Deuteronomy 21:1-23
Q.1. How did God view murder in the land of Israel? In what way was the guilt for the shedding of innocent blood atoned? What impact would this have on the people? (Dt.21:1-9)
The murder of any person brought guilt upon the whole nation. Every Israelite was responsible to prevent the shedding of blood in the Promised Land. Since God does not treat life trivially, neither should His people. To atone for such sin (if the murderer was unknown) required the shedding of the blood of a (substitutionary) unworked heifer. Added to this was the demanding process of determining the closest city, and involvement required by the elders and the priests – … the sons of Levi, shall come near, for the Lord your God has chosen them to serve Him and to bless in the name of the Lord; and every dispute and every assault shall be settled by them (Dt.21:5). They had to select a virgin valley with running water, sacrifice the heifer, and declare – 7 … `Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it. 8 Forgive Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, O Lord, and do not place the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of Your people Israel.’ And the blood guiltiness shall be forgiven them (Dt.21:7-8). This would proclaim to all Israel that murder was serious, and that it polluted the land, until there was atonement for it.
Q.2. What protection was built into the Law for foreign and unloved wives and their children? – (Dt.21:10-17)
Foreign brides were protected from abuse. They were to be given time to grieve, and to adjust to the new community. They could not simply be sold or disposed of. They had to be treated generously and with dignity. The same principles applied in a polygamous marriage, where one wife was preferred above another. The husband was held accountable for fulfilling his responsibilities to her children, especially the firstborn – … by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; to him belongs the right of the firstborn (Dt.21:17).
Q.3. Why was a rebellious son dealt with so severely? In the case of capital punishment, why was a corpse not to hang overnight? How does this relate to Christ? – (Dt.21:18-23 c.f. 2 Sam.21:8-14; Gal.3:13)
Giving honour to parents – is the first commandment with a promise – SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH (Eph.6:2-3). So – “If any man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father or his mother, and when they chastise him, he will not even listen to them (Dt.21:18), they were to be presented to the elders and stoned to death – … so you shall remove the evil from your midst, and all Israel will hear of it and fear (Dt.21:21). In the case of capital punishment, especially by hanging, the convicted criminal was to be taken down at night and buried. Historically, this was played out in the mistreatment of the Gibeonites by the house of Saul. Day after day, the mourning Rizpah – allowed neither the birds of the sky to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night (2 Sam.21:10). God removed the curse after they buried the bodies of the house of Saul (2 Sam.21:14). Paul quoted Deuteronomy when stating that Christ died as a criminal. This proved the depth of His humiliation, and the breadth of His grace to even the worst of sinners (Gal.3:13; Phil.2:7-8). Thank you, Lord Jesus.