Deuteronomy 25 

Among the various laws outlined in Deuteronomy 25, a few are addressed again elsewhere in Scripture. As such, I think they are important for us to take a closer look here:

·       If a man was found guilty in a dispute and deserved to be beaten, “Forty stripes may be given him, but not more, lest, if one should go on to beat him with more stripes than these, your brother be degraded in your sight” (v. 3). The Apostle Paul, speaking to the sufferings he endured for the sake of Christ, confirms that “Five times [he] received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one” (2 Corinthians 11:24). Although we may never experience physical persecution for our faith, we should not be surprised when what we believe puts at odds with others, which may very well result in mocking, scoffing, isolation, or other forms of mistreatment. 

·       “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain” (v. 4). For followers of Jesus, the age we live in is harvest time. Why should we remain silent when there is a world that needs to hear the message of hope and reconciliation? In 1 Corinthians 9 and 1 Timothy 5, Paul says this should not be. Rather, as the Day of the Lord draws near, let us be emboldened to share with those who are not following Jesus the only means by which they may be saved from God’s coming wrath. 

·       In verses 5-10, provisions are given for a woman whose husband dies but has a brother-in-law nearby to marry her. This law was given to emphasize the importance of preserving the family line, and it was one that the Sadducees brought to Jesus in Matthew 22:23-33. Specifically, these religious leaders, who did not believe in the resurrection, questioned whose wife this woman who had married multiple husbands would be, since all had a legal right to her at one time or another (Matthew 22:28). Jesus responded to those who were trying to trick Him by showing the futility of their argument, while at the same time validating that God is a God of the living who has the power to raise the dead. What hope this truth of eternal life offers us here and now, as the best is truly yet to come! 

·       “You shall not have in your bag two kinds of weights, a large and a small. You shall not have in your house two kinds of measures, a large and a small. A full and fair weight you shall have, a full and fair measure you shall have, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the LORD your God” (vv. 13-16). God desires for us to deal justly and equitably with one another, as Solomon reminds us in Proverbs 20:10: “Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to” Him. For supervisors, parents, leaders, and anyone else in authority over others, I would ask you to consider whether you show favoritism to any particular person or group, or whether all those entrusted to your care receive equitable treatment. 

As I have alluded to before, it is so easy to gloss over these chapters and wonder why they are included in the Scripture account. I know this because I did the same thing my first few times reading through the Bible. However, once the Holy Spirit helped me gain a greater, broader, and more comprehensive understanding of God’s Word, I recognized that so much of what we are covering was not intended merely for the people of Israel. Instead, I believe God ensured these words were included so that all those who put their faith in Him could make application in their lives, no matter the era in which they lived. His Word is timeless!  

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       As the Day of the Lord draws near, do you feel a sense of urgency to share with those who are not following Jesus the only means by which they may be saved from God’s coming wrath?

·       Do you show favoritism to any particular person or group, or do all those entrusted to your care receive equitable treatment?