Virginity was highly valued in the ancient world, and women were not to be poorly treated as sex objects. The courts of Israel, run by the priesthood, stood to defend the honour of the woman. The Israelite value that protected women stood in contrast to the culture of the ancient world. Moses is communicating an ideal society. Perhaps this society was never going to be realised, but that actually is not the point. The point is the laws reflect the characteristics of God and His desire for socially, psychologically and spiritually healthy people.
Led by Aaron Eime.
Notes for this study can be found at http://www.christchurchjerusalem.org/sermons/study-last-words-of-moses-deut/
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