Yes, keeping the law literally means keeping the law physically- like they did in the Old Testament. Jesus nailed that way (the written code) to the cross. Now we fulfill the same law spiritually instead of physically. You cannot be under Moses and Christ at the same time. (Romans 7:1-4). Anyone who lives under Moses' authority denies Christ's authority- for ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Christ (Matthew. 28:18), and we are to obey Christ only (Matthew 17:3-5). And Christ told the apostles to write down what He commanded them to (New Testament scripture). So when we obey the New Testament we are obeying Christ.
I think we have historical examples of this in our own country. There was many a soldier that came back from WWII and Vietnam with wives from those countries. Whether or not they shaved their head etc. who knows. But regardless, there would definitely be a need to mourn their previous life.
At any rate, it would be a hard scripture to apply physically in a perfect way. But the spiritual applications are certainly there.
Can you be bought for a price and not have sold your soul?
well... the Europe and Vietnam wives came willingly, didn't they? they weren't among the captives...
You'd have to ask them that personally. But I don't think all of them came willingly. But again, I can't say confidently either.
The other thing to consider is that the act of taking a wife in this way and the command for it isn't a mandatory command. It's a if/then command. "If" you do this, "then" do this. When Israel went to war and took wives, they were protecting them in a sense since the women would have no country or provision otherwise. That isn't the always the case today.
Regardless, my stance with the Laws of Moses is that ALL of them are applicable physically and/or spiritually. Whether this can be done physically today is a touchy subject. But look again at what I said a spiritual understanding of it could be.
Take it a step further, though....
Who else could be a woman in a city that was destroyed, who was taken as a bride for the conquerors? WE once were alienated from God and lived a different life that was in opposition to Him. But He conquered our sin and death, and took US as His bride. We had to make a conscious decision to leave or old life behind and change our lifestyle, and maybe even mourn it. But we are now the Bride of Messiah!
Spiritually, aren't we that same bride?
well... if you don't know how American soldiers were marrying women in Europe or 'Nam, then that can't be used as an example, IMO
we were held captive by sin, and we made the choice to marry Christ. but here, the woman is captured by the law keeper and has no choice but to marry him.
I don't see why it needs to be a touchy subject, if God said it, that should settle it.
do you mean follow the law, and make modifications as needed to fit the culture?
I think you might misunderstand those who keep the law.
Here are a few facts.
The law as a whole was given to Israel at a curtain time. ...
My point is that no one can say for sure what the motivations and situations are. And I like I admitted, I don't know completely either.
It would be "touchy" in how that instruction would be played out practically. There are a lot of God's commands that would "touchy" to implement today.
And I agree that if God said it, that should settle it. But in your post, you're questioning what that would like. Couldn't you also say to yourself, "If God said it, that should settle it."
I don't think we should modify or change God's Law according to individual cultures. The way they are practically lived out in that culture is a different issue.