Continuing the Journey Part 3

Here we go again!

21.  Marrying a Captive Woman

Clear rules about how to go about marrying a beautiful foreigner you are attracted to.

Fascinating verse: Bring her into your home and have her shave her head, trim her nails and put aside the clothes she was wearing when captured.  Deuteronomy 21:12-13

22.  The Right of the Firstborn

The rights of the firstborn go to the firstborn, even if  the mother of the child is loved less than another wife.

Interesting verse: That son is the first sign of his father’s strength.  Deuteronomy 21:17

23.  A Rebellious Son

If you have a son who have a son who is stubborn and rebellious and will not do what his parents tell him, then he is to be stoned to death (they have it easy, these days!).

‘Warning to teenagers’ verses:  They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” Then all the men of his town are to stone him to death.  Deuteronomy 21:20-21

24.  Various Laws

Various laws covering health safety, returning lost property, what to do with a bird’s nest that has fallen to the ground and mixing crops, animals or fibres…….

Intriguing verse: A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man wear women’s clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this.  Deuteronomy 22:5

25. Marriage Violations

Strict rules about what to do if a man is disappointed with his new wife. Marriage matters. Virginity matters. Faithfulness matters. And rape is very, very wrong.

Challenging verse: You must purge the evil from among you.  Deuteronomy 22: 21/22/23

26.  Exclusion from the Assembly

A list of those who cannot enter the assembly of the Lord.

Encouraging verse: However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.  Deuteronomy 23:5

27. Uncleanness in the Camp

Dealing with bodily functions and how to stay clean.

Quirky verse: If one of your men is unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he is to go outside the camp and stay there.  Deuteronomy 23:10

28.  Miscellaneous Laws

The best way to treat others – fellow Israelites, your neighbours, foreigners, orphans and widows.

Compassionate verse: If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married.  Deuteronomy 24:5

29.  Firstfruits and Tithes

Giving to God because of all that he has done for you.

Blessing verse: I have obeyed the Lord my God; I have done everything you commanded me. Look down from heaven, your holy dwelling place, and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us as you promised on oath to our ancestors, a land flowing with milk and honey.  Deuteronomy 26:14-15

And that should be it! 29 subjects all done and dusted. But guess what, there were 30 all along! That would have looked so much more professional from the start – 30 topics in 3 days, 10 a day…..hey ho, such is life!

30.  Follow the Lord’s Commands

Do this and all will be well with you.

Promise verses: You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.  Deuteronomy 26:17-18

If you wanted to read any passage from the Bible today, then read the Miscellaneous Laws starting at Deuteronomy 23:15 and going through to the end of chapter 25.  They really do make fascinating reading. I was particularly struck about how to treat others with respect and compassion and justice. Looking forward to reading what Andy has to write on this topic tomorrow, but here are some verses to set it up for him.

Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty of sin.  Deuteronomy 24:14-15

When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.  Deuteronomy 24:21-22

Do not have two differing weights in your bag—one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house—one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.  Deuteronomy 25:13-16