Deuteronomy 17:1-13 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Deuteronomy 17:1-13. Let’s go!
Deuteronomy 17:1 (NIV)
1 Do not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep that has any defect or flaw in it, for that would be detestable to him.
On verse 1: God alone is perfect and worthy of the perfect offering. Praise God that when we were unable to give God the perfect sacrifice because of our sin, God sent His Son — without flaw or defect — to be the perfect sacrifice for us.
Now that God has given us His best in Jesus Christ, let’s give Him our best as well. Whenever you serve or offer God anything, don’t give God the scraps or the leftovers. Give Him your best. God made you and saved you so that you could give your best to Him.
Deuteronomy 17:2-7 (NIV)
2 If a man or woman living among you in one of the towns the LORD gives you is found doing evil in the eyes of the LORD your God in violation of his covenant,
3 and contrary to my command has worshiped other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or the moon or the stars of the sky,
4 and this has been brought to your attention, then you must investigate it thoroughly. If it is true and it has been proved that this detestable thing has been done in Israel,
5 take the man or woman who has done this evil deed to your city gate and stone that person to death.
6 On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
7 The hands of the witnesses must be the first in putting him to death, and then the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.
On verses 2-7: Moses tells the Israelites that when anyone is accused of worshiping an idol, they are to investigate the matter thoroughly and not stone the person except on the testimony of at least two or three reliable witnesses. To discourage people from acting as false witnesses, it is the witnesses who are to throw the first stone.
What can we learn from this? Two lessons:
(1) It shows that God looks very seriously at idolatry. When we worship anything other than God, the penalty we deserve for our idolatry is death. All of heaven can bear witness to our idolatry, but praise God that Jesus Christ came and died in our place. The cross is proof that while God’s wrath against idolatry is great, His love for us is even greater.
(2) Don’t be quick to throw stones at others. When you think someone has wronged you or wronged others, “investigate the matter thoroughly”, as verse 4 says, and make sure you understand the situation before you try to accuse others or condemn them with your words.
Deuteronomy 17:8-13 (NIV)
8 If cases come before your courts that are too difficult for you to judge–whether bloodshed, lawsuits or assaults–take them to the place the LORD your God will choose.
9 Go to the priests, who are Levites, and to the judge who is in office at that time. Inquire of them and they will give you the verdict.
10 You must act according to the decisions they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they direct you to do.
11 Act according to the law they teach you and the decisions they give you. Do not turn aside from what they tell you, to the right or to the left.
12 The man who shows contempt for the judge or for the priest who stands ministering there to the LORD your God must be put to death. You must purge the evil from Israel.
13 All the people will hear and be afraid, and will not be contemptuous again.
On verses 8-13: Here Moses tells the Israelites what to do if they have problems or disputes that are too complicated for them to resolve on their own: they are to bring those disputes to the priests and to the judge of that town. They are to respect the advice and decisions that the priests and judges give.
What can we learn from this? A general principle we can take from this is: don’t show contempt for those in authority, but show respect. As Romans 13:1 says, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Now what if an authority over you makes a decision that you don’t agree with? What exactly you should do depends in part on the particular situation as well as the overall context, culture and legal system in which you live. May God give you wisdom to know how to respond while still respecting those in authority over you.
Heavenly Father, I pray that I would not be quick to throw stones at others or quick to jump to conclusions. Instead may I be eager to learn, understand and consider the relevant facts before making a decision. Thank You for being both my Saviour who saves me from my sin and my Counselour who guides me and gives me wisdom. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
