Deuteronomy 17-20
An Overview of Chapter 17
Several laws are listed here:
- no sacrifice should have a blemish or defect.
- if someone is rumored to be serving other gods, their is to be a thorough investigation.
- if they are found to be guilty (two or three witnesses) they are to be stoned to death.
- the witnesses cast the first stone.
- if a case is too difficult to decide then the priest or judge will hear the case.
- if someone does not abide by the ruling of the judge then they are to be stoned.
A prophecy is given that the people will ask for a king in the new land, here are the rules for the king:
- God chooses the king.
- he must be an Israelite.
- he will not have a bunch of horses.
- he will not send any of his people to Egypt on business.
- he will not have a bunch of wives (they will turn his heart from God).
- he will not have a bunch of money.
- he will write his own copy of the law.
- he will read the law daily.
An Overview of Chapter 18
Because the Levite will not receive an inheritance in the land they are to be paid with the sacrifices of the people. They get the shoulder, cheeks, and stomach of the animal sacrifices. They get some of the first fruit offerings. If a Levite comes to serve in the tabernacle by his own free will, he will receive the same payment as all the other Levites.
People not aloud to live in the land (if they are found they are to be killed):
- people who sacrifice their children to other gods.
- people involved in divination, witchcraft, omens, sorcery, spell casting, mediums, spiritists, or anyone who talks to dead people.
A test is given for a false prophet. If someone prophesies and the thing does not come true then the Israelites are to kill him.
An Overview of Chapter 19
The description of the cities of refuge is given again here, as well as the laws for determine if a death is accidental or murder. The murder suspect can run to one of the cities of refuge to be protected until a judgement is made in their case. If they are guilty then a member of the victims family may kill them.
A law is given telling people not to move the boundary marks that will be established at the division of the inheritance.
Cases should be investigated thoroughly, and if a witness lies they will receive the punishment that would have went to the accused.
An Overview of Chapter 20
Military laws.
- don’t be scared, God has it under control.
- the priest will give a benediction before they leave for battle.
- the officers will send all soldiers home who are in a new house, growing a new vineyard, engaged, or scared.
- before fighting offer terms of peace (mainly that the other side become your slaves).
- all the men will be killed (everyone will be killed as they enter the promised land).
- if you besiege a city for a long time, don’t cut down the fruit trees because you can eat the fruit.
Reflection
Do you offer God the best of what you have or the leftovers? When you have difficult problems with other believers do you bring the situation to the church leadership? Do you support those who serve in the church.
For Further Study
Witness: Leviticus 5:1, Deuteronomy 5:20, Proverbs 14:25, Matthew 15:19, Acts 1:8, 2Corinthians 13:1, Philippians 1:8, 1Timothy 5:19, Hebrews 10:28-29.
Several laws are listed here:
- no sacrifice should have a blemish or defect.
- if someone is rumored to be serving other gods, their is to be a thorough investigation.
- if they are found to be guilty (two or three witnesses) they are to be stoned to death.
- the witnesses cast the first stone.
- if a case is too difficult to decide then the priest or judge will hear the case.
- if someone does not abide by the ruling of the judge then they are to be stoned.
A prophecy is given that the people will ask for a king in the new land, here are the rules for the king:
- God chooses the king.
- he must be an Israelite.
- he will not have a bunch of horses.
- he will not send any of his people to Egypt on business.
- he will not have a bunch of wives (they will turn his heart from God).
- he will not have a bunch of money.
- he will write his own copy of the law.
- he will read the law daily.
An Overview of Chapter 18
Because the Levite will not receive an inheritance in the land they are to be paid with the sacrifices of the people. They get the shoulder, cheeks, and stomach of the animal sacrifices. They get some of the first fruit offerings. If a Levite comes to serve in the tabernacle by his own free will, he will receive the same payment as all the other Levites.
People not aloud to live in the land (if they are found they are to be killed):
- people who sacrifice their children to other gods.
- people involved in divination, witchcraft, omens, sorcery, spell casting, mediums, spiritists, or anyone who talks to dead people.
A test is given for a false prophet. If someone prophesies and the thing does not come true then the Israelites are to kill him.
An Overview of Chapter 19
The description of the cities of refuge is given again here, as well as the laws for determine if a death is accidental or murder. The murder suspect can run to one of the cities of refuge to be protected until a judgement is made in their case. If they are guilty then a member of the victims family may kill them.
A law is given telling people not to move the boundary marks that will be established at the division of the inheritance.
Cases should be investigated thoroughly, and if a witness lies they will receive the punishment that would have went to the accused.
An Overview of Chapter 20
Military laws.
- don’t be scared, God has it under control.
- the priest will give a benediction before they leave for battle.
- the officers will send all soldiers home who are in a new house, growing a new vineyard, engaged, or scared.
- before fighting offer terms of peace (mainly that the other side become your slaves).
- all the men will be killed (everyone will be killed as they enter the promised land).
- if you besiege a city for a long time, don’t cut down the fruit trees because you can eat the fruit.
Reflection
Do you offer God the best of what you have or the leftovers? When you have difficult problems with other believers do you bring the situation to the church leadership? Do you support those who serve in the church.
For Further Study
Witness: Leviticus 5:1, Deuteronomy 5:20, Proverbs 14:25, Matthew 15:19, Acts 1:8, 2Corinthians 13:1, Philippians 1:8, 1Timothy 5:19, Hebrews 10:28-29.
posted by Shaun Sells | 11:50 PM
1 Comments:
Thank you Pastor for your faithfulness... regardless! I appreciate your wisdom and your heart-stirring reflections. Michael
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