Readings for today: Deuteronomy 20-23
Whew. All kinds of confusing stuff in today’s reading. Holy war. The massacre of innocents. Strange regulations regarding unsolved murders. Intermarriage with female prisoners. Inheritance rights. Rebellious children. And then a whole string of random laws governing livestock, agriculture, and fashion. Followed by an extended section on sexual immorality and ritual purity. Then another string of random laws governing slavery, banking, and sacred vows. It’s enough to make one’s head spin!
What do we make of it all? Well, first and foremost, we must acknowledge many of these laws are specifically directed at ancient Israel and therefore have no real application for today. They are designed for a cultural context with which we have no familiarity. They may seem barbaric at times and odd at other times but they held real purpose for an ancient people who were just getting started as a nation. However, this doesn’t mean we have nothing to learn from the text. God is communicating something about Himself to us through these ancient words. For example, purity. Notice how God restricts the sowing of two different kinds of seed and the mixing of fibers in clothing and forbids cross-dressing. God is clearly concerned with keeping things distinct and orderly and “according to its kind” much like He did in the creation narrative in Genesis 1. Second, holiness. Why does God demand Israel kill everything in the pagan cities they conquer? He’s concerned anyone or anything left over will become a problem for Israel. He’s concerned they will be tempted to worship other gods. He even says as much in Deuteronomy 20:18, “so that they won’t teach you to do all the detestable acts they do for their gods, and you sin against the Lord your God.” I know this sounds incredibly harsh and unyielding and unfair in our ears but God will not tolerate any rivals for our affections. He is serious about the sin of idolatry. And for those who might be tempted to dismiss the Old Testament God in favor of the New Testament God, please remember Jesus’ words about the final judgment. God will separate the believers from the unbelievers. Heaven and hell are eternal realities. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Reading this text today can also expose our natural bias. We typically come to the text with a “hermeneutic of suspicion.” Which is to say, we come to the text demanding that it prove itself to us. Prove it’s worth by giving us something to apply to our lives. We have this natural tendency to want to turn the text into a self-help manual. A roadmap to our “best life” now. We want the text to speak to our cultural moment. We want to rub the text like a lamp and treat God like a genie. Instead, texts like the one for today demand something from us. Demand that we take God seriously. Demand that we treat the text on its terms and not our own. It forces us out of our cultural arrogance and chronological snobbery as we come face to face with the holiness of God.
Does that mean there is nothing here for us to hold onto for hope? Not at all! We just have to keep digging. Keep praying. Keep seeking. Keep searching. Dig down deep enough below the surface regulations and what do we discover about God’s nature and character? He loves His people. Fiercely. Loyally. Stubbornly. He does not want to see them fall into temptation. Our God is a God of reconciliation and forgiveness even in situations where justice cannot be served because the murderer cannot be found. Our God is a God of mercy and compassion which is why He graciously welcomes those women captured in battle - who in ancient times were often treated brutally - as part of His people. He orders society for the good of all, protecting property and inheritance rights. He protects the poor from predatory lending and provides for them by allowing them to glean in the fields. He is concerned about the pain and suffering that comes from rampant sexual immorality so He places protections around the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. All of this is in the best interest of His chosen people.
Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 24-27