Search The Scriptures —Study 16 — Deuteronomy 22 and 23

Study 1 6 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 22 and 23

  
These laws are connected mainly with the sixth and seventh commandments.

1.      22:1-21. In what ways do these laws safeguard life, property and reputation, and this put into operation the sixth commandment and the law of love to one’s neighbour?

2.     22:13-30.  How do these laws uphold the principle of chastity implicit in the seventh commandment? How do the laws and customs of our contemporary society compare?

3.      23: 1-25. What steps were to be taken to maintain the purity of the congregation and thus of the worship of God. How is this applied in the New Testament to the Church on earth and to Heaven itself? Cf. 1 Cor. 5; Rev. 21:27, and see study 13.

Notes

1.      22:5. The distinction of the sexes, even in outward appearance, ought to be strictly maintained.

2.     22:9-11. Applied spiritually, these law forbid the association of things morally incompatible; cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-16

3.     22:14, 17. ‘The tokens of virginity’: i.e., the sheet, which became stained with blood on the first coitus.

4.     23:15, 16. The reference appears to be a slave fleeing form a foreign country, and taking refuge in a city of Israel.

                                                                    

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Search The Scriptures —Study 15 — Deuteronomy 20 and 21

Study 15 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 20 and 21

These laws relate indirectly to the sixth commandment and God’s requirements of perfect justice in all walks of life.

1.      What general principles may be deduced from chapter 20 regarding (a) the conduct of military warfare, and (b) spiritual warfare in the army of Christ?  Cf. Lk, 14:25-33.

2.     What illustration do these chapters give both of the compassion and the severity of God?

3.     What application do the writers of the New Testament make of 21:22, 23? Cf. Jn. 19:31; Gal. 3: 13; 1 Pet. 2:24.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 14 — Deuteronomy 18 and 19

Study 14 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 18 and 19

In chapter 18 the offices of priest and prophet are included in the civil law since, Israel being a theocracy, these men were part of the government. Chapter 19 begins the section of laws governing social life, which are the detailed application of the last six commandments.

1.      What were the special ministries of priests and prophets? Observe in chapter 18 how both alike were God’s provision for His people’s needs.  Of what kind of person in heathen religion did the prophets in Israel take the place? How may we still distinguish between true and false prophets?   Cf. Is. 8:19, 20; 2Pet. 1:19; 2:12.

2.     In whom was the prophecy of 18:18, 19 finally fulfilled? See Acts 3:22, 23; 7:37. Do we listen to Him as we should? Cf. Mk. 9:7.

3.     In what way do the regulations concerning cities of refuge both protect against injustice and at the same time enforce just penalty? See further Nu. 35.

4.     How do the regulations of chapter 19 seek to apply the spirit as well as the letter of the sixth (verses 1-4), eighth (verse 14) and ninth (verses 15-21) commandments respectively?

Note 19:14. This law is intended to guard the inheritance of the poor against the greed of wealthy neighbours. Cf. 27:17; Pr. 23:10, 11.

                                                             

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Search The Scriptures —Study 13 — Deuteronomy 16 and 17

Study 1 3 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 16 and 17

At 16:18 the section on the civil law commences. Here we have (a) the appointment and duties of judges (16:18-20); (b) justice in matters of religious (16:21-17:7); the final court of appeal (17:8-13); (d) the appointment and duties of the king (17:14-20).

1.      In connection with the Feast of Weeks and the Fear of Tabernacles, what two requirements are made of the worshipper, and why? With regard to free-will offerings, on what principle is the amount of the gift to be determined? Cf. 1 Cor. 16:2; 2Cor. 8:12; 1 Pet. 1:8

2.     What does 17:2-7 teach us about the need for church discipline? Cf. Mt. 18:15-18; 1 Cor. 5; 1 Tim. 1:19, 20; Tit. 3:9-11.

3.     What was to be the character of Israel’s king if one were appointed, and what was to be the source of his wisdom? Cf. 2 Tim. 3:15-17.

Notes

1.      16:21. The Asherah appears to have been a pole, planted by an altar, as a symbol of the god worshipped there.

2.     17:8-13.  If a case is too difficult for the local judge to handle (see 16:18-20), it is to be brought to the central sanctuary.

3.     17:16, 17. Noticed the word ‘multiply’ three times.  Horses (power), wives and wealth were coveted by kings of the time. Cf. 1 Ki. 10:26-28; 11:3,4.                                     

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Search The Scriptures —Study 12 — Deuteronomy 14:15

Study 12 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 14:15

These two chapters contain laws concerning (a) funeral practices (14:1, 2); (b) clean and unclean foods (14:3-21); tithing (14:22-29); (d) the seventh year or year of release (15:1-18); (e) firstling males of the herd of flock (15:19-23).

1.      The principle underlying the laws of chapter 14 is that Christians are to behave differently from the world. What do we learn here concerning the Christians’ attitude (a) to death and bereavement (verses 1, 2; cf. 1 Thes. 4:13); (b) to food and bodily indulgence (verse 3-21; cf. 1: Cor. 6:12, 13; 10:23, 31); (c) to money and possessions (verses 22-28; cf. 1 Cor. 16:2)?

2.     What do the laws of chapter 15 teach concerning (a) redemption through Christ; (b) the Christian’s duty of putting the need of his brother before his own rights (cf. Mt. 5:38-42); (c) equality in the Church of God (cf. Acts 2: 44; 4:34; 2 Cor. 8:14)?

Notes

1.       14: 1b.  A reference to heathen mourning practices, signifying excessive grief.

2.      15:1. ‘Grant a release’: i.e., let the debtor off.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 11 — Deuteronomy 12 and 13

Study 11 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 12 and 13

In the analysis of the book of Deuteronomy, the first part of this code of Law sets forth regulations governing the practice of religion, and is thus a detailed application of the first four commandments.

1.      How does chapter 12 relate to the first commandment and chapter 13 to the second?

2.     How does the regulation of chapter 13 demonstrate the priority of God’s will over alleged ‘results’ respect of person, ties of blood and great numbers?  Cf. Mk. 13:22; Gal. 1:8; 2:11; Lk. 14:26; Acts 4: 19:20.

Note. The provision of one sanctuary to which all sacrifices must be brought was a safeguard against idolatrous worship at ancient shrines of the Canaanites.  Cf. 2 Ki. 17: 10-12.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 10 — Deuteronomy 10:12 - 11:32

Study 10 From The Book of Deuteronomy is: Deuteronomy 10:12 - 11:32

Moses here use two main arguments to persuade the people to obedience: (a). In 10:12 – 11:12 he shows that certain attributes and methods of God demand a corresponding response from His people. (b) In 11:13 – 32 he uses the rewards of obedience and the punishments of disobedience as incentives.  This raises the following questions:

1.      What specifically are the attributes and ways of God particularized in 10:12 – 11:12 and what are their corresponding demands?

2.     What rewards and punishments for obedience and disobedience are specified in 11: 13-32?

Notes

1.      10:12. ‘What … but …?’ does not mean these demands are slight, and His calling of Israel to be His people. Cf. Mi. 6:8.

2.     11:30. ‘Moreh’:  where the Lord appeared to Abraham; see Gn. 12: 6, 7.

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