The Lord God said, "it is not good for man to be alone," but...

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Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,183
9,267
113
#61
Let me see if I'm understanding you correctly. You expect an opinionated individual who has an opinion about something to agree and accept what someone else says SIMPLY bc the other person says it?? Is that what you're saying? Even though I disagree, you want me to state that I agree rather than saying that I disagree (and actually going into detail about why I disagree) and hope (unrealistically I see) that the other person will make a counterargument supported by the Word???
I don't object to you disagreeing with somebody. I object to you casually dismissing somebody else's opinion and acting as though the person is a total idiot.

Hmm, where could I find a good example of... Oh here's one!

Lol I'm expected to do research to support a statement that YOU made. Maybe you could support your arguments and not just make statements such as "soulmates is a pagan concept."
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,183
9,267
113
#62
Regarding your last statement that I will learn not to quote out of context with you -- you should make sure you understand what the words in the Scripture mean and that you fully comprehend what you are reading before making such statements.
cinder I do believe this is where I am contractually obligated to deliver an "I told you so." Contract specifies it is to be delivered in a smug, but not condescending, tone of voice. Unfortunately in a text-based communication medium you will have to imagine the tone of voice.

I told you so! :cool:
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,550
17,022
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Tennessee
#63
This is intriguing.

Post and Tourist, you are both married brothers in Christ... ?

What are you beliefs about the thought of God creating or predestining soulmates?

Do you feel your wife is your soulmate? Why or why not?


One thing is for sure. Even if Isaac and Rebekah WERE soulmates, it sure wasn't any kind of insurance policy against selfishness, bad decisions, and terrible consequences.

What if God told Isaac the day they met, "Yes, she's beautiful, but she's is going to favor a different son than you and deceive you to get what she wants for him, rather than the son you love most and the rightful heir. Her lies are eventually going to cost you a relationship with the younger of these two sons, and will result in bitter hatred between them and their descendants."

What if God told Rebekah when she met him for the first time, "Yes, he's wealthy. So much so that even his enemies envy him, because I am going to make him even more so. But, despite all his wealth, he is not going to protect you when you need it most. When men notice how beautiful you are, he is going to lie to them, leaving you vulnerable to their abuses, because he will value his own life more than yours."

Would Isaac and Rebekah have went ahead and gone through with the wedding if they knew this about each other from the start?

Soulmates or not, that's one marriage I know I wouldn't want if I were given a choice.
My belief is, that if so desired, that God can indeed find a suitable mate if the prayer for such is aligned with God's will and desire to be accomplished in the person's life in this regard.

There may have been a few instances that God had indeed predestined a marriage, but again, probably to fulfill prophecy. This may still be true today but again, to accomplish a specific purpose of God.

I believe in the power of prayer in allowing God to search and find the one of your heart's desire, but again, this, as with any prayer, must be aligned with the express will and desire of God.

What I believe happens in a lot of instances is that God can provide a suitable mate, but that mate is rejected out of fear of rejection or commitment. The one that God is willing to provide may also be rejected for other various reasons such as not meeting one's standard of physical appearance and is unwilling to give that person a chance.

You reach a point in life where you either know what you want, or you don't. I also believe that God has a sense of humor and will answer a prayer that is perhaps not in the best interest of the person that said the prayer. Paul did say that those that get married can expect problems during the marriage, problems that a single person may not face.

Soulmates? No, not really.

It has been my experience and observation that those that really want to settle down with a loving and faithful spouse will find a way to do it. Hopefully, by the grace of God. I have always said that entering into a prospective relationship is a calculated risk. Eventually, you have to shake the dice, let them fly and let the chips fall where they may.

The game of love is not for those that are timid or tentative.

That's just the way that it is.
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
13,052
10,616
113
#64
The Bible does mention soul mates, but it’s not the same idea that the world has created in terms of “finding the one.” Instead of looking for a “sole" mate, inquire of God’s wisdom to find the one He has for you. Rather than looking for a perfect match, be a perfect match. Remembering that true love is sacrificial love, not self-serving. It is patient and kind. It refuses to be envious boastful or proud. It honors others, is not irritable and let’s bygones be bygones. It always protects, trusts, hopes for the best and endures through every circumstance. So don’t get caught up in the hype. Submit your love life to God, find someone who loves The Lord and has these qualities and you will have found your “soul mate.”
 
S

sheborn2x

Guest
#65
oh?
what about Genesis 24:14?


Rebekkah is "the woman appointed by God to be Isaac's wife"
Thank you 🙂 this is what I was looking for… something in the Word that addresses this one way or the other. So question becomes is this an isolated occurrence or did He appoint a suitable helper for all believers who have the desire… obviously I’m leaning towards the latter
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,550
17,022
113
69
Tennessee
#66
The Bible does mention soul mates, but it’s not the same idea that the world has created in terms of “finding the one.” Instead of looking for a “sole" mate, inquire of God’s wisdom to find the one He has for you. Rather than looking for a perfect match, be a perfect match. Remembering that true love is sacrificial love, not self-serving. It is patient and kind. It refuses to be envious boastful or proud. It honors others, is not irritable and let’s bygones be bygones. It always protects, trusts, hopes for the best and endures through every circumstance. So don’t get caught up in the hype. Submit your love life to God, find someone who loves The Lord and has these qualities, and you will have found your “soul mate.”
I fully concur with your estimate. Your sense on this issue is right on target, especially the part of to submit your love life to God. At least that is what I did. My marriage to JesusLives is not perfect but she is the one of my heart's desire. God certainly answered my prayer in this regard.

"Now I know the woman that you are,
You're wonderful so far,
And it's more than I hoped for."

Yes, indeed.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,183
9,267
113
#67
Oh come on! Four pages and nobody has done the shoe joke yet? I thought it was a basic requirement for a soulmate thread.

*sigh

Fine. I'll do it myself.

My solemate is Whitin. Good shoes, moderately comfortable, and they have a zero-drop ratio so I can walk as though I was barefoot.
 

cinder

Senior Member
Mar 26, 2014
4,425
2,416
113
#68
cinder I do believe this is where I am contractually obligated to deliver an "I told you so." Contract specifies it is to be delivered in a smug, but not condescending, tone of voice. Unfortunately in a text-based communication medium you will have to imagine the tone of voice.

I told you so! :cool:
:p
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,424
5,371
113
#69
This thread has me thinking more and more about the concept of God creating one special soulmate for each of us and why it seems to have so many complications.

I understand the story of Isaac and Rebekah -- but to put it bluntly, they also put each other through hell. If theirs was supposed to be a match made in heaven, it certainly didn't play out that way.

And if God really does only create one specific soulmate for each person, what about:

1. The police officer at my childhood church who was shot and killed in the line of duty at age 37. He left behind a wife and 2 young boys (one of them sat behind me in study hall.) It was a huge deal because he was attending the church picnic when he got the call, so our church members were the last ones to see him alive.

If him and his wife were meant to be exclusive soulmates, was she never to marry again?

And what about the following stories in the Bible?

1. King David had 8 wives named in the Bible -- but it also tells us that he had other wives and concubines in addition.

Which one was his specifically God-created and predestined soulmate?

2. Everyone knows about Abraham's wife Sarah, the mother of Isaac. But after Sarah died, Abraham took a second wife, Keturah, and had children with her as well.

Which wife was Abraham's soulmate, Sarah or Keturah?

3. Judah, one of the Jacob's sons (the 12 Tribes of Israel, from which we get the Lion of Judah,) had a firstborn son, Er, whom Judah found a wife for and her name was Tamar.

But the Bible says Er did evil, and God put him to death. So it was the custom that the next brother would marry the widow and have children in his brother's name. From this, we get the infamous story of Onan, which is another discussion in itself. But Onan didn't learn from his brother's example, did evil in the sight of the Lord, and was killed as well.

Long story short, Judah was supposed to give the last brother to Tamar but he refused, and she had to trick him into sleeping with her before he would let the last brother marry her.

Which of the three brothers would have then been Tamar's soulmate?

4. Likewise, out of all the thousand+ women Solomon had, which one would have been his designated soulmate, and how would he have known?

The Bible seems to have more stories like these than that of Adam and Eve or Isaac and Rebekah.

Again, I'm not ruling out the possibility of soulmates, but it seems that instances like this were either extremely rare, or else many Biblical figures got things wrong by either adding in numbers to their God-given soulmate, or they never found that person because they were too busy marrying just about everyone else instead.
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,180
2,487
113
#70
This thread has me thinking more and more about the concept of God creating one special soulmate for each of us and why it seems to have so many complications.

I understand the story of Isaac and Rebekah -- but to put it bluntly, they also put each other through hell. If theirs was supposed to be a match made in heaven, it certainly didn't play out that way.

And if God really does only create one specific soulmate for each person, what about:

1. The police officer at my childhood church who was shot and killed in the line of duty at age 37. He left behind a wife and 2 young boys (one of them sat behind me in study hall.) It was a huge deal because he was attending the church picnic when he got the call, so our church members were the last ones to see him alive.

If him and his wife were meant to be exclusive soulmates, was she never to marry again?

And what about the following stories in the Bible?

1. King David had 8 wives named in the Bible -- but it also tells us that he had other wives and concubines in addition.

Which one was his specifically God-created and predestined soulmate?

2. Everyone knows about Abraham's wife Sarah, the mother of Isaac. But after Sarah died, Abraham took a second wife, Keturah, and had children with her as well.

Which wife was Abraham's soulmate, Sarah or Keturah?

3. Judah, one of the Jacob's sons (the 12 Tribes of Israel, from which we get the Lion of Judah,) had a firstborn son, Er, whom Judah found a wife for and her name was Tamar.

But the Bible says Er did evil, and God put him to death. So it was the custom that the next brother would marry the widow and have children in his brother's name. From this, we get the infamous story of Onan, which is another discussion in itself. But Onan didn't learn from his brother's example, did evil in the sight of the Lord, and was killed as well.

Long story short, Judah was supposed to give the last brother to Tamar but he refused, and she had to trick him into sleeping with her before he would let the last brother marry her.

Which of the three brothers would have then been Tamar's soulmate?

4. Likewise, out of all the thousand+ women Solomon had, which one would have been his designated soulmate, and how would he have known?

The Bible seems to have more stories like these than that of Adam and Eve or Isaac and Rebekah.

Again, I'm not ruling out the possibility of soulmates, but it seems that instances like this were either extremely rare, or else many Biblical figures got things wrong by either adding in numbers to their God-given soulmate, or they never found that person because they were too busy marrying just about everyone else instead.
Then there is the whole theology that God allows you to grow in Christ to be able to have a good relationship with someone...so long as you choose well.

Joseph and Mary were specifically chosen. (You forgot them)
But they were to be parents for Jesus.

To think that God has someone special or specifically chosen for you is to claim God NEEDS you. Meaning that you are likely suffering from the sin of pride/Vanity. (Wayyyyy too common)

But that doesn't mean that God doesn't bless marriages. He most certainly has and will. Seen Him do it in my life and others repeatedly.

"Out of the abundance in a person's heart flows what is there. Good fruit doesn't come from bad trees"
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,183
9,267
113
#71
Let's not even talk about all the soulmates Solomon had...
 

GardenofWeeden

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2018
411
370
63
The Garden of Weeden
#74
Exactly my thoughts... I believe man can get it wrong. But, I think there's someone predetermined by God or we wouldn't have to be in the right place at the right time to meet the someone.
My problem in thinking like this, is why would God, who knows the end from the beginning, predetermine someone for us, KNOWING we won't pick that person. Who knows, maybe He is into that, but I am not convinced.



I don't believe remarrying would be useless since the Bible addresses this. To make sense of what I'm saying, I would "think" there are ppl waiting for their spouses bc their spouses are now married to someone else who will die and leave the person widowed. I feel like all of it would have been part of God's plan... but the individuals would have still been predetermined by God as the ones He selected for them. Otherwise, it would suggest to me that a person who will die young(er) should not marry and leave his/her spouse widowed... I think remarrying is good, but God has predetermined the person one should remarry... just a thought.
Possibly, but that spouse, that one is waiting for to become a widow, might believe they are currently married to their soulmate, and just forgo remarriage completely, or not be interested in the one waiting. The one waiting is waiting in vain then. I can't see God setting anyone up like that. Again, He might be into that, but I am not convinced.
 

GardenofWeeden

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2018
411
370
63
The Garden of Weeden
#75
Oh come on! Four pages and nobody has done the shoe joke yet? I thought it was a basic requirement for a soulmate thread.

*sigh

Fine. I'll do it myself.

My solemate is Whitin. Good shoes, moderately comfortable, and they have a zero-drop ratio so I can walk as though I was barefoot.
*groan* I was hoping no one would make the leap from "Soul" to "Sole".
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
6,180
2,487
113
#77
*groan* I was hoping no one would make the leap from "Soul" to "Sole".
See....in the meantime we are trying to hook @seoulsearch and @Lynx up with a new boyfriend/girlfriend that they won't like while they are unaware of the manipulation the whole time.

So....we need to get back to the regularly scheduled manipulation.

Bap puns come with the romantic interest....some sort of law or something.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,550
17,022
113
69
Tennessee
#79
Can we discuss the concubines?
It is obviously that Solomon did not have a soulmate(s) but hundreds of wives and concubines. In the end these women led to his demise as he was no longer following God but many other gods. He may have been the wisest man to ever live but he was also the most foolish of men.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,183
9,267
113
#80
See....in the meantime we are trying to hook @seoulsearch and @Lynx up with a new boyfriend/girlfriend that they won't like while they are unaware of the manipulation the whole time.

So....we need to get back to the regularly scheduled manipulation.

Bap puns come with the romantic interest....some sort of law or something.
Oh great. Thanks for the warning.

*Lynx goes off to prepare his flamethrower. Again.