If he marries another woman, he must not deprive the first one of her food, clothing and marital rights. The obligation to the first wife is maintained even if the man takes a second wife. The three things he cannot deprive her of — food, clothing, marital rights — are the three basic obligations of a husband. The law does not endorse polygamy but regulates it: if it occurs, the first wife's rights are protected absolutely. 1 Timothy 5:8 says if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. The principle of Exodus 21:10 — the obligation to provide for those entrusted to your care cannot be transferred away — runs through the entire biblical ethics of household responsibility.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse