May 12, 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 25 (NIV)
1 When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. 2 If the guilty person deserves to be beaten, the judge shall make them lie down and have them flogged in his presence with the number of lashes the crime deserves, 3 but the judge must not impose more than forty lashes. If the guilty party is flogged more than that, your fellow Israelite will be degraded in your eyes......Continue Reading
Ok Pastor I will need to hear your thoughts on this chapter because some of this was just strange. I mean we certainly aren’t taking off sandals and spitting in faces anymore but I do think God is always making sure to remind us to care for one another and even animals like mentioned in this chapter on how to treat your ox.
I can say with confidence that if someone thinks they have a problem that God’s word does not provide help with this chapter is proof that God has covered it all :))
Deut 25
Certainly some strange practices are found here, but I wonder how strange they would be to the original recipients? We do have to remember the disadvantage we are in that we are divorced from the context and culture where these standards are given. Defining the limits of punishment to avoid abuse or cruelty is important. It is interesting that Jesus Himself got 39 lashes….one below the limit here…and that was Roman practice expressed in Jesus’ case.
Certainly the point is clear in the next passage even if the practice is odd. Inheritance and child bearing were important in Israel and there was an expectation that a brother would take on his brother’s wife when he died. It would certainly protect her as well as carry on the brother’s name. And although this was strongly encouraged, the man did have the option to not do it, but he would be exposed to this public disgrace. Therefore he would be able to weigh his options, married to someone he didn’t want or be subject to public shame? It provided the emphasis God wanted while ultimately giving the man freedom to choose.
And God protects the male genitalia here and the damage that could be made if grabbed in the context of a fight. It would also give the other man a distinct advantage. And the law is only extreme if you break it. In addition to this, honest measures are mentioned often in Scripture. How important honesty and integrity are in life and especially in business. Imagine you thought you were buying a pound of something, but because the counterweights were off, it was really a half a pound. God calls His people throughout time to a hog level of fairness and honesty….
Hope that helps, Kelly!
It does! I need to always remind myself about the context and time in which we a reading.
Read deuteronomy 25. Had many questions so went directly to your answer Pastor to Kelly. Thank you
I would agree with Ptr Peter that though many of these may sound strange to us, they may not have been as strange to the Israelites back then. I think for us to understand the essence of the law, we must study the context. It’s also striking God’s emphasis on the importance of reproduction and honesty.
This is a strange chapter! Thank you for your detailed “commentary”, Pastor.
I was thinking of context as well. It is interesting to see how culture really impacts on how we view many aspects of life. The importance of marriage, especially to a woman, was to bear children. It is almost like the woman in Biblical times weren’t relational jealous of other wives/concubines, perhaps because that was not their view of marriage and the purpose of sex. Many women even would offer their maidservants to bear children for them with their husband!
Of course, all along, God intended for one man to have one woman, as in the garden, and He specifically condemns adultery in the 10 commandments….but then He includes sons by these other women in Jewish lineage. I guess God finally decided to work with what He has. 😀
15You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 16For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.