The nation of Israel must be protected from anything that might jeopardize the coming of the Christ. Our next chapter, Deuteronomy 23, deals with those who could not “enter the assembly of the Lord” (v 1). There is some discussion as to what this actually meant. I find Adam Clarke’s comments helpful: “If by entering […]
Good fencing around rooftops—and relationships—is the secret of a happy home life. Although most homes in the West have peaked roofs, that wasn’t the case in the lands of the Bible. A flat roof provided an ideal place for families to gather in the early morning or evening. The roof usually had three layers in […]
The desire to push God’s boundaries and break down barriers is the path to self-destruction. If we are to care for animals and birds, surely we should also care for our fellow humans. There are several ways we can do this, outlined in Deuteronomy 22. First, “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to […]
Read More… from January 31, 2023 — Boundaries For Our Blessing
A wise use of the Lord’s creation will result in fruitful living and careful stewardship, too. You’ve probably noticed that little things often speak loudest when it comes to thoughtful Christian living. Easily overlooked deeds of kindness, a few heartfelt words, help with the dishes, or replacing something that has been used up—very often these […]
Read More… from January 30, 2023 — All Creatures Great & Small
Life isn’t complicated as God designed it; we complicate it by taking detours from the narrow way. Life can get very complicated, especially family life. God designed the nuclear family to be the basic self-governing building block of a healthy society. No wonder the devil has made it the prime target for his fiercest salvos. […]
Read More… from January 27, 2023 — Challenges In Family Life
God was not going to micromanage Israel. They needed ways to handle the unknown as well. Unsolved murders in Israel were no light matter. Deuteronomy 21:1-9 describes such a murder mystery. What do the townspeople do “if anyone is found slain, lying in the field in the land which the Lord your God is giving […]
These verses show the balance between preserving natural resources and utilizing them. Times of war not only can bring death to the population but also devastation to the countryside. At the conclusion of Deuteronomy 20 we see the wisdom of God in balancing both the need for utilization and preservation of the resources He has […]
Read More… from January 25, 2023 — Woodman, Spare That Tree!
There is no mercy only for those who despise it; there is no pardon only for those who reject it. In our last study, we saw that we are to “Pursue peace with all people” (Heb 12:14). Israel was to offer peace to cities at war if they would covenant with them (Deut 20:10-11). However, […]
Read More… from January 24, 2023 — The Special Case Of The Canaanites