Deuteronomy 25:5-26:19

Deuteronomy 25:5-26:19

As this long section of laws begins to come to a close, the next topic discussed is that of marriage. This time the issue is what to do when a woman’s husband dies. One problem here is that she would be alone if no one took her as their new wife, and another problem is that her first husband’s name would be lost if they had had no son. Therefore, the responsibility fell on the shoulders of the husband’s brother (if he had one), and they would then take the woman as their wife, and if they had a son, he would be named after the first husband. This is a very technical process, but it shows God’s provision. This was God’s way of providing for a woman who lost her husband so that she would not be alone in the world and so that she would be able to survive. So like any other law, there were consequences when this process was not followed. If the man did not want to take the woman as his wife, then a curse was put on his household by the woman, and justice was served. Even in these cultural laws that do not apply to us today, we can see the importance of obedience. God expects us to obey Him in all aspects of life.

The final verses of Deuteronomy 25 offer up a few final commands that fall into the same category as the ones mentioned at the end of Deuteronomy 23 and the end of Deuteronomy 24. It is one last list of miscellaneous laws, and the above application applies to these just as it does to any other law given by God.

The final chapter of laws is Deuteronomy 26. God gives the Israelites a few final instructions on what they shall do once they enter the Promised Land. The Promised Land was a gift from God given to Israel to fulfill the covenant that God had made with Abraham in Genesis 12. Since then, throughout Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, God has been showing Israel His power, His love, His protection, His provision, and Himself. He has been with them every step of the way, making it possible for them to inherit the land. Despite their shortcomings along the way, God has remained faithful. Therefore, He requests in Deuteronomy 26 that Israel show their gratitude for all He has done by giving Him the first fruits of the land, what we would think of as a tithe. God gives us so much in life. He provides for and protects us just like He did for Israel, and we can always depend on Him to be there with us every step of the way. If Israel was expected to give back to God for all that He had done for them, then shouldn’t we be willing to do the same? Instead of being selfish with our money and time, we must come to a point where we are willing to give back to God. Giving for the sake of giving is not what God wants. He wants us to give out of a willing heart. If we truly are His children, then that should become very natural to us, and it is the least we can do for our God who has given us so much!

Matt