Bible Study Notes 1999
20 April 1999
Text:
Deuteronomy 23
MISCELLANEOUS LAWS
Laws Of Exclusion Of People Into
The Assembly Of The Lord
(Deut 23:1-8)
1.
The eunuch Deut
23:1
2.
Illegitimate children Deut
23:2
3.
Ammonites / Moabites Deut
23:3-6
4.
Edomites Deut
23:7-8
Law Of Cleanliness In The
Wilderness Campsite (Deut 23:9-14)
1.
Especially when a war campaign is on Deut
23:9
2.
If he has special ablution needs
Deut 23:20-14
Concerning Escaped Slaves (Deut
23:15-16)
1.
Escaped slaves are not to be returned to their masters (safety reasons) Deut 23:15
2.
They are not to be (further) oppressed
Deut 23:16
The Question Of Prostitution (Deut
23:17-18)
1.
Prostitution forbidden Deut
23:17
2.
Even their offerings are to be rejected
Deut 23:18
The Question Of Charging Of
Interest (Deut 23:19-20)
1.
No charging of interest with reference to "a brother" Deut 23:19
2.
Charging of interest allowable to foreigners
Deut 23:20
The Question Of Vows To God (Deut
23:21-23)
1.
One must not delay to pay what is vowed
Deut 23:21
2.
God requires the vow to be paid
Deut 23:23
3.
God regards vows seriously
Deut 23:23
The Neighbour's Vineyard (Deut
23:24-25)
1.
One may eat of the neighbour's grapes/grain
Deut 23:24-25
2.
However there must be no abuse of privileges
Deut 23:25
Text: Deut 24; Matt 19; 1 Cor 7
The Question Of Divorce
1.
Mishandling Of The Word Of God
a)
When arguments are based only on one or two texts when ALL relevant texts must be
given due consideration.
b)
When personal agenda may be present, but hidden.
c)
When societal, traditional practices are allowed to overshadow the full teaching of
God's Word.
2.
Towards A Correct Approach Of Interpreting God's Word
a)
The right start "The Sabbath (Law) is made for Man, and Not Man for the
Sabbath" Mark 2:28 (Cf. Matt 12:1-8;
Luke 6:1-5)
i) God gave laws to help man
regulate the complexities of life
ii) While laws carried authority,
laws were never meant to enslave man
iii) The practice of
"mercy" (understanding, compassion, etc) is meant to be paramount in the mind of
those appealing to the law.
b)
A complex issue - more than one issue at stake
i) Legal
ii) Spiritual
iii) Personal
(emotional, psychological)
iv) Family (children, others in the
family)
c)
An accurate and sensitive understanding of the Law and its applications of critical
importance
i) Context of critical
importance
ii) Gentleness
of application essential too
3.
A General Statement At The Start
a)
Divorce was not God's original plan
b)
Divorce is not His first option
c)
It may even be said, God hates divorce (Mal 2:16) but does He hate the divorcee? (Cf. Contextual study of Malachi 2 of great
importance. In the context, God was dealing
with treachery, where divorce was contemplated and practised as part of the treacherous
plans of some).
4.
Divorce Allowed, Though Not Advised
a)
Divorce for women (P.O.W.) rejected by their captors
Deut 21:10-14
b)
A formal certificate of divorce to be given to the divorced wife Deut 24:1
c)
She is allowed to be married
Deut 24:2
d)
She experiences divorce once again
Deut 24:3
e)
The comment of the Lord Jesus on this text
Matt 19:1-12
i) Why Moses allowed divorce
in the first place ("Because of the hardness of the heart" Matt 19:8)
ii) Divorce not to be contemplated
easily, except in special circumstances
f)
The comments of Paul on this subject of divorce
i) Paul also allows for
divorce but also NOT as the first option
1 Cor 7:1-16
ii) He appeals to our being
"bought at a price" (1 Cor 7:23) as a means of helping the individual to live
responsibly.
Practical Application Of God's Word
In Life
1.
It is important to fully comprehend the full truth before attempting to apply it.
2.
It is of great significance to search our hearts deeply before application.
3.
There is no "royal road" when it comes to the matter of resolving marital
conflicts.
4.
The question of divorce should only be considered when all else has failed.
5.
It is important to remember that LIFE goes on, even after a marriage has failed.