Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Deuteronomy 17 continues the repetition of the law.  The requirement for two or three witnesses before the death penalty is carried out is repeated.  The Levites are the final judiciary authority if the judges cannot come to a decision.  They are like our appeals courts.

Jehovah knew the Israelites would want a king like other nations and tells them to only accept a king that He gives to them.  The king also must have his own copy of the Levitical law.  How could the leadership help them follow Yahweh if they do not know His Statutes and principals?

We start out again in Deuteronomy 18 with a reminder that the Levites are due a portion of the sacrifices.  The parts of the animal they are to receive are specified.

Today we have many who dabble in witchcraft or sorcery or are interested in reading books about these.  The Harry Potter series is full of this kind of practice.  Mediums are also popular in modern times.  I have heard that people may not be Christians, but they claim to be spiritual.  This chapter denounces all forms of spiritual practice that does not have Jehovah at the center.  He finds these things detestable.  For the Christian, we must keep ourselves separate from anything that He does not approve of.  We are saved from our sins, but we still will suffer the consequences of them.

Prophecy is also rampant these days.  Here we have the answer for how to judge a prophet of Yahweh from someone who is not.  If the prophecy is true, every time, they are true prophets.  If they miss, even once, they are false prophets.  It is that simple.

A city of refuge as defined in Deuteronomy 19, is one of three towns that an Israelite can escape to in the event they accidentally kill someone.  These communities will not protect a murderer.  The avengers that cannot follow them into these cities are family or friends who are set on revenge.  The eye for an eye and life for a life law is overruled in this case.

The basis for multiple witnesses in a trial is again mentioned here.  This time it is not just for capital cases.  Justice is an idea that God wants us to strive for.  Mercy will come later.

Deuteronomy 20 begins with instructions on how to conquer their enemies in Canaan.  Each battle should begin with a priest proclaiming that Jehovah will fight for them.  Then the officers give anyone who has a good reason or is merely fearful, to go home.  Conscientious objectors would fall into this category.

Each city should have the opportunity to surrender.  If they refuse, all men are to be killed, while the women, children and all other possessions can be taken as plunder.  Certain of the nations must be destroyed with no survivors or animals left alive.  These people groups are the ones that they have been warned not to worship their gods.

Note the last paragraph that instructs them not to destroy fruit trees.  This seems to be common sense.  Fresh fruit is always beneficial to humans.  It seems odd that Yahweh would add this idea to guidelines for taking the land.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger