A Holy Nation (3): Deuteronomy 22-24.4 (4)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 144.1, 2
Blessed be the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war,
And my fingers for battle—
My lovingkindness and my fortress,
My high tower and my deliverer,
My shield and the One in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues my people under me.

Psalm 144.1, 2, 15
(Tidings: O Zion, Haste, Your Mission High Fulfilling)
Blessed be the Lord, Who trains my hands for battle;
He is my Rock, my steadfast love and strength!
He is my shield; no foe can shake or rattle;
He will subdue them all to me at length.
Refrain v. 15
 Happy are they on whom blessings fall!
 Blessed are the people who on Jesus’ mercy call!

Today’s Text: Deuteronomy 23.9-20

Preparation
1. Why was it essential to keep military encampments clean?

2. What was to be done about slaves who ran away?

Meditation
There’s a certain randomness to the statutes Moses chose to include in the book of Deuteronomy. Certainly, he left many out of those which are mentioned elsewhere in the Law (Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers). In Deuteronomy he seems to highlight just a few of the many statutes, rules, precepts, and testimonies given to guide God’s people in loving Him and their neighbor. It’s not always clear why he chose the ones he did for Deuteronomy.

However, since the people were getting ready to go to war, some counsel about martial affairs would have been in order (as we have seen, chapter 20). Certainly, keeping their camps clean would seem to have been in order (vv. 9-14). God was in their midst, after all (v. 14), and they must work to maintain holiness even in the midst of their warfare.

Perhaps some slaves would be taken during the war, and perhaps some of those slaves might escape. The people were not to waste time chasing down runaways. Those to whom runaways fled for refuge should receive them and make a place for them (vv. 15, 16). This law of runaways would continue into the time of the settlement of the land, and it may well have been in Paul’s mind as he sent the runaway Onesimus back to Philemon. He made a point of saying that he was not sending him back as a slave, but as a brother in Christ (Philem. 1.8-16).

Verses 11 and 18 are yet another reminder not to fall into idolatrous practices, because these are abominable to the Lord. And verses 19 and 20 deal with charging interest on loans of money, food, or anything that is loaned out. Israelites must not charge interest to one another (Ex. 22.5; Lev. 25.35-41); however, they were allowed to charge interest to foreigners. These instructions were perhaps added here because, as we can imagine, the first settlement of the land would find neighbors helping one another, loaning tools and food and perhaps even money as they worked together to set up their communities. From the get-go, the people were to help one another freely, and not take advantage of one another for material gain.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Clean: free from dirt, marks, or stains (adjective). Clean: so as to be free from dirt, marks, or unwanted matter (verb). Clean: make something or someone free from dirt, marks, or mess, especially by washing, wiping, or brushing (verb). God wants us and our surroundings to be physically and spiritually clean. He doesn’t want to have to “watch where He steps” in anything related to us: “For the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you” (Deut. 23.14). “Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully” (Ps. 24.3, 4). It is one thing to tidy up our dwellings, but another to clean out our souls. No amount of household cleanser can fix the inside of us. Only God can do that. We though, in contrast to dirt, have to participate in the restorative cleansing: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse yourhands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (Jms. 4.7-10). And He wants to do it, because He loves us (Deut. 23.5).

Reflection
1. Outward cleanliness can serve us as both a reminder and a sign. Explain.
 
2. In almost every section of Deuteronomy, since chapter 5, something comes up to remind us not to make idols or practice pagan ways. Why?

3. How would you describe the attitude of God’s Law toward those who were slaves?

What he had taught with respect to the preservation of purity at home, and in time of peace, he now extends to times of war also, so that they might keep themselves clean from all defilement even in the midst of the clang of arms.  John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Deuteronomy 23.9-14

Lord, let there be no uncleanness in me; help me to repent of all known sin, so that I…

Closing Prayer: Psalm 144.3-15
Thank the Lord for His great love for you. Seek His Presence in prayer, and ask Him to shed His light on all your doings for this day.

Psalm 144.3-15
(Tidings: O Zion, Haste, Your Mission High Fulfilling)
Lord, who are we, that You regard and love us?
Why should You care for our poor sinful plight?
We are but breath; You dwell on high above us;
our days like shadows pass before Your light.
Refrain v. 15
 Happy are they on whom blessings fall!
 Blessed are the people who on Jesus’ mercy call!

Bow down the heav’ns, come down and touch the mountains.
Flash forth like lightning; scatter all Your foes!
Send out Your arrows, send them out to rout them;
stretch forth Your hand and save us from all woes!
Refrain

From every foe and every lie deliver!
Then will we sing new songs unto Your praise.
Rescue Your servants, who are Yours forever;
grant us deliv’rance by Your hand always.
Refrain

Bless, Lord, our children, strengthen them forever.
All our provision, day by day supply.
Bless our endeavors; from distress deliver.
Keep us from harm and all distressing cries.
Refrain

T. M. and Susie Moore

Listen to our summary of last week’s study in Deuteronomy by clicking here. You can download all the studies in the series by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy: Ancient Christian Commentary Series III, Joseph T. Lienhard, S. J. ed. in collaboration with Ronnie J. Rombs, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001). All quotations from John Calvin from John Calvin, Commentaries on The Four Last Books of Moses Arranged in the Order of A Harmony, Rev. Charles William Bingham M. A., tr. and ed. (Edinburgh: The Calvin Translation Society, 1863. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).