The nation of Israel was on the verge of entering the land of Canaan, which God had promised to give Abraham and his descendants hundreds of years before this time (Genesis 12:1-3). Prior to inhabiting the land, Israel had wondered in the wilderness for 40 years after God had miraculously delivered them from Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12:29-51). Israel had a chance to enter the Promised Land in the second year of their wandering (Numbers 14), but they disobeyed God and the older generation was sentenced to die in the wilderness without ever entering Canaan. It took 38 more years before the older generation died off, but now the time had come for Israel to inherit the land; however, before conquering the inhabitants of Canaan, Moses gave three speeches which reflected on God’s faithfulness in the past (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43), reminded Israel about the importance of God’s commandments (Deuteronomy 4:44-28:68), and challenged them to recommit themselves to obeying God so they would be able to experience God’s goodness once they occupied the land (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20). The second speech of Moses (Deuteronomy 4:44-28:68) reminded Israel that obedience leads to blessing and disobedience leads to cursings (Deuteronomy 5-11); furthermore, the second half of this speech would focus on instructions regarding worshiping properly (Deuteronomy 12:1-16:17), leading responsibly (Deuteronomy 16:18-18:22), maintaining orderly behavior in society (19:1-23:14), obeying various laws (Deuteronomy 23:15-25:19), and practicing tithes and firstfruits once entering the land (26:1-15).
With a population of approximately two million people, Moses wanted to ensure that Israel would maintain orderly behavior when dwelling in Canaan. In order to direct them in the right way, Moses reminded them about God’s rules for society and even pointed out several issues including cities of refuge (19:1-13), property boundaries (19:14), witnessing a crime (19:15-21), warfare principles (20:1-20), unsolved murder (21:1-9), female captives (21:10-14), inheritance of the firstborn (21:15-17), child rebellion (21:18-21), various laws (21:22-22:12), sexual behavior (22:13-30), excluded worshipers (23:1-8), and uncleanness in the camp (23:9-14). Following God’s laws regarding these issues would provide stability and order throughout the land. Cities of refuge (19:1-13) were locations where a man who accidentally killed someone could flee and be protected from revenge until he could stand before a congregation in judgment (see Numbers 35:9-15 for background). Three cities had already been established east of the Jordan River (Deuteronomy 4:41-43) and three cities were established west of the Jordan River. If Israel was obedient when entering the land, three more cities of refuge would be established (19:8-9) making a total of nine cities. Anyone who owned land was not to move their property boundaries (19:14) in order to give themselves more land. This would be viewed as stealing. If a man was accused of a crime, more than witness (19:15-21) was required to convict him. Any witness giving false testimony against another would receive the punishment for the crime which he had falsely accused. Warfare principles (20:1-20) included not fearing the enemy (20:1-4) and excluding anyone not ready to fight in battle (20:5-9). There was also to be an offer of peace before battle (20:10). If their enemies accepted the offer of peace, they would become Israel’s slaves but if they rejected it, Israel would kill the men and take everything else for themselves (20:11-15). In the Canaanite cities, Israel was to destroy everything so that nothing could lead them to worship other gods (20:16-18); however, Israel was not to cut down the trees since they would be inhabiting the land (20:19-20). Any unsolved murder (21:1-9) was to be handled by the city closest to where the crime was committed. That town’s leaders would accept responsibility for the murder and perform a cleansing ritual to make atonement for the sin. Any female captives (21:10-14) from non-Canaanite cities could be taken as a wife after there was a month of mourning and a cleansing ritual was performed. A firstborn son (21:15-17), regardless of the father’s feelings for him, was to be given a double portion of all that he possesses. Rebellious children (21:18-21) who continually disregarded the voice of his parents was to be stoned to death. Moses also mentions various laws (21:22-22:12) concerning the quick burial of a hanged corpse (21:22-23), returning lost property (22:1-4), prohibition of transvestism (22:5), protecting animal reproduction (22:6-7), preventing unnecessary injuries (22:8), maintaining natural order (22:9-11), and using tassels to remember God’s law (22:12; Deuteronomy 14:1-8). Sexual behavior (22:13-30) issues such as no sex before marriage (22:13-21) and the prohibition of adultery and incest (22:22-30) are discussed. The emasculated (23:1), illegitimate (23:2), and Ammonites/Moabites (23:3-8) were excluded worshipers (23:1-8). Excluding these individuals from worship was God’s way of demanding purity of His people. Moses also gave instructions about handling uncleanness in the camp (23:9-14). Obeying all of these laws would help Israel to maintain societal order, which would result in a right relationship with God.
Dear God, may I conduct myself according to Your commandments.
