Deuteronomy 22:1-23:14

Deuteronomy 22:1-23:14

The first half of Deuteronomy 22 deals with a variety of laws that really do not fit in any other category. The laws range from strange cattle to how to dress to what to do when you find a nest on the ground. Some of these laws were just customs of the day that we do not necessarily practice today. Some of these laws, although not practiced today, provide some practical ways of living. In general, this set of laws continues off of Deuteronomy 21 on how we should be sure that we treat others honorably and with respect.

The second half of Deuteronomy 22 deals with sexual immorality. Again, I am not going to go into great detail about each law that is mentioned in this section, but there are some general principles we can learn from these verses. Once again, we see the importance of treating each other with respect, and this most definitely applies in these types of situations. God demanded holiness from His children, and He particularly expected holiness in marriage. We see in the midst of these verses laws about being honest with one another, laws dealing with relationships, laws about purity, and laws about rape. These last few chapters have stressed the importance of treating one another with respect, and in the area of sexual relations, this is all the more important.

The opening verses of Deuteronomy 23 are more historical and cultural in nature than anything else. It is a listing of who can and who cannot enter into the assembly of the Lord. Due to the way different groups of people had treated God or His Laws, certain people were not allowed to enter into the assembly. It is rather hard to find an application for these verses, but one thing that they do seem to be stressing is the importance of obedience. In the cases of many of these people, it was due to their disobedience that they were not allowed to enter into the assembly of the Lord.

The next set of laws stress the importance of cleanliness in the camp. The Israelites had to have a place outside of the camp where they could go when they had been declared as “unclean.” The reason for this practice was to keep the camp itself clean. God was walking through the camp, dwelling with His children. For that reason, He expected the Israelites to keep the camp clean and holy for Him. For those of us who are Christian, God lives inside of us. If Israel was commanded to keep their camp clean, don’t you think we ought to strive to keep our bodies and our lives clean and holy before God? Our body is the temple of God, and we should strive daily to be holy before Him.

Matt