I use a phone app – Bible gateway – when I do my daily Bible reading and I highlight the verses that stand out to me. Then I think about the topics for a while. As I am writing, I look at each highlight and make a comment. I have to do some research along the way.
If I did that today, while we read Deuteronomy chapters 22-25, this post would be too long to read. There was just so much to contemplate in these final chapters on this last day of February.
Be decent
There are three major themes: Be a decent person; don’t cheat on your spouse because divorce is not an option; treat each other fairly.
It starts with being a decent human being. In 22:1-4, we see how to look out for our neighbor. If someone messes with his property or injures an animal, we should help.
We had lived in a 1970s era mobile home for twenty-seven years. Because of my disability and the effects of age; we knew someday we would need to build a wheelchair accessible home.
After saving up enough to build our new home; we moved into a rental property and had our old house torn down. Repairing it to the point it could be sold would have cost more than we would have recuperated.
As the new home was being built, we got a text from one of our neighbors who noticed someone was taking wood from the construction site. It was the contractor removing debris, but we appreciated our neighbor was watching out for us.
This was a great example of what this verse was saying. Later, we read to not hold their cloak for collateral overnight. We would not want them to be cold. We need to be good to each other, even when someone owes us.
Respect marriage
Beyond being a decent person, we are to not commit adultery with another man’s wife.
First, adultery is a sin. Second, we are not to even covet our neighbors’ wife. So, there are many ways this would be wrong.
What is interesting is how emphatically they are told to purge the evil from among them. When people are violating these laws, they are to be executed.
Today, we read about a love triangle that ends in murder. The murder mortifies us, but the adultery doesn’t even shock us. We have become so comfortable with some sins they have become mundane.
Yes, we live in the time of grace. But, Jesus never intended to pay for our sins so that we would have license to sin more. As Paul often said, heaven forbid. (see Rom 6:1-2) Our salvation should help us break away from sin, not become tolerant of it.
Work past divorce
It all starts with becoming complacent about divorce. Here I am, pointing three fingers at myself. My first three marriages ended mostly out of boredom with each other, and in a matter of months.
Fortunately, my wife and I will celebrate our thirty-second anniversary next week. She was never married before, and told me she would not allow a divorce. We had to work through disagreements, and that complacency. Divorce is a word we won’t even use in our home.
Jesus said it was because of men’s hard hearts that Moses allowed them to get divorced, but it was never God’s intention for marriage. (see Matt 19:8-9).
Be honest and generous
Chapter 23 reminds us that the Ammonites and Moabites refused to welcome Israel as it passed through their land. They even called on Balaam to curse them.
God turns those curses others wish to place on His people against them. He brings good out of situations for those who love Him and obey His commands. (see Rom 8:28).
Next we get to Miscellaneous laws, such as protecting a slave who is taking refuge. This brought to my mind Philemon and the slave Onesimus. Paul was right in befriending him. It was for God’s glory that he returned to his master.
Circling back to being decent people, and I use that word decent, not good, because no one other than God is good. We read they are to leave gleanings in the fields and vineyards and to allow the poor to have them.
They are to use equal weights and measures and not oppress the poor.
Then, we revisit adultery and more rules around divorce, including not remarrying the person you divorced.
And not to forget, we make another trip through purging evil from the land. This time for kidnapping.
Motivate others
One last thought for February was in 25:4, which tells us not to muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain. People place a muzzle over an animal’s mouth to prevent it from biting. When wearing a muzzle, an ox can not eat the grain and will lose interest in pulling the plow. This was just a heavy board that would separate the grain from the husks.
They would also grow weak without being able to replenish their strength by eating as they went.
The intention of this verse, however, is that we should have a reward for our labors. Being compensated, but also enjoying the work we do.
Thank you for allowing me the pleasure of sharing these insights with you for these last two months. I look forward to what March has in store for us.
