Unlike the previous case, this transgression takes place in the open country, where a woman’s cry for help might not be heard. This is rape. A young man, either intending to rape, or to have sex with a betrothed woman, who sought a remote location for his transgression, would fear to be found out because the violated woman’s lack of virginity would become apparent on her wedding night. All she had to do was blame him, and he would be subject to whether or not the rulers of the city chose to believe her word.

Again, this statute was meant to discourage both violence and sexual promiscuity, thus protecting the dignity of sexual relations and the sanctity of marriage.

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.