Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 21:1-23, Deuteronomy 22:1-30, Hebrews 13:1-4
Any set of rules that involves locating a young cow and a continually flowing stream definitely has my attention. We live in a mostly sterile and sanitary world, and the bloody brutality of sin payment in the Old Testament is shocking. For example, many of us eat beef, but few of us have killed a cow ourselves to make the meal. The modern world insulates us from a lot of stinky, dirty messes.
The case laws of the Old Testament are a tough read. Some of the injunctions sound strange and offensive (why must that poor woman shave her head?), and some feel like a huge overreaction (we have to stone our stubborn son?). When we’re reading the Bible, it can be much nicer to find a psalm of praise than a code outlining what to do with a bird’s nest or a bloody cloth. So, how does one tackle the more difficult parts of Old Testament law?
Briefly—Scripture is its own interpreter. Use the context of Scripture to read Scripture. Interpret difficult passages based on clear passages. And remember, Christ is the central figure of all Scripture. These principles help us make sense of a lot of difficult passages. In this particular passage, the context sets our sight on the main points: Look at verses 18–21. This is not easy advice.
Because no example of this being carried out is ever found in Scripture, some argue this is a law of principle and pedagogy rather than practice. It is a hedge against sin, not a free ticket to haul away your naughty kids. This isn’t a passage about child-rearing practices.
The language in the passage indicates this is a young adult, and that his actions are not simply dishonoring, but destructive to his whole family—not one-time offenses, but a habitual lifestyle of destruction.
This isn’t an impulsive accusation, followed by violence. This is a case brought to court. The final verdict of the trial is also executed by the court, not by vindictive parents. Both the mother and the father are involved in this case, serving as the two witnesses required by law. This is an orderly and lawful proceeding.
The big picture is the same as the fourth commandment: Honor your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12). The aim is the preservation of the family, and of the original created order. Satan is always out to destroy the family. He took his first aim at the marriage of Adam and Eve, then tempted Cain to murder his own brother. Where sin is let alone, the family is destroyed.
However, the central character is Christ. Who are the disobedient sons? We are. Beginning with Adam, we have continually rebelled, destroying our families, our communities, and the whole world. But whose son bore the final judgment of that rebellion? Christ, the only obedient Son. The flowing stream of His righteous blood puts in perspective not only the holiness of God, but also His unfathomable grace!
Written by Rebecca Faires
Thank you all for your insight. It really helped on this tough read.
Angie so grateful for you to be back & doing better (your students too!).
Saying my prayers for everyone.
Thanking God for providing the perfect, complete and everlasting payment for all sin.
Some tough passages to read this morning, but I’m so thankful for this SRT community to help me dive deeper and understand things a bit more clearly. At first glance, a lot of these laws seem extremely harsh and unfair. However, with more context of the culture in these times, it’s easy to see God’s love and provision within each rule. I think it’s also important to remember (as others have said this morning) that the harshness of many of these laws were likely created to deter the criminal acts from happening in the first place. A son was probably much more likely to honor his father and mother if he knew that his destructive rebellion would lead to him being stoned to death by everyone in the city. Also, a rapist would be far less willing to rape a women if he knew he would then have to marry and financially provide for her (and any offspring) for the rest of his life. I’m thankful to be living in the grace of the New Covenant, while still being able to see God’s goodness to those that were living under the old laws.
Really great comments and devotional today. Indeed this reading is hard, and when I read this when I was younger I took away the conclusion that the OT God was scary and would strike me down for doing wrong. I recently re-read Deuteronomy and my husband explained to me that though some of these laws sound horrible, in truth they are radically different from what would have happened in surrounding societies. Note especially the dealings with a rapist, or a man who takes a woman where there is no witness to hear whether or not she cried out (in the country). Even today some don’t believe women when they come forward, this law automatically assigns blame to the man in that instance. Nads I will continue to pray for Danny. Sometimes recovery is up and down in these situations. Angie I am glad you have recovered from COVID
I think it might also have made the soldier think twice before he raped a beautiful woman if he knew the law required him to marry her and take care of her.
Wow, some harshness in this scripture. Hope I loved your comment. And it also strikes me that once again the old testament shows that we all fall short of the glory of God. We can not atone for the sins of the world except by the blood of the Lamb, and Jesus himself taking the curse, His death, nailed to a tree. Amen and Amen. I appreciate all of the comments putting in to perspective some of the laws about women when we’re raped. In reading your comments I also thought, maybe the shame of having to face the person who they so sinned against daily would cause repentance, but my heart really cries for the women stuck in a marriage with someone who had so wronged them. Tough tough things. Anyway appreciate the comments addressing these things. Praying for Danny, continued miracles from our Jesus, our Creator who knows our bodies, Lord we pray your healing, and your glory in it. Angie, praying for continued healing for you. Glad you are okay. Praying for all of you my Sisters, His good, His peace this day. May we sing the song He puts in our hearts today. ERB, I did not get an email. But know He is answering my prayers, I am trusting. Hugs dear friend xoxo
Yes!!!! The podcast was so so helpful in navigating the harshness of these passages. “Justice is woven together with mercy to create a pattern where God is breaking the standard of the fallen world”. The Israelites were set apart (as we believers are today) and Moses was reminding them that they COULD NOT be like the world around them.
So many great comments today and a VERY helpful meditation by @REBECCA re: Scripture hard for us to understand. (I agree that that those “rules” were more about protection and a possibility of restoration rather than punishment.)
SOOOO, DANNY! Lord, help!!! The doctor was encouraged yesterday by his following the command of squeezing his hand and they saw some miraculous things. God is most certainly working!! STILL, please, please continue to pray. They have been increasing / decreasing the sedation to give him best scenario for healing…but, His organs are struggling, his heart is still NOT beating without the help of the machine, he has still not woken today after removing sedation, his blood oxygen hasn’t been satisfactory,…
Lord, we trust Your perfect will but/AND ask that Your name be glorified!!
ANGIE – Sorry to hear that but, so happy you are doing better; please take care of yourself. Happy to have you back.