"The nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or elsewhere, their nakedness you shall not uncover" (Leviticus 18:9). The consequence of this law is "If a man takes his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a wicked thing. And they shall be cut off in the sight of their people. He has uncovered his sister's nakedness. He shall bear his guilt" (Leviticus 20:17).
It seems that many (especially nonbelievers) are confused by the story of creation. For example, the following comment was recently posted on Yahoo Answers:
"Adam and Eve produce children that marry and have kids. That sounds like incest to me. Here's a bunch more incest in the Bible: http://listverse.com/2008/05/26/top-6-incestuous-relationships-in-the-bible/"
The restriction on marrying near relatives changed as the world aged. In the beginning, the world was created in perfect condition. "Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good" (Genesis 1:31). There were no genetic defects to plague mankind at this time. Hence, Adam married Eve even though she was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam (Genesis 2:21-24). However, Adam and Eve sinned which opened the door for death and decay (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12). The decay did not come immediately, but gradually. Adam and Eve's children married each other (Genesis 5:1-4). After all, there were no other humans. Eve was the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20). And Paul points out that all of mankind come from one blood. "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings" (Acts 17:26).
As time progresses, we find Abram married to his half-sister (Genesis 20:11-12). Jacob married two sisters (Genesis 29:21-28). But by the time the Law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai, detailed restrictions were placed on sexual relations between near of kin. The rules are found in Leviticus 18:6-18. A person was not allowed to marry or to have sex with:
Her father
His mother
His step-mother
His sister
Her brother
His half-sister
Her half-sister
His granddaughter
Her grandson
His step-sister
Her step-sister
His aunt (by blood or marriage)
Her uncle (by blood or marriage)
His daughter-in-law
Her son-in-law
His sister-in-law
Her brother-in-law
Any woman and her daughter together
Any woman and her sister together
However, notice that cousins did not make the list; they could marry.
With all this being said, the most important thing for anyone is not judgement, but instead, to find and receive Jesus Christ.
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" (John 3:17).
"That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved" (Romans 10:9).
When we repent and receive, turn our lives over, to Jesus Christ - He forgives us of our sins and brings us into right relationship with God.
The Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ gives us power to turn from our wicked ways and walk in righteousness.
Let us pray that all of us "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).
Blessings!
Source Credit: http://lavistachurchofchrist.org/LVanswers/2004/2004-09-25b.htm
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