RPG Adults
THE TREATMENT OF OTHER PEOPLE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Deuteronomy 23:10-18
John 14:6
“Jesus saith unto him,
I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
THE TREATMENT OF OTHER PEOPLE
In Deuteronomy 23:10-11, Israel was also told that when they went forth to battle, any man who was unclean should not come into the camp until after sunset. He had to wash himself before returning to the camp. This was to ensure that every soldier was ceremonially clean in order for the camp to be holy. The Lord also was specific in His instructions concerning proper sanitation in the camp of Israel (Deut 23:12-13): a place was set apart outside the camp for them to ease themselves. Every person had to carry a paddle with his weapon and use it to ensure the waste was covered by the soil. The camp was to be kept clean because “the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be holy: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee” (Deut 23:14).
A servant who had run away from his master was to be given refuge (Deut 23:15-16). He shall not be delivered back to his master. This may seem to contradict the command for servants to obey their masters. Adam Clarke suggested that this referred to a servant who ran away from an idolatrous master that he might be joined to God’s people. This seems to be a logical explanation in this context as it stresses the need to love your neighbour rather than to oppress. Such a person should be given refuge.
Then there were those whose conduct was an abomination: harlots and sodomites (Deut 23:17-18). Even the “hire of a whore, or the price of a dog” were not to be brought into God’s house. They were not to be used to pay for anything that one may have vowed to the Lord.
These laws, applicable to the daily life in those days, were given to set apart the children of Israel, who were His witnesses on earth, from the heathen nations. Likewise, there are instructions in God’s Word that guide the New Testament church on living as the spiritual witness of Christ on this earth. Note His words in John 14:21.
THOUGHT: (Read 2 Timothy 3:16.)
PRAYER: Father, keep me following the steps of Christ.