YOUTH STS LESSON 144 SANCTITY OF LIFE AND FAMILY VALUES

TEXT: Deuteronomy 21:1-23; 22:1-30         

MEMORY VERSE: “So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD” (Deuteronomy 21:9).

As part of activities marking the preparation of the children of Israel to start dwelling in the promised Land. God used these chapters to teach Israel how they were expected to relate with one another. God is always interested in our wellbeing. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). He also desires that we seek to do good to others. God wanted Israel to know that seeking the collective good of all was everyone’s responsibility. Hence, He taught Israel how to do several things including handling their relationships with others.

 

Question 1: How can a Christian youth influence the world positively?

As a Christian youth, you are expected to be a blessing to others. You are not expected to destroy others or their properties as God is not pleased with such people. The life of a godly youth is a light and salt to the world. “Ye are the salt of the earth…Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). You must season and brighten the world to ensure souls are Saved and retained in the Lord.

 

GOD’S REQUIREMENTS FOR GUILTLESSNESS AND PURITY (Deuteronomy 21:1-9; Psalms 24:3,4; 26:2-6: Hebrews 12:14)

God demanded godly living and purity from the children of Israel, especially as they were about to enter the Promised Land. He wanted them to be accountable for their actions. Whenever anyone was found dead, the people were expected to gather together to check the closest city to the scene of the crime. On identification of the scene by the elders and judges, the elders of the town closest to the scene of the crime were to get an animal to offer while proclaiming their innocence, saying, “Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them (Deuteronomy 21:7, 8).

 

Question 2: Why did God demand that the elders of the closest city to the scene should ask for forgiveness?

God wanted Israel to understand the collective responsibility they all had towards safeguarding the lives of the citizens. When a crime was committed and the criminal got away, the whole community would be held responsible. God wanted the whole community to ensure that their area was safe by correcting anything that could cause harm spiritually, physically, socially or morally. He also wanted to ensure that strongholds and hideouts were not created where evildoers reigned and destroyed the lives of others. This was a deliberate way to also create a sense of communal friendship among people living within a community. Where they could get the person who committed the crime, they were expected to bring him out for due punishment.

Without the prayer of forgiveness, the community remained guilty before God. God is not interested in punishing anyone, He is only interested in ensuring people live a life of peace and holiness. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). God demands all men to have clean hands and pure hearts. He wants everyone to be guiltless and when one obeys, there is a reward. “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6: 8).

GODLINESS AND RESPECT EXPECTED FROM GOD’S PEOPLE (Deuteronomy 21:10–23; 22: 1–30; Proverbs 6:20- 29,32,33; 16: 24; 3 John 1:2)

God highlighted several laws to Israel which bordered on how godly they were expected to live and respect for others. These include: the laws on how to handle beautiful women captured in battle that men were interested in getting married to (Deuteronomy 21:10-14); how to balance and share inheritance among members of the family (Deuteronomy 21:15-17); handling and punishment of stubborn children (Deuteronomy 21:18-21); care for lost goods and properties of others (Deuteronomy 22:1,2); care for the goods of others (Deuteronomy 22:3,4); abomination of effeminacy (Deuteronomy 22:5); warning against animal cruelty (Deuteronomy 22:6,7);

life-saving standards in building constructions sites (Deuteronomy 22:8); proper agricultural standards (Deuteronomy 22:9,10); dressing pattern (Deuteronomy 22:11,12); proper respect and treatment by spouse and family members (Deuteronomy 22:13-19); punishment of death for the immoral and defiled (Deuteronomy 22:21-27) and marriage (Deuteronomy 22: 28-30). These laws were specified to make Israel not to incur the wrath of God and to show respect to their neighbours.

Question 3: Mention some of the laws in our text which relate to youths today.

Several of these laws relate and apply to youths today also. Children are expected to be obedient to their parents as part of family responsibility (Colossians 3:20). Obedience includes doing things assigned to them by their parents, teachers or leaders as long as it does not go against the word of God. Obedient youths are able to get blessings from God while disobedient youths are under condemnation and need to repent. God is highly interested in how we handle the property and goods of others. The Scripture says, “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4: 17).

Also, youths should not wear clothes which are for the opposite gender as it is abomination before God. This affects both males and females. For example, boys are not expected by God to plait or weave their hair or put on anything made for females. Dressing pattern of youths should fulfil the purpose for which clothes are made which is to cover nakedness. Our dressing should be moderate and decent. It should not bring reproach to our profession of being Christians. In addition, youths should not be cruel to animals though animals are

Meant to be eaten. The Lord clearly placed standards on safety in building houses. We are expected to ensure safety in the house to avoid domestic accidents. God is interested in the health and wellbeing of all. We are, therefore, expected to avoid doing things that would affect our health or that of others. God prescribes respect as a fundamental part of our relationship with others including our family members. Elders in the society have a corporate responsibility to bring up youths in the way of the Lord. Youths are, therefore, expected to reciprocate by showing respect and care to them. They should show respect by greeting adults, being courteous and obedient when given tasks to do. Finally, the Lord warns all against immorality and death as punishment for offenders. Christian youths are commanded thus: “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).

Question 4: How can youths take care of the goods of others?

Youths can help to close public taps, ensure they use conveniences (toilets) in the right way, avoid throwing dirts in unauthorised places, keeping their homes, classes and the church clean and returning things they collect from others without destroying them.

GRACE AND REDEMPTION THROUGH THE GOSPEL PROCLAMATION (Deuteronomy 21:8; Titus 2:11,12; Acts 20:19-27; 26:19)

God explained these laws to Israel through Moses, so that they could receive redemption. Moses was a great instrument in the hand of God and he declared the word as the Lord gave it to him. He was not afraid of the people; but told them the truth. If Moses had refrained from telling the people the law of God and the danger of compromise and rebellion, many of the people in Israel would have been destroyed. Moses ensured that everyone in the land of Israel heard the law of the Lord and challenged them thus: “… these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates” (Deuteronomy 6:6-9).

However, we have a great challenge today. Believing youths, who are expected to be bearers of the gospel of Christ, are failing in this great assignment. This challenge today is similar to the question asked by the Lord: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” (Isaiah 6: 8). God is looking for youths who will do the work of reaching out to others with the message of God’s love and leading them to repentance. We should arise, go and reach out to seek the lost souls in sin.

Question 5: What can a sinful youth do to receive redemption from Christ?

Sinful youths can receive redemption from Christ by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. This redemption comes only to those who are ready to fully repent from all their sins and come with humility of mind to Christ. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent …(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (Acts 17:30; 2 Corinthians 6: 2).