RESTORATION
Having discussed briefly choice and seduction, let's see what the Bible says concerning the institution of marriage due to rape. Society has been influenced through the law courts and media that this is a crime, rather than a marital institution or both. However, if the female is a virgin and she is not pledged to a man, she is considered a wife in God's sight. The man can not divorce her ever (Dt. 22:28, 29).
The Biblical precept of marriage is a physical sexual act between a virgin female and a male (Ex. 22:16; Dt. 22:13-21, 28, 29): not a mere contract--once again I recommend that you see my paper "Illusion." Sexual fornication is a physical sex act which results in unchastity whereas marriage does not; and adultery is a species of fornication. A woman was condemned to death in the O.T. for an unchaste act such as promiscuity while still living in her father's house (Dt. 22:21); and both offenders were condemned to death for adultery (Dt. 22:22). These strict laws were designed by God to purge the evil from the land. The Lord wanted to free the people from sexual uncleanliness. These laws are still useful today (I Tim. 1:8-11).
However, condemnation to death did not continue in the early church; although, righteousness, inheritance, vengeance and the eternal judgment of God was preached. Before David became king of Israel he had enemies among God's people and those that were not God's people against him. Pressure was upon him, and great numbers tried to prevent him from inheriting the good things that he did (I Sa. 26:19). Beware, the wicked try to destroy the good inheritance of the righteous, the innocent and those that would come unto God. Paul warned that there were some men troubling the church and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Then he gave his judgment: "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:7, 8). Take heed: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom? Be not deceived: neither [fornicators] ... nor [adulterers]"--people who live in sexual immorality are not able to be saved except they should repent (I Cor. 6:9).
In Ezra's day there was a terrible sin among God's people. They had married foreign wives against the law of God. Today, there is a similar sin in the church against God's marital establishment and covenant: Sexual uncleanliness is widespread. Many of the popular leaders called "Christian" condone and promote this abomination among those that call upon God.
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[Note: According to the Old Testament, when rape of a virgin occurs, she is required to marry1 the rapist. (Please acknowledge this rule did not violate the genetic, race prescription in Nu: 36:5-13. Also, note the intolerance of the attempted, inter-racial marriage of Dinah, and the sharing of posterity of Ishmael by Sarah. Racial and cultural homogeneity is expected to be preserved.) This sexual assault may have been considered a great loss to the female victim, but if the sexual aggressor was a boyfriend or someone that the father accepted as a good man but just couldn't handle his sexual appetite at the time, he may have been obligated to approve it. Nevertheless, the father has the authority2 to finalize the decision as to marriage according to particular circumstances of seduction.] |
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Whole document Other Literature About the Hesedken Learn NT. Greek Visit Morality Hall Working together Non-Hesedken site: The Nordish Crisis |