May 9, 2021
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Deuteronomy? Here’s today’s reading:
Deuteronomy 22 (NIV)
1 If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. 2 If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. 3 Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it..........Continue Reading
5 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.
Funny how this quick command of God has become one of the most polarizing debates in our society. The whole idea of gender confusion is neatly summed up in this simple command.
God deals with sexual sins head on. Sins of homosexuality, adultery, and rape like He does in this chapter. He does not shy away from these topics or leave it ambiguous. He responds simply and straightforward and it is the reason people need to twist things to make it work for them because His words are clear!
Deuteronomy 22
Deuteronomy 22
Various laws are given here and the focus is the responsibility we have for ourselves as well as for others. It would help the Israelites and future societies understand that my decisions have consequences and if my decisions harm someone else, I am responsible for that. Taking responsibility for your decisions and actions is intended to be the hallmark of society. I love what it says about taking care of others things when we discover them lost. How easy it would be to structure society with a finders keepers mentality…but it would not be a society that thought of others above ourselves.
God also discusses the purity of things in this chapter. Contrary to what we see in our society today, a man is a man and a woman is a woman…and we should reenforce that truth in the things we wear. Each society would define what that is, but the verses really address the heart and the intent…don’t try to act like the opposite gender. God also reenforces the purity of clothing material and seeds as well.
Sexual conduct is also addressed here and there is a lot of protection for women who very easily could be taken advantage of by a man. Personal responsibility is also reenforced again….if a woman is in a town, then there are people around who can come to her aid and so she is responsible to scream. The man is responsible not to force himself on a woman, especially one committed to another man.
As we read through these laws, we do see that God addresses everything in either general or specific terms…..
The various laws in this chapter were interesting; they speak of how we should respect and treat each other, each other’s property, and even how we should respect and treat wildlife. As Pastor Peter mentions in his comments, there is the assumption of personal responsibility. This is a responsibility that extends to thinking of the safety of others even in the construction and design of our homes – Deut. 22:8.
God does not mince words when dealing with sexual sins in this chapter.
One thing that puzzled me is the specific reference to not wearing a wool and linen blend. He does not mention any other blends, just this one. I wonder if it is an idiom, a figure of speech, that would be apparent to the people of that day; or maybe it had some relevance to pagan rituals of that day?
Dan, I found this about wearing wool and linen. Seems like it was used for priestly garments, so like particular perfume/incense, it was not to be used for the common.
https://ourrabbijesus.com/articles/whats-so-wrong-with-mixing-wool-linen/
“A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God.” This isn’t a subtle reprimand. If something is an “abomination” to that Lord….yeah, that’s pretty bad. It is interesting how we have gotten to this place. I remember when I was a child, it was hilariously funny if a man dressed as a woman and vice versa. Now it has become something totally different.
Also, with regard to sexual morality, sex is completely tied to marriage. It is not about lust or love, it is an act of commitment. If it is committed in any other capacity, the penalty is death…..or permanent commitment.
You must purge the evil from among you.