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Exodus 22.16, 17
“If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins.”
Deuteronomy 22.28, 29
“If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days.”
Under the Law of God, premarital sex was to lead to marriage, contingent on the permission of the woman’s father. If the father refused to accept the young man who had lain with his daughter, then a fine was to be paid which would be equal to the normal dowry for a marriage.
These statutes seem designed to discourage the kind of premarital sexual activity which is so widespread in our society today. Illicit sex must lead either to marriage or a fine. Either way, a young man living in a community where these statutes were faithfully enforced would think twice about having sex with an unmarried woman.
God’s intention for sex is that it be reserved for marriage. He designed His Law to enforce that intention and to discourage profligate and premarital sexual relations.
We are now accepting registrations for the course, Spiritual Maturity 1: Revival. This free, six-session course by T. M. Moore allows you to study by yourself or with a mentor, and includes free resources from Patrick, Columbanus, Luther, and Edwards, among others. Visit The Ailbe Seminary for more information on this training opportunity.