What are the consequences of ignoring God's commands in Exodus 22:17? The Command in Focus “ ‘If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay an amount equal to the bride price for virgins.’ ” (Exodus 22:17) Immediate Civil Consequence • Financial restitution: The man must pay the full bride-price even if denied the privilege of marriage. • Loss of desired relationship: He forfeits the right to marry the woman; the father’s veto stands. • Public accountability: Refusal to pay placed the offender under Israel’s judicial system (cf. Deuteronomy 22:28-29). Relational Consequences • Broken trust with the woman’s family—dishonor replaces what should have been honor. • Strained future alliances; the man’s reputation suffers within the community. • Potential lifelong reminder of wrongdoing through the financial loss. Moral and Spiritual Consequences • Sin against God’s holiness: disregarding the statute equals rebellion (Leviticus 18:29). • Personal guilt before the Lord until repentance and restitution occur (Psalm 32:3-4). • Possible divine discipline in this life and certain judgment if unrepentant (Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Community-Wide Impact • Undermining family authority; the father’s role is devalued. • Erosion of sexual purity standards, leading to societal instability. • Example that influences others—sin tolerated becomes sin repeated (Galatians 5:9). New Testament Echoes • The principle of restitution remains (Luke 19:8). • Sexual sin still demands accountability (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6). • Ignoring God’s commands invites serious, sometimes irreversible consequences, both now and in eternity (Romans 14:12). |
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