Bible Study March 19

March 19, 2023

From chapters 21 to 23 of Deuteronomy we see various laws given further explanation.

Chapter 21 –

No detail of the Israelites life was missed by God. The cold case of an unsolved murder required a sacrifice because life was precious to God and the victim’s blood had to be atoned for. Next involved a woman who a soldier wanted to marry she had to undergo both a physical and spiritual ritual to separate her from her former life. A provision was also made for divorce if the husband was not pleased with his wife. He was not to hurt her in any way.

Discussion of marriage to a foreign captive led to another marriage issue, the case of polygamy and fathering sons by more than one wife. Polygamy was tolerated in Old Testament times but it was never God’s plan for marriage. Culturally doing always led to problems for God’s children.

Next Moses dealt with another family situation. It’s important to understand that this passage is not advocating the death for mere juvenile delinquency. However, for a habitual delinquent the bottom line here is if a young man refused to submit to the Lord as his King and to his parents as his God-ordained authority the elders were to recognize the seriousness of his sin and stone the rebel to purge the evil from Israel.

Chapter 22 –

Moses continues in the chapter tot each on a variety of other subjects. To care for the brothers ox or any other object that had been lost. Then there was to prohibition against a woman wearing male clothing and vice versa is a reminder of the gender distinction the God designed. The gender confusion today is certainly a clear rejection of God’s good design. IN many places homosexuality and transgenderism is promoted by the school systems, this is rebellion against God.

The common theme in these verses is the mixing of unlike things. Paul uses a similar idea to Do not plow with an ox and a donkey. His point here is to warn believers about entering into relationships with unbelievers. The verb Paul uses means “unequally yoked.”

The tassels are meant to remind them of God’s laws.

Given human sinfulness God knew there would be martial problems. So he gave Moses’ regulations to be applied in the case of a husband who came to hate his wife, accused her of shameful conduct, and gave her a bad name by claiming she wasn’t a virgin when they married. If that were true, she was to come under the death penalty. Sexual immorality of any nature was forbidden.

Marriage is a sacred institution created by God and is to be revered and holy. Adultery by married people under Mosaic law was a capital offense. Rape too was a capital offense if the victim was engaged. IF she wasn’t the perpetrator had to pay the victim’s father a fine, marry the woman, and live with her fort he rest of his life because he had stolen her virginity.

Chapter 23 –

The prohibition here that is included against a eunuch participating in worship when the people gathered in the tabernacle was not a matter of personal sin; it was a ceremonial rule meant to teach Israel perfection before the Lord.

Cult prostitution was prevalent in Canaan, so Moses had to continually warn Israel not to be tempted by the lifestyle or patronize the Canaanite lifestyle. Furthermore they were not to bring prostitute’s wages into the house of the Lord. They were not to charge interest on a loan. They were not to take advantage of a neighbor in his vineyard or his or standing grain however it was acceptable to eat grapes or the heads of grain but he could not use a sickle.