Cross-dressing--In those days the only purpose for “cross-dressing” would have been to deceive

The ninth commandment

Deuteronomy 22.5

“‘A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God.’”

In those days the only purpose for “cross-dressing” would have been to deceive – either to conceal one’s true identity or to gain some advantage by being regarded as of a different sex. God made the sexes distinct, each with its own identity and function, as well as its own place in the divine economy. To dress as a member of the opposite sex would have been seen as questioning divine wisdom and seeking, for whatever reason, to circumvent or subvert the divine order.

When people cross-dress today deceit may not be the only motive, but it seems to be involved nonetheless. Anything which challenges or confuses the divine order and plan is to be avoided.

This series of In the Gates we present a detailed explanation of the Law of God, beginning with the Ten Commandments, and working through the statutes and rules that accompany each commandment. For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the practice of ethics, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.