Deuteronomy 28

1 - 46 Covenental Blessings and Curses

My notes: "The blessings affirm that national security, prosperity, and political preeminence are intrinsic consequences of Israel's fidelity to the covenant relationship." English: You do good and good things will happen to you.

On the other hand, if you don't do good; bad things will happen (curses).

47 - 68 Scenarios of Curse

If Israel doesn't follow the covenant, it will be reversed by God.

Question of the Day: J.P.?

Deuteronomy 27

1 - 26 Rites of Reaffirmation

Moses charges the elders of Isreal to cross into Jordan and . . . Post the 10 Commandments!

Cursed be:

• Anyone who makes an idol (15)
• Anyone who dishonors his parents (16)
• Anyone who moves his neighbor's boundary marker (17)
• Anyone who misleads a blind person (18)
• Anyone who deprives an alien (illegal immigrant?), orphan and widow of justice (19)
• Anyone who lies with an animal, his father's wife, sister, mother-in-law (20 - 23)
• Anyone who strikes down a neighbor in secret (24)
• Anyone who takes a bribe to shed blood (25)
• Anyone who does not uphold the words of this law by observing them (26)

Question of the Day: How do the curses relate to the 10 commandments?

Deuteronomy 26

1 - 15 Litergical Declarations

This is the concluding section of all the rules. It describes what to do upon entry into the promised land. The giving of tithes is very important here.

16 - 19 Ratification of the Covenant

"This day the LORD, your God, commands you to observe these statutes and decrees. Be careful, then, to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul." This is and agreement with the LORD. He is to be your God and you are to walk in his ways and observe his statutes, commandments and decrees, and to hearken to his voice. But also the LORD is making this agreement with the Isrealites. God promises to raise them high "in praise and renown and glory above all other nations he has made," and that they will be a people sacred to the LORD.

Question of the Day: We think a lot about what is required of us in the covenant of God. What is required of God? Does he deliver?

Deuteronomy 25

1 - 4 Personal Dignity and Welfare (continued)

If two people have a fight, then a judge should decide the punishment. Being flogged is okay as long as there are no more than 40 lashes (which would degrade the offender).

Don't muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain (?)

5 - 10 Levirate Marriage

If a brother dies and leaves a wife childless, then the brother should marry her and the firstborn should succeed to the name of the dead brother. If the man doesn't want to marry her, she should go to the gate and tell everyone. The elders should spit in face. (Brothers should take care of widows).

11 - 12 Immodest Assault

Yikes!

13 - 16 Honest Weights and Measures

Be honest when you trade. Don't steal.

17 - 19 Extirpation of Amalek

Don't forget the troubles of the past.

Question of the Day: How are the penalties mentioned in this chapter equal to the "crime"?

Deuteronomy 24

1 - 4 Restriction of Remarriage

A specific instance against remarriage when 1) You married and divorced, 2) she went to another man, and 3) she comes back to you.

5 Exemption for the Newlywed

A man can't go into the army for 1 years after being married.

6 - 22 Personal Dignity and Welfare

Most of these involve treating your neighbor as you would want to be treated (especially the disadvantaged - orphans, etc.). Don't hold wages, don't put parents to death for things their children did, etc.

Question of the Day: What are the reasons for taking care of the disadvantaged?

Deuteronomy 23

1 - 8 Those Excluded From The Assembly

• Genetalia "problems" = ok to go to assembly.
• However, those born of "illicit union" can't go - not even to the 10th generation (I can only trace my family back 4 generations, so . . . ).
• No Ammonites or Moabites because they didn't meet the Isrealites with with food & water on their journey from Egypt.
• Don't hate Edomites (they're kin) or Egyptians (Isrealites resided there as aliens)

9 - 25 Sanitary, Ritual, and Humanitarian Precepts

• Guard against enemies.
• If one is unclean from "nocturnal emission" he can't come to camp until the next evening, and then only if he washes.
• Go the the bathroom outside of camp and cover it up.
• Don't return slaves who escape to you, but don't oppress them.
• No temple prostitutes.
• Don't charge interest to other Isrealites, but for foreigners, it's okay.
• If you vow something to God, fulfill it.
• If you go into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat your fill of grapes, but don't put any in a container and take off.
• If you go into your neighbor's standing grain, you may eat what you pluck with your hand ("five finger discount"), but don't take a sickle to it.

Question of the Day: Someone think of a question.

Deuteronomy 22

1 - 3 Return Of Lost Property

If you see a neighbor's animals walking away, return them to him (or donkey or garment) - DON'T STEAL!

4 - 12 Assorted Duties and Restrictions

• If you see your neighbor's donkey or ox fallen (or car?), help lift it up.
• No Cross Dressing (That means you, Bugs Bunny!)
• If you find a fallen nest, don't take the mother, just the babies
• Don't build a parapet. It's dangerous.
• Don't mix seeds in your vineyard
• Don't plow with a donkey and ox yoked together (wouldn't the donkey just be dragged along?)
• No clothes made of wool and linen together
• Make tassels on the 4 corners of your cloak

13 - 21 The Accused Bride

Here, the question of virginity is important.

22 - 30 Adultry and Related Offenses

Death seems to be the punishment in every case. If he deceives her, she may live. (unless she's a virgin not engaged, then he must pay her father for her and marry her. Also, don't marry your father's wife.

Question of the Day: A lot of these don't seem relevant or like common sense (see 4 - 12). Still, what are some pros and cons of these laws being so specific?

Deuteronomy 21

1 - 9 Law Concerning Murder by Persons Unknown

CSI: Promised Land: If a body is found in open country, bring the elders and judges together and take a heifer from the nearest town. Take the heifer to the water and break its neck. All the elders will "wash their hands of the blood of the heifer" and declare, "Our hands did not shed this blood, nor were we witnesses to it. Absolve, O Lord, your people of Israel, whom you redeemed; do not let the guilt of innocent blood remain in the midst of your people of Israel."

10 - 14 Female Captives

Female captives, particularly the beautiful ones, should shave their heads, cut their nails, discard the captive's garb and remain a month mourning her father and mother. After a month, you may marry her or set her free. Don't sell her for money.

15 - 17 The Right of the Firstborn

The firstborn gets the double portion, whether you like the wife or not (!)

18 - 21 Rebellious Children

Purge the evil from your midst by having rebellious children stoned by the community. (The example they use is one who is a glutton and a drunkard)

22 - 23 Various laws

If someone is executed by hanging, remove his corpse and bury him that day.

Question of the Day: I found I was most interested in verses 1 - 9 because I didn't understand it. How does that law predict what Jesus did for Our sins?

Deuteronomy 20

1 - 20 Conduct of Warfare

• Don't be afraid if he opposing army is bigger than you - for the Lord is with you.
• Offer the enemy terms of peace first, if it accepts, then all the people shall serve as forced labor. If it does not accept, then you may beseige it. Then the spoils of war are yours.
• If you make war in an area for a long time, don't destroy the trees (that produce food).

Question of the Day: Someone ask a question about war! (Not, "War! What is it Good for!")

Deuteronomy 19

1 - 13 Cities of Refuge

Set apart three cities for refuge for people wanted for murder. (This probably protects the avenger from breaking the commandments as much as it protects the murderer).

14 Proscription of Encroachment

Don't move your neighbor's boundary marker (it's like stealing, anyway . . . )

15 - 21 Witnesses

A single witness is not enough to convict a person of a crime. Then there are laws about false witnesses. Here's where the line comes: Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot."

Question of the Day: What did Jesus say when he referred to line 19?

Deuteronomy 18

1 - 8 The Levitical Priesthood

Levitical priests shall have no allotment or inheritance in Israel. I guess they can eat what the sacrifices, but they can't gain any thing by being priests.

9 - 22 Israal's Prophets

Again, if an Isrealite goes into strange lands, he can't take on the abhorrnet practices (religion) of the new lands. Then the Lord will raise up a prophet. The Isrealites should be able to recognize the prophet. "You may say to yourself, "How can we recognize a word that the Lord has not spoken? If a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, it is a word that God has not spoken. The prophet has spoke it presumptuously; do not be frightened by it. (21-22)

Question of the Day: I was thinking about how many times this book repeats the commandment not to take up the religions of strange lands. In what ways (other than practicing another faith) can we be guilty of "taking up the abhorrent practices" of strange lands?

Deuteronomy 17

1 - 13 Administration of Justice (continued)

If you see that someone is breaking the covenant (worshiping other gods), you should stone these people to death. Purge evil in your midst.

If the decision is too difficult for you then, you should tell a levitical priest and then carry out his decision. (It's also bad to disobey the priest). All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not act presumptuously again (13).

14 - 20 Kingship

When you come into a new land, you will set upon a king who the Lord will choose.

Question of the Day: I know these laws are beginning to get a little "dry" for studying (at least for me). Here is the question: What is the value of studying these old laws?

(This is what I've been thinking about and you don't have to comment on it, but When Jesus established the new covenant, did he set aside the first covenant? and if so, "Is the old covenant obsolete?" - see Hebrews 8)

Deuteronomy 16

1 - 17 Pilgrimage Festivals

Several festivals are described to remind the Isrealites of events that happened to their people. The passover, festivals of the booths, weeks, and unleavened bread are prescribed.

18 - 21 Administration of Justice

The Isrealites should appoint judges and officials to make decisions for the people. You must not distort justice; you must not show partiality; and you must not accept bribes. . . (19) Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Also, no trees as sacred poles or stone pillars (when used as idols, I guess).

Question of the Day: What should people look for when they choose the judges and officials? (see 18 - 20)