AM Bible Study Group; December 7, 2011
Deuteronomy 24:5-22
Theme: The miscellaneous laws in this section call God’s people to think-ahead about the needs of others.
Mercy takes forethought. We need to have, as a way of life, the consideration of others in our plans and our actions. As Dr. Thomospon in his commentary on Deuteronomy wrote, "The humanitarian motive is strong throughout this section (6, 7, 10-13, 17, 18, 19-22). It was fundamental to Israel’s understanding of the covenant family that He who delivered Israel from Egypt had a special concern for the underprivileged and the weak" (p. 247). For God’s people, care for others is to be a way of thinking for life, rather than just an occasional occurrence.
Note in this passage how care for others is to show itself in . . .
I. ENLISTMENTS TO WAR (v. 5).
See also 2:7. Warfare is not to be so desperately executed that common mercies to families is forfeited.
II. THE TAKING OF PLEDGES (v. 6).
Two stones were needed in grinding mill. To take even one (either the upper or the lower) would render it impossible for a man to work in order to pay off his debt. The taking of a pledge in a loan was not required; but if it was done, it must be done in a merciful way.
III. PUNISHMENT OF KIDNAPPERS (v. 7).
Man-stealing was a common practice in ancient cultures. But it was forbidden among God’s people, and warranted the same death penalty as murder (see Exodus 21:16). This was different, however, in the case of voluntary servitude (see Deuteronomy 15:12-18).
IV. MATTERS OF PUBLIC HEALTH (vv. 8-9).
Leviticus 13-14 gave specific instructions regarding the treatment of cases of leprosy. It was a matter of public health; and care for others meant doing what the priests said. Even Miriam—the sister of Moses—was made to stay out of the camp in her case of leprosy (see Numbers 12:10-15; especially v. 15).
V. HANDLING OF LOANS (vv. 10-13).
Interest was forbidden (23:19-20). But security for loans was permitted. But the borrower must be treated with dignity by the lender. Both the sanctity of their home and the justice to their person was to be protected (see Exodus 22:26-27).
VI. PAYING OF WORKERS (vv. 14-15).
The people were to pay their workers on time (see Leviticus 19:13; Malachi 3:5; James 5:4).
VII. PUNISHMENT OF CAPITAL CRIMINALS (v. 16).
Personal responsibility was emphasized. No one was allowed to punish others for their actions; and innocent people were not to be put to death for the crimes of their close relatives.
VIII. SHOWING JUSTICE TO THE DEFENSLESS (vv. 17-18).
Kings have this duty (Psalm 71:12-14); but so did all of society (Deuteronomy 10:18; 27:19; Exodus 22:22; 23:6-9). Levites were also to be shown mercy (Deuteronomy 14:29; 16:11-14).
IV. HARVESTING OF CROPS (vv. 9-22).
The people were to remember the poor in the harvesting of all their crops. Remember the story of Ruth (Ruth 2).
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Always, care and respect to the needs of others is something we are to give forethought to as God’s people. As Paul wrote in Philippians 2:3-4, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others." This, He goes on to tell us, is the mind of Christ Himself.