If we consider the servants of God, it is noteworthy that God did not ask a single one of them about their family status. He took whoever He chose, whether married or not. Life circumstances of His messengers were as varied as life itself. We also read about those men who stood out in church history, for instance, about John Wesley who married a widow having four children, whose marriage was terrible. But there was not a single one who was perverse natured, homosexual or guilty of illicit practices.

It is only David of whom we read that he committed adultery, although he had many wives. He was also responsible for the death of the husband of Bathsheba. One cannot easily imagine how David had the courage to continue singing his songs, even though he then started with those deep psalms of repentance. It was confirmed that God’s gifts and calling are irreversible, and without repentance. Our Lord even gives Himself the honour to be called by the title »Son of David«. God permitted the transgression of David then, in the Old Testament, so that the triumph of grace and the forgiveness of sins could be demonstrated (Rom. 4:7-8). In any case, the Lord does not permit anyone to judge His servants. It is written and binding for ever to all, “Touch not mine anointed…“ (Ps. 105:15) and “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be held up; for God is able to make him stand“ (Rom. 14:4).

Enoch seems to be the only one who did not become personally guilty in any way. He had already seen the Lord coming and in the midst of His holy ten thousands to execute judgement (Jude), He was married, had sons and daughters and walked with God. At the age of 365 he was taken into Glory, but before his rapture this man of God had the testimony that he pleased the Lord. He, being the seventh from Adam, was a type of the Bride who is to be completed in this last church age upon whom God’s pleasure will rest. She will meet her heavenly Bridegroom without spot or wrinkle in all her beauty. We, who are alive and remain until the return of the Lord, will, just as Enoch, not taste death but shall be changed.

Noah was married, had three sons and was a preacher of righteousness. Through a humiliating experience of drunkenness he came to know about the consequences after having too much wine. When his son Ham saw his father uncovered he despised him, did not behave properly and made remarks which had consequences. When Noah came to himself after the intoxication, he uttered the prophetic words, “Cursed be Canaan!“ That was the son of Ham. There are sins which bring a curse with them, for it is written, “Cursed be he who dishonoreth his father or his mother.“ (Dt. 27:16). God is bound to every one of His Words. Even today such curses can be inherited by those who despise their father or mother. Blessed are the sons whom the father can lay hands upon like Jacob did.

Abraham was married to Sarah, took Hagar and married Ketura, with whom he had six children, after the death of Sarah.

Jacob had wives and concubines of which the patriarchs came from. Everything is written in detail and reported in our holy book, including that he loved Rachel more than Leah. God was not angry because he cheated his brother for the birthright, and He did not reprimand him for that, as he found grace in His sight, he was blessed. God looks upon the heart of His chosen ones and does not impute sin. From a supplanter and deceiver, He made someone who could wrestle with God, had a real break-through until the sun came up and a new day broke forth for him.

Moses had Zipporah to wife, and also took a Cushite woman. On this matter, Miriam, his sister, and Aaron, his brother, were very displeased and took their stand against him. This was humanly understandable, but before the law Giver it was an abomination. The Lord does not permit anyone in any way, to touch His anointed, not even a brother or a sister in flesh. Servants of God are not anybody’s private property, they do not have to answer to a family or a clan, they are in the highest ministry existing on earth. God did not reproof Moses, but was on his side and judged Miriam with leprosy. The words coming out of the mouth of God, and which Moses wrote down had to remain valid, “If he take him another wife…“ (Ex. 21:10). It is high time that we tame our tongues, so that our service unto the Lord is not in vain.

Elkana, the father of Samuel, had two wives, Hannah and Penina. Samuel was the one Hannah had prayed for and upon whom the blessings of God rested.

In the case of Gideon, we read that he had many wives and seventy homeborn sons. He performed mighty acts being in the service of the Lord, but then he also led Israel into idolatry.

Then we have all the amorous stories of Samson.

We do not know too much about other men of God, not even their family status. That shows how little God esteemed the earthly realm in comparison with the supernatural. About Isaiah who was the most important prophet in the Old Testament, in foretelling the plan of salvation, we only read, “And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Mahershalal-hashbaz.“ (Isa. 8:3). It is not recorded who this woman or prophetess was.

In the case of Jeremiah, we only know that the Lord had chosen him from his mother’s womb to be a prophet unto the nations. As a young man he was called to the ministry.

The prophet Ezekiel went into Babylonian captivity with his Jewish brethren. On one morning he had addressed the people and in the evening his wife died.

The Lord advised the prophet Hosea, “Go, take unto thee a wife of harlotry…“ (Hos. 1:2). The Lord could never have spoken in such a way, to a priest or a high priest because in His own law He said, that a priest who handles the food and the fire of God can only marry a virgin. This woman of harlotry gave birth to a son named Jezreel, and a daughter called Loruhamah and another son named Loammi. One can be more than astonished, for God had already written the history of Israel and the Church in advance in such a way (Rom 9:24-27).

In the New Testament also, we have a variation with the men of God. Apostle Peter was married, but Apostle Paul was not. In the case of the church, elders and deacons were required to be married — and be the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3 a. o.). But, there was no such a requirement for the apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. In this point also, we need to read God’s Word and apply it as it was meant when it was originally spoken. We must always take into consideration who is being addressed. Could it be that we all have to read the Holy Scripture once again and without preconception, but only reading in it what it actually say? Yes!

On the personal life of Peter we only find mentioned that his mother-in-law was sick with fever and the Lord healed her. In the case of most of the apostles, we do not know any personal life details. But it seems that Paul was at one time ready to speak out, “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? … Have we no right to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only, and Barnabas, have we no right to forbear working?“ (1 Cor. 9:1 + 5-6). We see that the brethren of the Lord, James and Jude, were also married. Paul mentions James as being the Lord’s brother in Gal. 1:19 and Jude refers to his brother James in the first verse of his epistle.

If we consider the servants of God, it is noteworthy that God did not ask a single one of them about their family status. He took whoever He chose, whether married or not. Life circumstances of His messengers were as varied as life itself. We also read about those men who stood out in church history, for instance, about John Wesley who married a widow having four children, whose marriage was terrible. But there was not a single one who was perverse natured, homosexual or guilty of illicit practices.

It is only David of whom we read that he committed adultery, although he had many wives. He was also responsible for the death of the husband of Bathsheba. One cannot easily imagine how David had the courage to continue singing his songs, even though he then started with those deep psalms of repentance. It was confirmed that God’s gifts and calling are irreversible, and without repentance. Our Lord even gives Himself the honour to be called by the title »Son of David«. God permitted the transgression of David then, in the Old Testament, so that the triumph of grace and the forgiveness of sins could be demonstrated (Rom. 4:7-8). In any case, the Lord does not permit anyone to judge His servants. It is written and binding for ever to all, “Touch not mine anointed…“ (Ps. 105:15) and “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be held up; for God is able to make him stand“ (Rom. 14:4).

Enoch seems to be the only one who did not become personally guilty in any way. He had already seen the Lord coming and in the midst of His holy ten thousands to execute judgement (Jude), He was married, had sons and daughters and walked with God. At the age of 365 he was taken into Glory, but before his rapture this man of God had the testimony that he pleased the Lord. He, being the seventh from Adam, was a type of the Bride who is to be completed in this last church age upon whom God’s pleasure will rest. She will meet her heavenly Bridegroom without spot or wrinkle in all her beauty. We, who are alive and remain until the return of the Lord, will, just as Enoch, not taste death but shall be changed.

Noah was married, had three sons and was a preacher of righteousness. Through a humiliating experience of drunkenness he came to know about the consequences after having too much wine. When his son Ham saw his father uncovered he despised him, did not behave properly and made remarks which had consequences. When Noah came to himself after the intoxication, he uttered the prophetic words, “Cursed be Canaan!“ That was the son of Ham. There are sins which bring a curse with them, for it is written, “Cursed be he who dishonoreth his father or his mother.“ (Dt. 27:16). God is bound to every one of His Words. Even today such curses can be inherited by those who despise their father or mother. Blessed are the sons whom the father can lay hands upon like Jacob did.

Abraham was married to Sarah, took Hagar and married Ketura, with whom he had six children, after the death of Sarah.

Jacob had wives and concubines of which the patriarchs came from. Everything is written in detail and reported in our holy book, including that he loved Rachel more than Leah. God was not angry because he cheated his brother for the birthright, and He did not reprimand him for that, as he found grace in His sight, he was blessed. God looks upon the heart of His chosen ones and does not impute sin. From a supplanter and deceiver, He made someone who could wrestle with God, had a real break-through until the sun came up and a new day broke forth for him.

Moses had Zipporah to wife, and also took a Cushite woman. On this matter, Miriam, his sister, and Aaron, his brother, were very displeased and took their stand against him. This was humanly understandable, but before the law Giver it was an abomination. The Lord does not permit anyone in any way, to touch His anointed, not even a brother or a sister in flesh. Servants of God are not anybody’s private property, they do not have to answer to a family or a clan, they are in the highest ministry existing on earth. God did not reproof Moses, but was on his side and judged Miriam with leprosy. The words coming out of the mouth of God, and which Moses wrote down had to remain valid, “If he take him another wife…“ (Ex. 21:10). It is high time that we tame our tongues, so that our service unto the Lord is not in vain.

Elkana, the father of Samuel, had two wives, Hannah and Penina. Samuel was the one Hannah had prayed for and upon whom the blessings of God rested.

In the case of Gideon, we read that he had many wives and seventy homeborn sons. He performed mighty acts being in the service of the Lord, but then he also led Israel into idolatry.

Then we have all the amorous stories of Samson.

We do not know too much about other men of God, not even their family status. That shows how little God esteemed the earthly realm in comparison with the supernatural. About Isaiah who was the most important prophet in the Old Testament, in foretelling the plan of salvation, we only read, “And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bore a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name Mahershalal-hashbaz.“ (Isa. 8:3). It is not recorded who this woman or prophetess was.

In the case of Jeremiah, we only know that the Lord had chosen him from his mother’s womb to be a prophet unto the nations. As a young man he was called to the ministry.

The prophet Ezekiel went into Babylonian captivity with his Jewish brethren. On one morning he had addressed the people and in the evening his wife died.

The Lord advised the prophet Hosea, “Go, take unto thee a wife of harlotry…“ (Hos. 1:2). The Lord could never have spoken in such a way, to a priest or a high priest because in His own law He said, that a priest who handles the food and the fire of God can only marry a virgin. This woman of harlotry gave birth to a son named Jezreel, and a daughter called Loruhamah and another son named Loammi. One can be more than astonished, for God had already written the history of Israel and the Church in advance in such a way (Rom 9:24-27).

In the New Testament also, we have a variation with the men of God. Apostle Peter was married, but Apostle Paul was not. In the case of the church, elders and deacons were required to be married — and be the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3 a. o.). But, there was no such a requirement for the apostles, prophets, teachers, etc. In this point also, we need to read God’s Word and apply it as it was meant when it was originally spoken. We must always take into consideration who is being addressed. Could it be that we all have to read the Holy Scripture once again and without preconception, but only reading in it what it actually say? Yes!

On the personal life of Peter we only find mentioned that his mother-in-law was sick with fever and the Lord healed her. In the case of most of the apostles, we do not know any personal life details. But it seems that Paul was at one time ready to speak out, “Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ, our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? … Have we no right to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only, and Barnabas, have we no right to forbear working?“ (1 Cor. 9:1 + 5-6). We see that the brethren of the Lord, James and Jude, were also married. Paul mentions James as being the Lord’s brother in Gal. 1:19 and Jude refers to his brother James in the first verse of his epistle.