Journal 9-8-2009

Journal 9-8-2009

Scripture

Deut 21:10-21

Marrying a Captive Woman

10 When you go to war against your enemies and the LORD your God delivers them into your hands and you take captives, 11 if you notice among the captives a beautiful woman and are attracted to her, you may take her as your wife. 12 Bring her into your home and have her shave her head, trim her nails 13 and put aside the clothes she was wearing when captured. After she has lived in your house and mourned her father and mother for a full month, then you may go to her and be her husband and she shall be your wife. 14 If you are not pleased with her, let her go wherever she wishes. You must not sell her or treat her as a slave, since you have dishonored her.

The Right of the Firstborn

15 If a man has two wives, and he loves one but not the other, and both bear him sons but the firstborn is the son of the wife he does not love, 16 when he wills his property to his sons, he must not give the rights of the firstborn to the son of the wife he loves in preference to his actual firstborn, the son of the wife he does not love. 17 He must acknowledge the son of his unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double share of all he has. That son is the first sign of his father's strength. The right of the firstborn belongs to him.

A Rebellious Son

18 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, 19 his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. 20They shall say to the elders, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey us. He is a profligate and a drunkard." 21 Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death. You must purge the evil from among you. All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.

Observation

God certainly is a just God. He protects women and parents. In v11-13, He gives guidelines to protect a wife that have been taken captive. He emphasizes that she must not be sold or be treated as a slave.

In v 15 – 17 he protects the wife who has not been loved. The son is given the right of the firstborn. We are assured that God loves us no matter what the world thinks of us. We might be captives or we might not be loved, but out God is a God who is loves everybody: to the extent of dying on the cross.

In v 18-21, we see that disobedience to our parents have heavy consequences. We thank God that there is no more stoning today, the seriousness of the offence is not affected. God will certainly show favour to our parents who have sacrificed for us. Although we live in the modern era where we make our choices, we must always take our parents advice seriously.

Purging sin is again emphasized.

Application

I must love everyone.

I must obey my parents.

Response

God, I thank you for showing love for me. Teach me to love everybody. Help me not to practice favouritism. Teach me also to obey my parents. Help me to purge sin out of my life. Help me to be Holy before you. Amen.