If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins. Even if the father refuses the marriage, the man must pay the bride-price. The father's refusal is legitimate — he may judge the man unsuitable — but the economic harm done by the seduction still requires compensation. The woman's marriageability has been affected; the law ensures she and her family are not left worse off by the man's act. The law protects the woman's economic future even when the marriage cannot be remedied. Galatians 5:13 says do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh — the liberty available in the covenant community does not include the sexual taking of another person without covenant commitment.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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