Deuteronomy 21

God recognizes death as a serious thing and so when someone dies and no one is held responsible, a sacrifice still must be given to atone for the death. And yet it is not in the form of a blood sacrifice, because the ones sacrificing have not committed a sin. Hence the heifers neck is broken. And the steps taken for a captured women are interesting. On one hand what is emphasized is her separation from her former life and maybe even gauging how willing she is to turn aside from it. On the other hand, there is recognition of her loss and protection for her. There is also protection for the first born son even if he is born to the less favored wife. The better point would be, don’t be married to 2 women and thereby deal with the resultant confusion/competition. And not to be crass, but I know some men that would have been benefited by a harsh standard leveled toward the rebellious, disrespectful and irresponsible as found here in this chapter. Either because they would be eliminated so as not to cause the destruction they have brought on their families and the next generation or they would have learned not to be that way. And who didn’t think of Jesus hanging on a pole and needing to be taken down and buried before nightfall? And yet the quicker He was placed in the tomb, the quicker He would rise from the dead!