Deuteronomy 25:11-19 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Deuteronomy 25:11-19. Let’s go!
Deuteronomy 25:11-12 (NIV)
11 If two men are fighting and the wife of one of them comes to rescue her husband from his assailant, and she reaches out and seizes him by his private parts,
12 you shall cut off her hand. Show her no pity.
On verses 11-12: To us today, verses 11-12 might sound like two of the strangest verses you have ever read in the Bible. Was it common in Moses’ time for a wife to intervene in a fight between her husband and another man by grabbing the other man’s private parts? We don’t know, but you would think that it probably happened at least once for Moses to mention it. Moses probably laid down this law to communicate to the Israelites what fair fighting looks like. One should not try to “low blow” another so that it affects his ability to have children.
How can we apply these strange sounding verses? Unless it’s your job to intervene, try not to get involved in the fights and arguments that go on between two other people. Otherwise, you might complicate the matter and get hurt in the process.
Deuteronomy 25:13-16 (NIV)
13 Do not have two differing weights in your bag–one heavy, one light.
14 Do not have two differing measures in your house–one large, one small.
15 You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
16 For the LORD your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.
On verses 13-16: When you buy bananas at the grocery store or meat at the butcher, you expect the scale that they use will be accurate. In Moses’ time, people relied even more so on weights and measures when buying and trading goods. So Moses insisted that the Israelites use accurate weights and measures.
What can we learn from this? Be honest in your business dealings. This comes with a promise: “so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you” (v15). Don’t cut corners and cheat people in business. For while dishonesty may bring you short-term gain, it will also bring you long term pain.
Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (NIV)
17 Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt.
18 When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God.
19 When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!
On verses 17-19: In contrast to Moses’ teaching in Deuteronomy about showing mercy to society’s most vulnerable, the Amalekites mercilessly attacked the youngest, weakest and most vulnerable of the Israelites while they were wandering in the desert (v18). So Moses tells the Israelites to annihilate the Amalekites (v19). This reminds me of what James 2:13 says: “judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”
What can we learn from this? God is merciful and prefers to show all of us mercy. That is why He sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins, so that through Jesus we can be forgiven. But if we think we don’t need God’s mercy or refuse to extend God’s mercy to others, we’re effectively asking to be treated in the same way: without mercy. In fact, God promises to avenge all those who have been mercilessly attacked and brutalized, for He is also a just and righteous God.
Holy Spirit, I pray that when I fight with others, I would be wise and fair. When I deal with others, may I be honest and full of integrity. And toward people who hurt me or the ones I love, may I be merciful just as You have been merciful to me, and trust You to be my defender and avenger. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
