Deuteronomy 17
Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 17
The Great Commandment stated by Jesus, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
As we read case law passages, like today, where Israel was instructed on how to handle specific situations, it’s fair to ask, “what does this passage teach us about loving God and loving our neighbor?” Through that lens, there is much we can learn about the heart of God in Deuteronomy 17.
In verse 1, God called a blemished sacrifice “an abomination.” Why? We see many other passages that speak to this principle, but at issue here is the kind of heart that does not give their best to God. In Malachi, many centuries later, the Lord rebukes Israel by saying, “present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor?” Humanity’s tendency is to put ourselves first. God doesn’t need our offerings, what he wants is a heart that surrenders the best and the first for his sake and his glory. He wants the best for us, he is the best for us, so he wants us to want him—for our good and his glory.
Verses 2–13 deal with capitol offenses. These laws were intended to be preventative as well as purifying. First, we see that God called Israel to strict purity. They were supposed to be a Kingdom of Priests. In the same way as guarding your own witness in how you act, speak, dress, etc. Israel was to maintain internal national purity so that they nation could be salt and light to a corrupt world. On the one hand, purity is all about putting God first in our worship, but also trusting him in our circumstances. On the other hand, purity validates our platform to love our neighbors well.
Secondly, the harsh penalty for these capitol offenses was to deter people from doing these things. Inconsistent justice isn’t justice. God said, don’t kill or worship false gods that the inhabitants of the land worship. Keep in mind, Israel had not yet taken the Promised Land, this is the warning on the frontside. To the one who might think of committing murder or worshipping false idols, God wanted to make clear the consequences for such things was too high. In these case laws, we see God’s heart for justice. We can trust his character that the guilty will not go unpunished. But also, we see the protection he offers the accused. A very clear way of loving one’s neighbor is a fair trial when charges are brought. God did not want to add injustice to injustice, so accusations had to be proven.
In verses 14–20, we see God’s heart of concession. Israel was supposed to be a theocracy—ruled by God. Instead, God knew the people would eventually cry out for a monarchy, which they did. God established rules, which were not ultimately followed. Even if Israel had a king, God’s parameters were all about keeping the nation focused on loving him and loving others. That’s part of the reason the kings were to write out their own version of the law—proving they had no excuse when they disobeyed it.
Love God love others—what stood out to you about the Great Commandment from these verses? What do you need to change to live out the heart of God?
Written By: Tyler Short
The Great Commandment stated by Jesus, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37–40)
As we read case law passages, like today, where Israel was instructed on how to handle specific situations, it’s fair to ask, “what does this passage teach us about loving God and loving our neighbor?” Through that lens, there is much we can learn about the heart of God in Deuteronomy 17.
In verse 1, God called a blemished sacrifice “an abomination.” Why? We see many other passages that speak to this principle, but at issue here is the kind of heart that does not give their best to God. In Malachi, many centuries later, the Lord rebukes Israel by saying, “present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor?” Humanity’s tendency is to put ourselves first. God doesn’t need our offerings, what he wants is a heart that surrenders the best and the first for his sake and his glory. He wants the best for us, he is the best for us, so he wants us to want him—for our good and his glory.
Verses 2–13 deal with capitol offenses. These laws were intended to be preventative as well as purifying. First, we see that God called Israel to strict purity. They were supposed to be a Kingdom of Priests. In the same way as guarding your own witness in how you act, speak, dress, etc. Israel was to maintain internal national purity so that they nation could be salt and light to a corrupt world. On the one hand, purity is all about putting God first in our worship, but also trusting him in our circumstances. On the other hand, purity validates our platform to love our neighbors well.
Secondly, the harsh penalty for these capitol offenses was to deter people from doing these things. Inconsistent justice isn’t justice. God said, don’t kill or worship false gods that the inhabitants of the land worship. Keep in mind, Israel had not yet taken the Promised Land, this is the warning on the frontside. To the one who might think of committing murder or worshipping false idols, God wanted to make clear the consequences for such things was too high. In these case laws, we see God’s heart for justice. We can trust his character that the guilty will not go unpunished. But also, we see the protection he offers the accused. A very clear way of loving one’s neighbor is a fair trial when charges are brought. God did not want to add injustice to injustice, so accusations had to be proven.
In verses 14–20, we see God’s heart of concession. Israel was supposed to be a theocracy—ruled by God. Instead, God knew the people would eventually cry out for a monarchy, which they did. God established rules, which were not ultimately followed. Even if Israel had a king, God’s parameters were all about keeping the nation focused on loving him and loving others. That’s part of the reason the kings were to write out their own version of the law—proving they had no excuse when they disobeyed it.
Love God love others—what stood out to you about the Great Commandment from these verses? What do you need to change to live out the heart of God?
Written By: Tyler Short
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