DBG - March 7 - Deuteronomy 19-22

In this chapter we read again of the cities of refuge and the evil of bearing false witness.

vs. 1-13 – We first saw the cities of refuge in Numbers 35.  I think this section is a little clearer on their purpose.  There is a sample case in vs. 5 of an accidental killer that would be protected. 

vs. 14 – Stones were used to mark property lines at this time.  A greedy person could move their stones and take part of their neighbor’s property.  There are many condemnations of this in Scripture, including Deuteronomy 27:17, Proverbs 22:28 and 23:10, and Hosea 5:10.  Not only is it theft, but it also shows discontent with the land God had provided.

vs. 15-21 – No pity or leniency is to be given to a false witness.  Just as we see the landmarks form the previous verse throughout the Bible, this is also a very common theme.

In this chapter we have rules of warfare for the nation of Israel.

vs. 1-4 – God encourages the people to not fear in the day of battle.  No matter how mighty the enemy is, God is mightier. 

vs. 5-9 – The fearful and distracted are granted leave from military service.  At this point there is no standing army.  The alarm would go out through the land, and the fighting men would assemble at a central location with each bringing their own equipment.  This early warfare was far from the organized battles of the Greeks and Romans of later centuries.  Typically, two sides would line up opposite each other, yell at each other for a while to intimidate their foes, and then finally someone would move forward to spark the clash in the center.  The advantage often went to the more disciplined troops who could stay in formation.  Knowing that the man next to you would not break and run was vital.  That is why this is given.  How many would claim the privilege we do not know.  Likely they faced great ridicule if they refused to go.

vs. 10-20 – This is an important section on siege warfare that will play out in Israel’s history.  A besieged city was offered a chance to surrender.  If they refused, the siege continued and the city fell and was defeated.  If they accepted the surrender, they would become vassals to Israel.  Canaanite cities and their inhabitants were to be completely destroyed, while only the men were to be killed in other cities.  This was to prevent Israel from being infected by the Canaanite culture and religion.  The closing verses forbid the destruction of fruit trees around a besieged city.  This allowed the area to continue to be inhabitable after the city fell.  It is a far cry from the total war of later times (such as Rome supposedly salting the land around Carthage so it would never be rebuilt).

In this chapter Moses covers various moral issues.

vs. 1-9 – We have seen what is to happen in the cases of murder and even accidental homicide.  Here is the case where a body is found and the murder unsolved.  Just because no killer was caught does not mean there was no guilt.  The leaders of the nearest city were to gather, kill a heifer, and swear that they were innocent of the crime.

vs. 10-14 – The custom of ancient times was to enslave captives after a conquest.  Here is the case of an Israelite wishing to marry a prisoner.  This should not apply to a Canaanite woman as they were all supposed to be slain in battle.  The woman is brought to the man’s family tent, where she is to shave her head, cut her nails, and put off her old clothes.  She is given a month to grieve for her family before she can marry.  If during this time the man changes his mind, is to let her go.  She is not to be kept as a slave or sold as one.  This is compensation for her humiliation. 

vs. 15-17 – This is a practical section involving a man that had children from multiple wives.  It could be seen as an allowance of polygamy, but this can also arise if a wife dies and the man remarries.  Regardless of the cause, the true firstborn retained his rights.  Here is spelled out one of the special blessings that belonged to the firstborn, namely receiving a double portion.  If two sons, the property was split into three with the eldest receiving two shares and the youngest just one share.

vs. 18-21 – The case of a rebellious son is not something would have occurred in a spur of a moment.  This is for a son that refuses to repent and change their ways.  It is an extreme measure that should act as a deterrent to those who flaunted the Fifth Commandment.

vs. 22-23 – The body of a man executed was to be hung on a tree until the end of the day.  This is not a hanging or lynching.  The man is already dead.  His body is displayed as a public reminder of the penalty of sin.  Moses did this in Numbers 25:4 and Joshua will do it in Joshua 10:26.  Its most famous application is Christ, who was hung a tree (wooden cross) and bore the curse of our sin.

In this chapter we have varied regulations and a section regarding sexual immorality.

vs. 1-12 – This first section of commands covers a lot of topics.  There are elements of basic humanity and care, such as caring for a brother’s lost animal in vs. 1-4, leaving a mother bird but taking its offspring in vs. 6-7, and placing of a barrier to prevent falls in vs. 8.  There are some that are marks of separation and uniformity, such as the vs. 9-12.  The most talked about verse I certainly vs. 5.  Some have tried to explain this away as pertaining to pagan mourning rituals or even forbidding women in combat.  I think it is exactly what it says.  God created two distinct sexes, and we are to honor that.  To me, this fits the common theme in the Law about honesty.

vs. 13-21 – This case involves a man that becomes displeased with his wife and in order to affect a divorce claims she was not a virgin at their wedding.  Jewish custom placed safeguard against this, which was a sheet placed under the couple when they first joined as man and wife.  I will leave it there, but it would show signs that the woman as indeed a virgin.  This is what is produced by the woman’s parents to prove the claim false.  The false accuser made to pay 100 shekels of silver as a penalty to the father for shaming his family and was forbidden to divorce the woman. 

vs. 22-30 – Here are dealt with cases of adultery and rape.  Adulterers were condemned to death.  The line between rape and adultery is whether the woman cried out for help.  If no such cry is heard in a place where people could hear it, she is considered guilty.  If a man and unmarried woman are caught together, the man pays a penalty of 50 shekel of silver to the woman’s father and must take her as his wife.  The final verse forbids relations between a man and his stepmother.

There are so many topics that we have covered today that it is difficult to chose just one to comment on.  Instead, I want to make a broad observation.  Much of what we read today is made up of practical expressions of personal holiness, which was Israel modeling the holiness of their God.  True faith affects how we live and act.  I believe all doctrine is practical and helps shape our hearts, minds, and actions.  We have lost this in our world today.  There are things that a child of God should never engage in because of Who their Father is. 

Our hymn today is “Oft In Sorrow, Oft In Woe”, written by Henry Kirke White in 1806.  It takes inspiration from the rallying speech of the priest to the warriors of Israel in 20:2-4.  While we may not be called to fight in physical battles, every believer is engaged in spiritual warfare whether they want to or not.  It is good to take encourage and press on for Christ.

Oft in sorrow, oft in woe,
Onward, Christian, onward go:
Fight the fight, maintain the strife
Strengthened with the bread of life.

Onward Christians, onward go,
Join the war, and face the foe;
Faint not: Much does yet remain,
Dreary is the long campaign.

Shrink not, Christians will ye yield?
Will ye quit the painful field?
Will ye flee in danger’s hour?
Know ye not your captain’s power?

Let your drooping hearts be glad:
March in heavenly armor clad:
Fight, nor think the battle long,
Victory soon shall be your song.

Let not sorrow dim your eye,
Soon shall every tear be dry;
Let not fears your course impede,
Great your strength, if great your need.

Onward then in battle move,
More than conquerors ye shall prove;
Though opposed by many a foe,
Christian soldiers onward go.