Deuteronomy 24:1-22
Q.1. Who gave the guidelines for the protection of a divorced woman? Was God opposed to all re-marriage? Why? Why was a newly married man exempt from army service? – (Dt.24:1-5 c.f. Dt.23:21-23)
It is clear that God designed the permanence of marriage between a man to a woman as the model for His relationship with the church (Eph.5:32, 25-27). These divorce concessions were given by God in order to allow for people’s hard-heartedness, and to protect the weaker vessel (Dt.24:1-4 c.f. Mt.19:1-8; 1 Pet.3:7). Provision was made under certain circumstances for remarriage, although a man could not remarry his former wife. This restriction would prevent thoughtless divorce actions, taken in the heat of the moment. It would also preserve the integrity of making a vow as taken in marriage – You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God, what you have promised (Dt.23:23). Soldiers needed to be single-minded when they went to war. Therefore the commanding officers had to remove from the ranks all who were reluctant to go into battle (Dt.20:1-9). This included newly married men. (Dt.24:5).
Q.2. Why were restrictions placed on pledges? Was the treatment of leprosy a private affair? Why were the people to pay fair wages? – (Dt.24:6-15)
Israel had laws in place, in order to protect against civil unrest. The taking of pledges from the poor and defenceless was forbidden. This equally applied to taking advantage of hired hands – … so that he will not cry against you to the Lord and it became sin in you (Dt.24:15). The public had to be protected from anyone who posed a threat to the welfare of the majority. Consequently, leprosy was not a private matter, but required the supervision of the resident medical officer, the priest – “Be careful against an infection of leprosy, that you diligently observe and do according to all that the Levitical priests teach you; as I have commanded them, so you shall be careful to do (Dt.24:8).
Q.3. What provision was made for social welfare in Israel? Why were the defenceless to be treated with compassion? – (Dt.24:16-22)
The administration of justice and social welfare was highly efficient in Israel: (i) the priests and Levites who administered both religious and medical oversight, were paid out of the tithes and offerings, the proceeds of which were enjoyed by all the faithful among the tribes of Israel; (ii) Justice was administered by self-supporting elders at the gate of each tribal city; (iii) the responsibility for the welfare of the poor, the elderly, the fatherless, the widows, the foreigners, and the defenceless fell on all the people. Â