RPG Adults
HARMONY IN THE FAMILY
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Deuteronomy 21:18-23
Galatians 5:22-26
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love,
joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith…”
HARMONY IN THE FAMILY
The mention of polygamy and the giving of this law (in Deuteronomy 21) do not mean that God approves of polygamous marriages. When the Pharisees asked Jesus if it was lawful for a man to put away his wife for any cause, the Lord answered that He who made them in the beginning made them male and female. When they marry, the husband and wife become one flesh. The Pharisees then asked for clarification on why Moses gave them a law that allowed divorce. Jesus answered that Moses gave them that law because of the hardness of their hearts but in the beginning (i.e. at creation) it was not so (Matt 19:3-9). God tolerated both polygamy and divorce because of the hardness of the hearts of the Israelites. The eternal law that brings love and happiness is one man and one woman only in a marriage. Any breach of God’s order amounts to the sin of adultery.
Children are part of the family and they need discipline. One of the Ten Commandments is “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Deut 5:16). The specific law given in Deuteronomy 21:18-21 touched on a son who was beyond parental control, one who had failed to keep the commandment. Such a son would be brought before the elders of the city and the parents would accuse him. The offences included being stubborn, rebellious, disobedient, gluttonous and drunk. When these offences were proven and there was no repentance, then that son would be put to death by stoning.
According to Deuteronomy 21:22-23, other offenders were executed by hanging on a tree, and were made a curse. [Note: The sinless Lord Jesus Christ “hangeth on a tree” (Gal 3:13) and was made a curse because of our sins.] These laws were given to guide the nation Israel on how they were to resolve these grave matters. (Much of these today belong to the judicial laws under the civil government.) These also instruct the reader that all things are to be done decently and in order. The best, however, is to avoid these sins totally. Salvation in Christ is the answer (Gal 5:22-24).
THOUGHT: Obeying God’s commandments leads to happy homes.
PRAYER: Father, may harmony and peace reign in my home.