We have been looking at sexual love from the beginning. Our series started with Genesis 1, the creation of man and woman. Today, we look at what the Bible says about prostitution. While it may not be a popular subject, it is mentioned in the Bible nonetheless.
Our verse of the day comes from Deuteronomy 23:17-18.
“None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, and none of the sons of Israel shall be a cult prostitute. You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord our God.”
Let’s dig in.
A dog is a male prostitute. At first glance, the use of the word “dog” is confusing, but when you look it up in Hebrew terms, you see the intended meaning of the word. The Jews would be familiar with the term, dog for this context.
Daughters and sons of Israel were to keep themselves pure. They should not seek employment as a cult prostitute. The practice was an abomination to the Lord.
The author Moses also states that any fee income or wages from prostitution should not be presented as an offering to the Lord. The reason was the same as above – the practice of prostitution was an abomination to the Lord.
Fast forward to 21st Century
Is prostitution still seen as abominable to the Lord? I believe the answer to that question is yes.
Revelation 22:15 says, “Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.”
There’s our word again – dog. However, in this context, it means those who refuse to repent and turn to Christ in faith. It’s a term applied to all types of ceremonially impure persons.
Some could argue that the passage from Deuteronomy is no longer valid because that was under the Old Covenant, and we are living under the New Covenant, so prostitution, strip clubs, and brothels are acceptable today. They are no longer an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.
However, we can’t ignore the very last chapter in the last book of the Bible, Revelation 22, verse 15, where sexual immorality is among the other things listed as a warning. The sexually immoral are standing outside the gate of the city when Jesus returns.
Don’t shoot the messenger.
I am sharing what God’s word says about prostitution.
Jesus spoke the words in Revelation 22:12-16, where he offers both an invitation and a warning. If sexual immorality is acceptable to God in the 21st Century, then the warning in Revelation 22 is worthless.
Please consider this – what Jesus says is not worthless, and if it is in the Bible, we should pay attention and act accordingly.
Next time we’re together, we will look at what the Bible has to say about incest.
Blessings.
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