Deuteronomy 21:10-23, Thoughts on Deut. 20-21

Here are more “statutes and judgments.”

·       Deut. 20: We noted in an earlier post that “war” in OT times was a “religious” act.  The victorious nation had a superior “god” over the defeated nation.  Thus, it makes sense there would be rules from the LORD regarding warfare. 

o   The key truth, when facing an enemy in battle, is in v1: do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God is with you.  Therefore, before going into battle, they were to hear these same words from the priest (20:2-4).

o   After the priest, then the officers were to address the people, giving “exemptions” to certain people (20:5-9).

o   An offer of peace was to be made (20:10-12).  Both this offer and the rules of “spoil” (20:13-14) applied to cities not in the Promised Land ((20:15).  The Canaanites were to be completely destroyed (20:16-18).  This was an example of God using Israel to do His work of vengeance. 

o   The statute about not destroying fruit trees (20:19-20) shows the importance of the land to Israel.  The land is a key to God’s prospering the nation.

·       21:1-9: In the case of an unsolved murder, the elders of the nearest city were to take the responsibility of affirming that the murder was truly “unsolved.”  The heifer was provided at community expense, and the blood allowed to run in the waters of a continuously running stream.  The elders declared their innocence, not only to the priests, but to the LORD.  This entire scene again shows the value of life to the LORD.

·       21:10-14: These statutes concerning female slaves may seem difficult to us, but let me say two things.  First, in terms of the OT times, this was extremely kind.  Other nations saw no need to maintain justice.  Second, in our own time, don’t be fooled.  In war these days, in spite of United Nations “Rules of Engagement” women are treated brutally, on a regular basis, and by all sides.  These statutes were and are a breath of fresh air on the matter, given that war is always brutal.

·       21:15-17: Here is another kindness shown women.  Polygamy was a fact, even if it was not ideal.  At times, polygamy was a kindness shown to a wife who would otherwise be destitute.  These statutes protected from something else that was a fact: that a man would inevitably love one wife more than the other.

·       21:18-21: This severe statute was necessary, although there is no record of it’s being followed in OT history.  It shows the importance of parents, that they have authority from the LORD.  Note that both parents had to agree to this. 

·       21:22-23: This seems at first to be a strange law.  From a practical point of view, it addresses the danger of a corpse in terms of disease or ceremonial uncleanness.  Note also that hanging was not a form of execution in Israel.  The statute was followed by Joshua, after killing Canaanite kings they hung them in open view, but the bodies were removed by night (Josh. 8:29; 10:26-27).  This statute, of course, has its greatest significance in the Messiah’s death on the cross (Gal. 3:13).