ADULT STS LESSON 149 THE BLESSING OF THE TRIBES AND DEATH OF MOSES

ADULT STS LESSON 145 MISCELLANEOUS LAWS

MEMORY VERSE:For the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee” (Deuteronomy 23:14). 

 

TEXT: Deuteronomy chapters 23 to 25

 

The chapters under consideration highlight sundry laws on worship, interpersonal relationship, environmental cleanliness, immorality, divorce and family life. Some of the laws also touch on vows, business ethics, charity, human trafficking, leprosy and equity in the administration of justice. Laws are meant to show us what is right and wrong, acceptable and unacceptable. God’s laws are diametrically opposed to some human laws in various cultures, races and nations. They supersede all laws made by humans, and their purpose is to enthrone godly and peaceful society. When these laws are obeyed, God’s blessings and prosperity are unleashed upon people. “And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 28:1,2).

 

LAWS ON WORSHIP, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE (Deuteronomy 23:1-14; Nehemiah 13:1-3; Isaiah 56:3- S: John 4:23,24; Deuteronomy 23:15,16; Exodus 22:21; Leviticus 15:3-5,15-18)

 

These laws specifically categorise individuals that are either included or excluded from active participation in corporate worship. They are the eunuchs, the bastards, the Ammonites and the Moabites (Deuteronomy 23:1- 3). In the first category were the castrated or otherwise mutilated eunuchs and bastards. The second category were the Ammonites and Moabites. It is important to note that these regulations were not meant to utterly forbid people of other nationalities from interacting with God’s people or residing among them, either as strangers or captives-turned wives (Deuteronomy 21:10-13). Rather, it implies a denial of full citizenship, privileges of marriage and leadership In Israel. But if such a person keeps God’s commands, the full import of these restrictions would be waved, like in the case of Ruth (Isaiah 56:3-8; Ruth 1:16; 4:13-22; John 1:12).

The stipulated conditions for admittance were necessary because of the peculiar status of Israel. As God’s acclaimed firstborn, the people and their land were specially favoured. Therefore, to avoid the tendency of corrupt influences from those idolatrous nations, it was necessary to screen those to be admitted into their commonwealth. In the New Testament however, Christ’s sacrifice has taken away the restrictions placed by the Law. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us… There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:14,15; Galatians 3:28). Accordingly, believers are freed to serve the Lord as long as they are spiritually and morally qualified, and physically healthy (Acts 10:34,35). The Lord also expects purity from all who worship Him and wants us to keep personal hygiene as we worship Him. He hates all forms of uncleanness, untidy environment, conduct and lifestyle that repel His presence and power (Deuteronomy 23:14).

 

LAWS ON PROSTITUTION, DIVORCE AND FAMILY LIFE (Deuteronomy 23:17,18; 24:1-5; 25:5-10; Matthew 19:3-9; Malachi 2:15,16; Jeremiah 3:1; Leviticus 19:29: Proverbs 2:15,16; Luke 16:18; 1 Corinthians 7:10)

 

God particularly warned the Israelites against the heathen practice of prostitution. “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel” (Deuteronomy 23:17). Prostitution was common in pagan worship, but was not to find any place in Israel. Even the price of whoredom was prohibited from being brought before the Lord. “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God” (Deuteronomy 23:18). Believers are not expected to be involved in prostitution publicly or secretly in their homes. Anyone who engages in the vice is a sinner and should repent and desist from such acts before it is too late. Beside the health hazards, public shame, humiliation and injury it poses, it is highly detestable by God.

As for divorce, Moses gave the Israelites the injunction as a provisional law. “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house” (Deuteronomy 24:1). This law allowed a man who wishes to divorce his wife to write a certificate of divorce and send her out of his house. Then, after departing from a man’s house, she was free to remarry; but if her second marriage was dissolved, due to either divorce or death of the latter husband, the former husband who divorced first, was not permitted to marry her again (Deuteronomy 24:3,4). However, it should be noted that in the New Testament, Jesus explained that this permission to divorce one’s wife was given because of the hardness of the hearts of the people and it was not the original plan of God.

“And he answered and said unto them, Have not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?… They unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so” (Matthew 19:4-8). Jesus clearly pointed out that this law of divorce was an anomaly and only provisional. Right from the original institution of marriage in Genesis, it was not God’s plan for one to divorce his or her spouse. The fundamental plan of God for marriage is that couples should make a lifelong commitment to each other. Once God has joined them together, they should not be put apart by anyone, no matter their status. Even in the Old Testament dispensation where the law permitted divorce, God clearly declared that He hates the putting away of one’s spouse (Malachi 2:15,16). Thus, divorce should not be seen as solution to marital challenges.

Rather, couples should handle their differences through prayer, dialogue, mutual forgiveness, forbearance and willingness to make necessary adjustments so that their marriage will endure. Another aspect of Israel’s communal life was the practice of levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5). This is the practice whereby a man must marry the widow of his childless brother in order to raise an heir for him. Ruth was involved in this kind of marriage after the death of her husband (Ruth 1:11-13; 3:4-13; 4:1-13; Genesis 38:6-10). This practice was necessary in the Old Testament because much emphasis was on the continuity of family line and inheritance of land in Israel.

However, under the New Testament dispensation, the emphasis is no longer on the perpetuation of our natural descendants but having eternal life. Believers should note that levirate, polygamy, polyandry and same- sex (gay or lesbian) marriages are all abominations before the Lord and anyone who indulges in any of them stands the risk of spending eternity in hell. The door of repentance is open to those who indulge in these sinful practices to turn to God and accept His offer of redemption. The acceptable kind of marriage before God is monogamy: one man, one wife (Matthew 19:4,5).

 

LAWS ON BUSINESS ETHICS, VOWS, CHARITY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING (Deuteronomy 23:19-25; 24:6,7,10-15; 25:4, 13-16; 1 John 3:17; Job 22:5,6; Ruth 2:2-23; Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36)

 

“When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge. Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee. And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge” (Deuteronomy 24:10-12). God’s love for Israel is unique; little wonder He regulated their civil and religious lives. Among these were laws that prohibit oppression of the poor, especially towards those who sought loans from their richer benefactors. As a sacred obligation to God, the lenders were expected to demonstrate some kindness to the poor and the purpose was to promote good neighbourliness and peaceful co-existence. Lenders were required to show some consideration and compassion while demanding collateral to secure a loan. They were not to confiscate basic essentials such as the upper millstone or the outer garment.

The upper millstone was used to grind food for the family and the outer garment was used to cover the body against cold at night. Therefore, to take these items as collateral for a loan was to deprive the poor borrower of things that were necessary for his or her survival and God condemns such practices. “If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? And it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious” (Exodus 22:26,27). Another law in our text concerns labour related issues. Employers are forbidden from taking undue advantage of their employees, either by delaying or denying them their legitimate payment for services rendered (Leviticus 19:13). As believers, we must remember that showing kindness to the poor attracts God’s blessing but oppressing them will incur His displeasure.

“Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee” (Deuteronomy 24:14,15). Sandwiched between these laws is the accent on vows. As much as an Israelite was expected to be loyal to his neighbours, greater commitment and loyalty were demanded of him in his dealing with the almighty God. Therefore, no Israelite was obliged to vow. But when he vowed, he must keep the words of his vow. In cases where the vow had been made rashly, he must obtain an honourable means of releasing himself from such a rash vow. Believers must realise that a vow is an act of faith and should not be made by impulse. There are accompanying blessings when vows are redeemed. On the other hand, unredeemed vows attract God’s displeasure. “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed. Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6). It is better not to vow at all than to vow and not fulfil it. People like Jacob, Jephthah, Hannah and David made vows and fulfilled their vows. “If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you” (Deuteronomy 24:7). Human life was sacred in Israel; hence, manstealing (kidnapping) of a fellow Israelite to sell him into slavery was abominable and a capital crime against humanity.

 

LAWS ON EQUITY IN THE DISCHARGE OF JUSTICE AND ON LEPROSY (Deuteronomy 24:16-22; 25:1- 3,11,12,17-19; 19:17-19; Ezekiel 18:2,3,19,20; 44:24; 24:8,9; Numbers 12:10,15)

 

“The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin” (Deuteronomy 24:16). This law commenced the dispensation of individual responsibility whereby every Israelite became answerable to their sin. The law stipulates that the father would not be held liable for the sin of the son and vice-versa. Saints and sinners are answerable to God for the life they live on earth. “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (Ezekiel 18:20). Finally, the law on leprosy demanded that any Israelite alleged to have contracted leprosy disease should submit to the examination of priests and Levites.

The import of this was to contain the spread of contagious diseases among the congregation. This law was exemplified in the case of Miriam in the wilderness when she was afflicted with leprosy (Numbers 12:10- 14). Miriam was isolated from the camp until her recovery. Sin is like leprosy. As a leper is usually isolated, so is the sinner separated from God. Sinners and backsliders must repent and be restored if they want to be counted among God’s people.

 

Questions for review:

  1. Why were some categories of people excluded from the congregation of Israel?
  2. Explain how believers who are not Israelites by birth acquired the liberty to worship God freely.
  3. What is the scriptural teaching on Christian marriage?
  4.  Explain why Moses gave the Old Testament’s bill of divorcement and what Christ expects of married believers.
  5. From the study, what is the scriptural standard for employer-employee relationship?
  6. What should be a believer’s attitude towards vow?
  7. Explain the principle of equity in divine justice.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

LA CHARGE ET LE CHANT D'ADIEU DE MOÏSE, Sondez Leçon 148 Previous post LE CARACTÈRE SACRÉ DE LA VIE ET DES VALEURS FAMILIALES, Sondez Leçon 144
YOUTH STS LESSON 149 THE BLESSINGS OF THE TRIBES AND DEATH OF MOSES Next post YOUTH STS LESSON 145 MISCELLANEOUS LAWS