I have questions about God...

A friend texted in and said... 

I have questions about God based on my readings of the Old Testament so far:

1. Why did God okay having multiple wives and concubines? Nowhere in the many laws talks about adultery

2. Why was it okay for the Israelites to put their enemies under forced labour? Why was slavery a thing?

3. It was said that if someone killed someone by mistake, they would seek refuge in the city of refuge until the offended party died, lest he avenged his murdered relative. Why was avenging even a thing? Why was it allowed?

4. I have forgotten the 4th one.


In response I wrote;


1. Did God approve of multiple wives and concubines?

Short answer: No—God did not design or command it. From the beginning, God’s design for marriage was clear: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24


One man. One woman. One union.


So where did polygamy come from? - Human beings.

As societies developed, people began creating their own systems—polygamy, concubinage, wife inheritance—not because God commanded them, but because people chose them. Scripture is honest about this. It does not hide the failures of its heroes.


David, though called a man after God’s heart, had multiple wives—and it brought disorder into his household (see 2 Samuel).

Solomon multiplied wives for political alliances: “He had 700 wives… and his wives turned away his heart.” — 1 Kings 11:3

That is not approval—that is warning.

Even earlier, Abraham takes Hagar not because God told him to, but because of pressure and impatience (Genesis 16). The result? Conflict.


So the pattern is clear: God permits human choices to play out, but He does not endorse them. Later, the law even cautions kings: “He shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.” — Deuteronomy 17:17


So no—God did not “okay” it.

He recorded it, and allowed its consequences to teach.


2. Why was slavery allowed? Why forced labor?

This one needs honesty.

Slavery did not begin with God—it was already a human cultural system. People wanted cheap labor and slavery provided that. But here’s where something important happens: God steps into that broken system and begins to regulate and humanize it.


In other nations, slaves were property. In Israel, they were treated as persons.


For example:

  • Slaves were to rest on the Sabbath: “The seventh day is a Sabbath… you shall not do any work… you, or your son… or your male servant or your female servant.” — Exodus 20:10
  • They were to be treated with dignity: “You shall not rule over him ruthlessly but shall fear your God.” — Leviticus 25:43
  • They could not be kidnapped into slavery: “Whoever steals a man and sells him… shall be put to death.” — Exodus 21:16
  • They were to be released (in many cases): “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release.” — Deuteronomy 15:1


So what is God doing?


Not endorsing slavery—but dismantling its cruelty gradually. Think of it this way: God meets humanity where it is, then starts moving it toward where it should be.


By the time you reach the New Testament, the trajectory is clear: “There is neither slave nor free… for you are all one.” — Galatians 3:28


3. Why was avenging allowed? Why cities of refuge?

Because anger is real.

If someone kills your relative—even by accident—the natural human response is retaliation. God does not ignore that reality. He regulates it to prevent greater evil.

That’s where the cities of refuge come in: “He shall flee to one of these cities and live.” — Deuteronomy 19:5


These cities were not loopholes—they were protection systems and they protected two people:

1. The one who killed accidentally (from mob justice)

2. The avenger (from committing murder in anger)


It’s actually very practical—even today. Think of a road accident. If someone dies, the driver may run—not because they’re guilty, but because the crowd may react violently. So they go to a police station. That’s a modern “city of refuge.”

God was not promoting revenge—He was containing it and even in the law, there were limits: “You shall not take vengeance… but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” — Leviticus 19:18


So again, we see the pattern: God works within human reality—but directs it toward justice, not chaos.


4. The forgotten question 😄

We’ll leave that one in peace by pleading the fifth.


On divorce and remarriage... https://mapstage.blogspot.com/2026/04/on-divorce-remarriage-gods-will.html

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