April 15, Day 105 – The Danger We Are to Ourselves
- Dr. Eric Stricker
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
As we come to Deuteronomy 21-22, we recognize that today’s readings contain incredible truths about which we must meditate thoughtfully. In Deuteronomy 21, God provided a legal means for prosecuting an unresolved murder. We recall that murder pollutes the land (cf., Numbers 35:33-34). To protect the people and the land, in cases of unexplained death, the elders, and the Levites were responsible to investigate bloodshed, to purge the land of national guilt, and to make an atonement for the people – by sacrificing a heifer (verses 3-9). The heifer foreshadowed Christ in His substitutionary role. Despite our ignorance and our division, as we trust in God’s Word and do His will, our guilt is placed on Christ Who died for our sins and in our places – thus securing our atonement. This chapter also addresses taking a wife from among the captives of war, the rights of firstborn sons within polygamous marriages, and the manner by which a “rebellious and profligate” son was to be punished (verses 18-21). Verses 22-23 relate to the burial of a criminal – which also points to Christ’s death on the cross (cf., Galatians 3:13). Chapter 22 explains the legal aspects that require brotherly love, neighborliness, and good conduct in everyday life – returning a stray ox to its owner (verses 1-4); wearing gender-specific clothing as a means to protect and preserve the sanctity and distinction of role differences between men and women – as established by God (verse 5); and even showing respect to animal life – as created by God. We also see safety and security regulations for life in and around the home (verses 6-12). These practical principles – codified in the law – illustrate God’s solemn concern for the way we live our lives. This section concludes with a number of different marriage laws that govern propriety in marriage. These guidelines are serious matters before God; three times, He repeats, “You must purge the evil from among you” (cf., verses 21, 22, and 24).
Earlier, we saw in Proverbs 9, the contrast between wisdom and folly. Today, in reading verses 13-18, again we see God’s solemn concern for the way we live our lives. Here, we notice that folly is a disordered and disgraceful woman – “unruly and simple” – whose only thought is to entertain those just like her (i.e., the simple). The sage explains that she “knows nothing” (verse 13), which indicates that Ms. Folly is wholly incapable of directing herself – much less improving anyone else (cf., Jeremiah 10:23). She is the classic example of the danger we are to ourselves for failing to know what we should know. Here, it is evident that the foolish disregard for truth leads to death. Ms. Folly’s guests are already dead, and those who listen to her will join them. This should frighten us enough into walking away from things that are bad for us, and it should convince us of how destructive we can be to ourselves.
In Luke 16:1-18, Jesus illustrates this same contrast and warns us of the dangers of a heart that is divided. Here, we see that the Pharisees openly “sneered” at Jesus’s words about their “love of money” (verse 14). Jesus pinpointed the root of their problem and identified their “master” (verse 13). We should take this teaching to heart – remembering that neither money nor possessions matter – they have no eternal value. What really matters is that which we offer to God. Ever since the Fall, we have all struggled with the powerful weakness of sin, and it renders our “values detestable in God’s sight” (verse 15). We must learn to overcome our divided hearts by single-minded service to Jesus Christ, and we should thank God for His solemn concern about the way we live our lives. Sometimes, a man is his own worst enemy.
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