Deuteronomy 22-23

Our reading today covers a multitude of laws given by God to His people. Let’s look at some of them individually to find applications for us in the present. First from chapter 22:

·       “And you shall do the same with his donkey or with his garment, or with any lost thing of your brother's, which he loses and you find; you may not ignore it. You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them” (22:3-4; emphasis added). You may have heard about the concept of sinning by omission. In essence, this is knowing the right thing to do, but not doing it (James 4:17). Such was the case with these verses from Deuteronomy 22, as God made clear that when someone saw a need among those in the camp, he was not to turn a blind eye to his brother. For followers of Jesus, we are prompted to consider whether the love of God truly abides in us if we see and can meet a need yet close our hearts to that person (1 John 3:17).

·       “A woman shall not wear a man's garment, nor shall a man put on a woman's cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God” (22:5). Pretty strong words here to emphasize that men should dress (and act) like men, while women should dress (and act) like women. One quick word here, though, if I may. Remember that we are called to love the person and hate the sin. Too often, particularly toward those who are engaged in lifestyles that run counter to God’s design (not just isolated to sexual identity confusion, by the way), we throw the individual out with their sin, as if they are a lost cause. They may certainly be lost, but even more of a reason why we should ensure they lovingly hear the good news of the Gospel. Remember, Jesus came “not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17).

·       “When you build a new house, you shall make a [railing] for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it” (22:8). David Guzik, reflecting on a sermon from Charles Spurgeon, states that “just as there was to be a railing for the protection of people on the roofs of Israel’s homes, there are also spiritual railings for our protection. Many people, in regard to sin, get too close to the edge and fall off. Then it’s too late! We need to have ‘railings’ protecting us from the edge. Such railings will not only protect us, but others also.”[i]

·       In verses 13-30 of our opening chapter, we read of laws pertaining to sexual morality, with a great deal of emphasis on protecting a woman who did no wrong and the purity of the bride. To the latter, let it be said of us that we take great strides to protect our purity by not being corrupted by “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life” (1 John 2:16). When the Bridegroom comes to gather His bride (the body of Christ), will we have clothed ourselves in pure and bright fine linen through our righteous deeds (Revelation 19:7-8), or will our garments be stained and wrinkled because of our comingling with this fallen world?   

Now from Deuteronomy 23:

·       The first eight verses of this chapter outline provisions for those worshipping God to maintain cleanliness within the gathered assembly. “Such restrictions were aimed at preserving Israel’s distinctive testimony to God’s holiness and were designed to guard the Hebrew worshipping community from alien pagan influences.”[ii]

·       Speaking of holiness, the next section of Scripture (23:9-14) contains laws regarding personal hygiene and cleanliness. Because the Israelites recognized that “the LORD your God walks in the midst of your camp” (23:14), they would not have wanted Him “to see anything which is unfitting as he walks around their tents. For the Hebrew people, their everyday conduct was determined by the nature of God. Because he is holy, they were to be like him: ‘Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy.’”[iii] If that was true for Israel, why shouldn’t it be so for Christians today? 

·       Chapter 23 closes with miscellaneous laws revealing more of God’s heart. Through these final verses, we see that God showed great concern for those who could not help themselves (23:15-16), was vehemently opposed to sexual perversion (23:17-18), would not tolerate someone taking advantage of another in their times of desperation (23:19-20), took seriously a person’s promised commitments (23:21-23), and had compassion for people who were destitute and in need of daily sustenance to survive (23:24-25). I think we would all agree that these laws seem like they would have been good and right for the people of Israel then, but the question we must ask ourselves as a Christian community is whether we think they are still good and right for us here and now? And if so, do our actions line up with that affirmation? 

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       When the Bridegroom comes to gather His bride (the body of Christ), will you have clothed yourself in pure and bright fine linen through your righteous deeds, or will your garments be stained and wrinkled because of your comingling with this fallen world?    

·       Reviewing the laws that God provided His people in Deuteronomy 23:15-25 (and elsewhere), do you agree that these commands are good and right for the Christian community today? And if so, do your actions line up with that affirmation? 

[i] Study Guide for Deuteronomy 22. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved June 18, 2026, from 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/deuteronomy/deuteronomy-22.cfm?a=175001

[ii] Brown, R. (1993). The message of Deuteronomy: Not by bread alone. Inter-Varsity Press. p. 219.

[iii] ibid, p. 221.