Matthew 5.38-48

Here we see how the Law of God protects women. The only way judges could know that a betrothed woman had been assaulted in the open country would be by her testimony. She would be motivated to come forward in such a situation because, as a betrothed woman, her non-virgin status would soon enough be discovered, and then she might be subject to charges of whoring in Israel (Deut. 22.13-21).

Men, at the same time, would be motivated not to seduce young women “in the open country,” thinking that they might be able to get away with their dalliance. For what if the woman has a change of heart and claims she had been raped? The inclination of judges would be to defend her and to bring punishment upon the man.

The severity of the punishment for rape – the death penalty – would have also, in itself, served to protect women throughout the society. Rape was treated like premeditated murder, and the punishment is thus to be the same.

T. M. Moore

The Law of God is the soil which, fertilized by the rest of God’s Word and watered by His Spirit, brings forth the fruit of Christian life. If you’d like to understand this process better, and how to make best use of the Law in your walk with and work for the Lord, order the book, The Ground for Christian Ethics, from our online store.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.