Day 77 – Deuteronomy 21-23

Talking Points

• Again, God instructs very specific commands for life as His people. In His laws we see generosity, kindness, fairness, and integrity are to be lived out in daily practice. At one point, God even calls for a railing around the rooftop patio to protect anyone who might fall. Talk about God being in the smallest of details (unless you’re the one being protected from falling — then it’s a big detail!)
• God repeatedly calls for the purging of evil from among His people. Sin breeds more sin and, therefore, even the enticement of it is disallowed. God takes grave steps to protect the holiness of His people.
• We see sexual purity is important to God for both the male and female. It has always been the temptation to adapt to the world’s view of sexual morality.
• It should be noted that the Hebrew word for “seizes” in Deuteronomy 12:28, is not the same meaning as the rape described in verses 25-27. This would have been a coercing into consensual sexual activity. Therefore, the punishment in the two circumstances is different.

Thoughts

As we read through the Bible, be aware of what is happening. Over and over again is the unfolding of the gospel of our salvation. That is the theme of Scripture — we have our Savior, Jesus!

In Chapter 21, we find that guilt for a death must be assigned and paid for or absolved and forgiven. The party that is not responsible for a death is to wash their hands over a sacrifice, thus declaring their innocence in the matter. Fast-forward to Pilate’s court. Pilate, hoping to demonstrate that he was innocent in the coming death of Jesus, washes his hands in view of the people. The truth is, because of sin, he was and we are responsible for Christ’s death. He unknowingly and literally washed his hands over the Sacrifice that would bring forgiveness. Where Pilate, the sinner, washed his hands, Jesus, the sinless, stretch His out. And, in the profoundness of the gospel, guilt was assigned and guilt was forgiven in a single act. Wow.

Lord, thank You for being both the Sacrifice and the Savior!