Deuteronomy 23:1

Deuteronomy 23:1 says, He that is wounded in the stones, or hath his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.  Eunuchs unable were forbidden to enter in to the congregation of the LORD.  Matthew Henry says that there are different understandings of what this actually means.  Some think it meant they were not to communicate with the congregation of Israel in worship service, some think it meant they were not to serve in any official role, and others think it meant marry an Israelite woman.  We can say today that God never approved anything that would in any way change the sexuality of a person.  Verse two adds, A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.  Moses said a bastard would have these same limitations for ten generations.  Matthew Henry said this did not mean any child born outside of a marriage, but ones born of an incestuous relationship, and though it wasn't the child's fault, the harsh penalty was to discourage these relationships.  Verse three adds, An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the LORD for ever:  Verse four continues, Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.  Moses said that an Ammonite was forbidden to enter the congregation of Israel for not just the tenth generation, but forever, because they would not help the people of Israel when they left Egypt, but hired Balaam to attempt to curse them.  Verse five concludes, Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.  Moses said that instead of Balaam being able to curse the people of God,  God turned it into a blessing for them.  God will never take lightly the actions of those who attempt to stand against His people, but He does not exclude any who put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord from becoming a part of His kingdom, no matter who they are.  Verse six states, Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.  Moses said that this would apply to these people forever, but as just stated, Jesus Christ made it possible for all people to come into the kingdom of God by putting their faith in Him. Verse seven adds, Thou shalt not abhor an Edomite; for he is thy brother: thou shalt not abhor an Egyptian; because thou wast a stranger in his land.  Moses said they were not to abhor the Edomite, because he was their brother, nor the Egyptians, because they had once offered the people of Israel sanctuary during the drought.  Verse eight continues, The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation.  These two groups were only forbidden to enter the congregation for three generations.  I am certainly glad that Jesus Christ removed all these restrictions when He died for all our sins for all time.  

Deuteronomy 22:12

Deuteronomy 22:12 says, Thou shalt make thee fringes upon the four quarters of thy vesture, wherewith thou coverest thyself.  Moses said that the people of Israel were to put fringes on the four sides of their clothes that covered them.  This would distinguish them from other people by sight.  We as followers of Christ have nothing like this to distinguish us from other people, but our words and actions should.  Verse thirteen states, If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,  These next few verses deal with a man who marries a woman and then decides he hates her.  This happens too often today in the world, but it shouldn't happen in the marriage of Christians, though it still does.  If it does, we have taken God out of the center of the marriage or He was never there to start with. Verse fourteen adds, And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:  Moses said that if the man then said that the woman wasn't a virgin when they got married, which would bring dishonor to her, there were certain rules that would apply.  We should never disparage the name of a spouse unjustly just because we no longer want to be married to them.  Verse fifteen continues, Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel’s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:  Moses said that in this situation, the father and mother were to bring tokens of the girls virginity to the elders at the gate.  What this evidence was, we don't know, and there is no such evidence today, but evidently there was then, and it was to be presented at the gate, or where public hearings were held.  Verse sixteen says, And the damsel’s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;  The father was to tell the elders that he gave the girl to the man to be his wife, and then the man hated her.  Fathers should still be willing to stand up for their daughters, even if they are married.  Verse seventeen adds, And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.  Moses said that the father was to tell the elders that the man had spread lies about his daughter not being a virgin when they married, and was then to lay the tokens of her virginity before the elders.  As stated before,  I don't know what these tokens were, nor did Matthew Henry or other Biblical scholars before him.  Verse eighteen continues, And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;  The elders were to take the man and chastise him if the father proved the girl was a virgin when she married him.  I am not sure if life would be simpler or more complicated if we could do the same today.  Verse nineteen concludes, And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.  They were then to fine the man and give the money to her father, because the husband would have brought dishonor to a damsel of Israel.  Also, the man would be prohibited from ever divorcing the woman.  We should never bring dishonor to any Christian by lying about them.  Verse twenty states, But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:  Verse twenty-one adds, Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you. Then, there was the proscribed penalty if the father could not produce proof of her virginity at the time of her marriage, and that was that she was to be stoned to death by the men of the city, because she wouldchave brought dishonor to Israel.  Moses said this was to be done to put evil away from among the people of Israel.  We should do all that we can to put evil away from the church today, but we also need to realize that if we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord that we are forgiven of all our sins, and we are to forgive others as He forgives us.  Verse twenty-two says, If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.  Moses said if a man was guilty of committing adultery with a married woman, or causing her to commit adultery at least, that they were both to be put to death.  God takes marriage very seriously, and so should we.

Deuteronomy 22:1

Deuteronomy 22:1 says, Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.  Moses said that the people of Israel were not to hide if they saw there brother’s ox or sheep go astray, but were to return it to him.  We should always be willingly to help others if they are in need, whether they are fellow Christians or not, and should never just turn our backs on them.  Verse two says,  And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.  Moses then said that if their brother wasn't close or if they didn't know him, they were to take the animal home and care for it until their brother, which would be any Israelite, called for it.  This is what I stated earlier.  Verse three continues, In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother’s, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.  Moses then expanded this law to apply to anything that someone last. They could not attempt to keep it for themselves, and neither can we today as Christians.  Verse four concludes, Thou shalt not see thy brother’s ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.  Moses then said if a man saw his brothers ass or ox fall down by the way, that the man was not to hide but was to help his brother get the animal up again.  If we, as followers of Christ see someone in trouble today, instead of passing by or trying to hide away, we need to stop and help them.  Verse five state's, The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.  Moses said that men and women should not wear clothing of the opposite sex, because it was an abomination to the LORD.  We do not have as defined men and women's clothing today, but some things are identified as belonging to one gender or the other, and I believe there are some clothing items that will always be identified as belonging to only one gender.  Verse six says, If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way in any tree, or on the ground, whether they be young ones, or eggs, and the dam sitting upon the young, or upon the eggs, thou shalt not take the dam with the young:  Moses said that if a bird was nesting that the people of Israel were not to disturb either, and this is still a good law today.  Verse seven adds, But thou shalt in any wise let the dam go, and take the young to thee; that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days.  Moses said that they were to let the mother bird go and take care of the young so that it might go well with them.  We as Christians are to do our best to take care of the earth, since that is part of our God given purpose.  Verse eight states, When thou buildest a new house, then thou shalt make a battlement for thy roof, that thou bring not blood upon thine house, if any man fall from thence.  Moses said if they built a new house they were to put a fence around the roof so that no one could accidentally fall from it.  We today should do all within our ability to make our house a safe place for others when they visit us.  Verse nine adds, Thou shalt  not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy  seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard,  be defiled.  Moses said they were not to sow diverse seed in their vineyards lest their vineyards be defiled.  We likewise need to not allow unGodly thoughts and actions into our lives lest our relationship with God be defiled.  Verse ten says, Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together.  Moses said they weren't to attempt to pair an ox and an ass together, because they could not work at the same speed and power.  Verse eleven adds Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts, as of woollen and linen together.  This was another example that Moses gave for not trying to pair things that were different together.  We as Christians should not try to pair ourselves with non Christians either.

Deuteronomy 21:10

Deuteronomy 21:10 says, When thou goest forth to war against thine enemies, and the LORD thy God hath delivered them into thine hands, and thou hast taken them captive,  This statement by Moses assumes two things.  One, the people of Israel would go forth in war, and two that by their faith in God that they would be victorious.  If we want to be victorious in the world today by our faith in God, we must be willing to go forth in war against the forces of evil in the world.  Of course, in this case we must rely on God to direct our actions.  Verse eleven adds, And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;  Moses then told them that they might see a beautiful woman among the captives and desire her.  Whether it is a beautiful woman or anything else, while we are in a battle against evil in the world, something may catch our attention as something that we desire.  Verse twelve adds, Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;  Moses didn't deny them the fight to give in to their desire, but told them they should bring the woman to their house, but then he listed requirements before the man could marry her.  Though God may allow us to have certain things of the world that we desire, He will also likely put requirements on us to keep us from being led away from Him.  Verse thirteen continues, And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife.  The woman was to put off the raiment of her captivity and be given a month's time to mourn the loss of her parents, and then the man could marry her.  Verse fourteen concludes, And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.  Moses said that if the man then decided he didn't want to be married to her, he could let her go, but he wasn't to sell her, though she had been a captive, nor was he to attempt to trade her for merchandise.  God was looking out for the woman, who had nothing to say about her situation.  I don't believe that God ever expects us to use nor try to benefit materially from our treatment of the lost people of the world today.  Verse fifteen states, If a man have two wives, one beloved, and another hated, and they have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated:  Moses then gives the rules for a man having two wives, which was never God's intention.  Just as the people of Israel too often failed to follow God's law for marriage, so do we today.  Moses said that if the man loved one wife and hated, or didn't love, the other, and the one that he loved the least gave birth to his first born son, that there were rules of inheritance then applied.  If we go against God's law in a particular situation, that does not void any other law of God.  Verse sixteen adds, Then it shall be, when he maketh his sons to inherit that which he hath, that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn before the son of the hated, which is indeed the firstborn:  Moses said that the man could not make the firstborn son of the wife that the man loved the most the one to inherit if the wife he loved the least had already given birth toa son.  Verse seventeen continues, But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.  Moses said that the man was to give his firstborn son who was born of the wife he loved the least his rightful birthright.  Again, breaking one of God's laws does not negate any of His other laws.  This situation could have been avoided if the man had not had more than one wife.

Deuteronomy 21:1

Deuteronomy 21:1 says, If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him:  Moses talked about the situation of a man who no one knew being found slain in a field.  Verse two adds, Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain:  Moses said in this situation that the elders and judges were to come forth and measure the distance to the cities which were near the person who was slain.  It would be assumed that he had to have been in one of the cities shortly before he was slain.  Though they might not have known who, someone was responsible for the man's death.  Verse three continues, And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke;  Moses then said that the elders of the city closest to the slain man were to take a young heifer that had that had never worked.  Verse four states, And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer’s neck there in the valley:  The elders were to take the heifer into a valley that wasn't cultivated and slay it for a sacrifice for the sin of slaying the man, even if they weren't responsible or didn't know who was.  Jesus Christ is the sacrifice for our sins, even before we commit them and even if no one else knows about them.  Verse five adds, And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:  Moses next said the priests and Levites who represent God were to come near to bless the people of the city and then every one would be freed from the responsibility of the death.  We as Christians will never be held responsible for the sins of others, but no one else can bring us forgiveness of our sins either, except Jesus Christ.  Verse six continues, And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley:  Moses said that the elders from that city were to wash their hands in the blood of the heifer to bring forgiveness for the people of the city.  We are washed clean of our sins by the blood of Jesus Christ.  Verse seven proclaims, And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.  Moses said that they were then to say that they had not shed the blood of this man, nor did they know who did.  Of course, there was at least one person who knew who had slain the man, and that was the man who had murdered him, and he would not be held guiltless by God, even if he was never identified as the murderer.  We may commit a sin, or even many sins today, and no one in the world ever know about it, but God will always know, and He is the only one that counts.  Verse eight adds, Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel’s charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them.  They were to ask God to be merciful to them, because they had not shed this innocent blood and for God to not hold them responsible for it.  We can always depend on the fact that God will never hold us responsible for the sins of anyone else, and by His mercy He even sent Jesus Christ to atone for our sins if we will accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse nine continues, So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.  Moses said that they could put away the guilt of innocent blood when they did as God instructed them to do. We today can put away the guilt of our sin when we do as God instructs us to and and repent and accept Jesus Christ Who shed His innocent blood for us as our Savior and Lord.  

Deuteronomy 20:10

Deuteronomy 20:10 says, When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it.  Moses said when the came to a city to fight against it, they should first offer them peace.  We as followers of Christ are to first offer peace to those who would fight against us.  Verse eleven adds, And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee.  Moses said if the people there accepted their offering of peace, that they were to be tributaries of the people of Isrwel and serve them.  People that we offer the peace of God to today are not our servants if they accept, but are God's servants and our equals in His kingdom.  Verse twelve continues, And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:  Moses then said if the people of the city would not make peace with them, then the people of Israel were to besiege them.  As Christians, all we can do is offer others the good news of the gospel, but we cannot force them to accept it.  Verse thirteen states, And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword:  Moses said when, not if, God delivered them, that they were to slay all the men with the sword.  We today as followers of Christ do not still have this same command, but we are to reach out to our enemies with the love of God, and He will one day determine their fate and not us.  Verse fourteen adds, But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.  Moses then said that they were to take the women, little children, cattle, and all that was in the city as spoils of war.  We are not to claim the things of this world that belong to our enemies as our own even if God destroys them, because we are not to follow God for material gain.  Verse fifteen continues, Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations.  Moses said this applied to cities that were very far off from them, which were not cities in the Promised Land itself.  Matthew Henry said they were to spare the women and children of those that were far off because they were less likely to contaminate the people of Israel with idolatry.  I believe we can say that today we are to be less concerned about those who are far off than we are to be concerned about those who are in our midst who would tempt us to turn away from God.  Verse sixteen says, But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:  Moses said that of the cities that God gave them they were to utterly destroy everything.  Once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we are to destroy everything in our life that could lead us away from living by faith.  Verse seventeen adds, But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:  Moses then added the names of the people that they were to utterly destroy.   The people of Israel were not to make this determination themselves, but were to act under God's command.  We today are still to follow God's command in the way that we treat the lost, even those who are openly at war with us.  Verse eighteen continues, That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.  Moses said they were to utterly destroy these people so that the people of Israel would not be tempted to follow the abominations of these people.  We need to destroy everything in our life once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord today that would lead us away from God.  Verse nineteen states, When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof by forcing an axe against them: for thou mayest eat of them, and thou shalt not cut them down (for the tree of the field is man’s life) to employ them in the siege:   Moses said that they were not to destroy the fruit trees around the city.  These would provide food the the people of Israel then and later on.  Verse twenty adds, Only the trees which thou knowest that they be not trees for meat, thou shalt destroy and cut them down; and thou shalt build bulwarks against the city that maketh war with thee, until it be subdued.  Mose said that they could cut down and use the non fruit bearing trees to use as bulwrks against the city.  Though God had promised them the victory, they were still to follow His guidance in how they fought against their enemies.  As we as Christians fight against the forces of evil in the world today, were are to do so under God's guidance. 

Deuteronomy 20;1

Deuteronomy 20:1 says, When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.  Moses said that when the people of Israel went into battle against a larger, more powerful army that they weren't to be afraid,  because God Who had brought them out of Egypt was with them.  They had already seen His power, and we as followers of Christ today should not be afraid of those who stand against us because we know 5he power of the God we serve.  Verse two adds, And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,  Moses said that when they were close to the battle that the priest would speak to the people.  We have One greater than a priest, the Holy Spirit, to speak to us as we battle the forces of the world today.  Verse three continues, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;  The priest was to tell them to not be afraid nor let their hearts fail.  Too often, we as Christians become fearful and fainthearted when we see all those aligned against us, but we shouldn't.  They will never be more powerful than God.  Verse four concludes, For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.  Just as Moses told the people of Israel that they were not to be afraid because the LORD their God went before them, we today as followers of Christ certainly shouldn't be, because He has already defeated the power of sin and death in the world.  Verse five states, And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.  Moses said that the officers of the army were to exempt some people from going into battle, beginning with anyone who had built a house and had not dedicated it.  We today do not all go into battle for God at the same time nor in the same way.  Verse six adds, And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.  Next, those who had planted a vineyard and had not yet gotten a harvest from it were exempted.  Verse seven  continues, And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.  Then those who were betrothed but hadn't yet married were exempted.  All of these people were not permanently exempted, but only from certain battles.  We as Christians should not expect to be permanently exempt from the battle against the forces of evil in the world today, even if we may be exempt from certain battles.  We are all a part of the army of God as followers of Christ.  Verse eight says, And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.  Moses then said that the officers were to tell those who were fearful and faint hearted were to be exempted and sent home, lest they cause others to be as well.  We need to pray that we will never allow our fear of the world today to cause other Christians to be afraid as well.  Verse nine adds, And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people.  Moses said that once the officers were through speaking and exempting these people, then they were to make captains to lead the armies.  We should pray that we would be one of those leading the army of God into battle today instead of one of those sent home, especially if we are sent home because of our fear of the battle.  Through our faith in Jesus Christ, we have already won, so there is no reason to be afraid. 

Deuteronomy 19;14

Deuteronomy 19:14 says, Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.  Moses said that when the people of Israel were in the Promised Land that the land would be divided by God, and that they were not to later move their neighbors landmark, or try to claim their neighbors land for their own in other words.  As followers of Christ, we should never attempt to claim what belongs to someone else as our own.  Verse fifteen adds, One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.  Moses said that one person alone should not be able to accuse another of sin, but it would take the witness of two or three to do so.  One person might be trying to get another in trouble unjustly for personal reasons, but two or three most likely would not.  Still, if we see someone doing something immoral or illegal today, I believe we need to address the problem with others and the person themself.   Verse sixteen states, If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;  Verse seventeen adds, Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;  Moses said that if only one person had a controversy with another, both people were to appear before God and the priests and judges that would be appointed.  All of these were a part of God's chosen people and should be guided by and subjected to following God's guidance.  If we have a problem with a fellow Christian today, we need to come with them before God and the church, but too often we divide into groups and gossip about one another.  Verse eighteen continues, And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;  Moses said that the judges were to diligently seek the truth, and determine if the witness was a false witness.  We as Christians today need to diligently seek the truth if one of our fellow believers accuses another of doing something wrong.  Of course, it would be nice if this were the truth in secular cases as well, but too often in those cases today, the object is not to find the truth but to defend one side or the other at all costs.  Verse nineteen concludes, Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.  Moses said that if they found that the one bearing testimony against another had lied that they should do ro him whatever he wanted done to the other person so that the evil could be put away from them.  We might be less likely to bear false witness today if we thought we would be punished as the one we accused was if he or she had been guilty, but really we should not bear false witness simply because we know it is against God's word.  Verse twenty says, And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.  Moses said that those who heard what had happened to the false witness would fear that happening to them if they bore false witness against another, and because of this even if they weren't avoiding doing so because it was morally wrong that they would not allow this to happen in the land God gave them.  Sometimes, the fear of the consequences of doing something that is against God's word may be a bigger deterrent than not doing it because it is morally wrong to do so, but this should never be the case.  We as Christians should do or not do things because God's word tells us to or not to.  Verse twenty-one adds, And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.  Moses said their judgments should not be made out of pity for one of the individuals, but judgment should fit the crime.  We should likewise never punish anyone more than their crime calls for. 

Deuteronomy 19:1

Deuteronomy 19:1 says, When the LORD thy God hath cut off the nations, whose land the LORD thy God giveth thee, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their cities, and in their houses;   Verse two adds, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee in the midst of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.  Moses said after the LORD their God had removed the people from the Promised Land and the people of Israel possessed it, they were to set aside three cities in the midst of the land.  They may have gone in and fought against the people there, but it was God Who gave them the victory, just as He gives us victory over the world today.  Verse three continues, Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.  Moses said they were to prepare a way and divide the country into three parts, with one of these three sanctuary cities located in each part with easy access to it so that anyone who accidentally killed another person could flee there for safety.  We today, if we have accidentally killed someone, usually have the law to protect us, but even if it doesn't, we have the everlasting sanctuary of our relationship with Jesus Christ to protect us spiritually if we are a Christian.  Verse four states, And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live: Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past;  Moses said that those who had killed someone accidentally without any anger toward them could flee to one of these sanctuary cities and live.  Verse five adds, As when a man goeth into the wood with his neighbour to hew wood, and his hand fetcheth a stroke with the axe to cut down the tree, and the head slippeth from the helve, and lighteth upon his neighbour, that he die; he shall flee unto one of those cities, and live:  Moses gave the example of a man accidentally hitting his neighbor with an ax when cutting wood and the neighbor dying.  In this case, the man could flee to the sanctuary city and his neighbors family could not seek revenge against him.  Of course, we are not to seek revenge against our neighbors anyway as followers of Christ, nor should they seek revenge against us.  Verse six continues, Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.  Moses said these cities were to be set in three places so that anyone could get to one of them before he could be overtaken by the avenger while his anger was still hot. This would protect both the one who had accidentally killed the man, and also the avenger who would have killed the man unjustly if he killed him in anger out of revenge.  God's law often protects us when we don't even realize it when we are acting out of anger.  Verse seven concludes,  Wherefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt separate three cities for thee.  Moses said that he, under God's direction and authority, commanded them to separate these three sanctuary cities.  Verse eight declares, And if the LORD thy God enlarge thy coast, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers, and give thee all the land which he promised to give unto thy fathers;  Though Moses said if God should enlarge their coast, or land, then it was dependent on the obedience of the people and not on God's faithfulness to fulfill His promise.  God's blessings on us today are never based on God failing to keep His promises, but are based on our obedience to Him after we accept  Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord.  Verse nine adds, If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three:  Moses then said that if they obeyed God and kept His commandments and He enlarged their land, then they were to separate three additional sanctuary cities.  Verse ten continues, That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.  This was to be done so that innocent blood would not be shed in the Promised Land.  As Christians, we should never be guilty of seeking the harm of others because we feel that they have done us wrong.  Verse eleven states, But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities:  Verse twelve adds, Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.  Moses said that if someone deliberately killed someone else and fled to a sanctuary city that the elders were to turn him over to the avenger.  We cannot expect God to deliver us from the consequences of deliberate sin, even if we are a Christian, even though we are delivered from the everlasting punishment of that sin.  Verse thirteen continues, Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.  Moses said they were not to have pity on the murderer, but should put away the guilt of innocent blood that he had shed by delivering him to the avenger to face the penalty of his sin.  If they did, then it would go well with them.  We cannot act out of pity for the willful sinner, but even if we empathize with them, we must not try to release them from facing the worldly penalty for their sin.  Again, if we have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, the everlasting penalty of sin has already been paid spiritually, but that does not release us from facing the law of man when we break it.

Deuteronomy 18:17

Deuteronomy 18:17 says, And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken.  Moses said God told him that he had spoken well that which he had spoken.  We need God to say the same thing about our speech today, especially when it comes to what we say about Him.  Verse eighteen adds, I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.  God told Moses that He would raise up a Prophet from among the people of Israel.  We know that many prophets followed Moses, but the Prophet referred to is Jesus Christ.  Verse nineteen continues, And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.  God also said that anyone who did not listen to Jesus Christ would be held accountable for their sins.  Verse twenty states, But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.  Now, God was once again speaking of those prophets other than Jesus Christ.  God said that if they presumed to speak in His name things that He had not said or to speak in the name of other gods that they would die.  We cannot follow Christ and claim that anything other than what the Bible says is God's word, nor can we add anything that is taught by false gods to God's word.   Verse twenty-one adds, And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken?  Moses said that they might ask how they could know what God had spoken when they heard it.  This is still a valid question today.  Verse twenty-two answers, When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.  Moses said that when a prophet spoke and what he spoke did not come to pass that the prophet had spoken presumptuously, and the people should not listen to him.  We know that everything that the Prophet, Jesus Christ spoke came to pass because He was the true Prophet.  If anyone today claims to be a prophet of God, which I really don't believe there have been any since Jesus Christ came, even if certain things this professed prophet claims were to come to pass, we have the Bible and the Holy Spirit to show us the truth.  Since the Holy Spirit indwells each follwer of Christ, we have no need of prophets to show us God's truth.

Deuteronomy 18:9

Deuteronomy 18:9 says, When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.  Moses said that when the people of Israel came into the Promised Land that they were not to learn to follow after the abominations of the people there.  When we accept Jseus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we should not follow the abominations of the world either.  Verse ten adds, There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,  Verse eleven adds, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  Moses then listed several practices that they were not to follow, and many of these are still around today.  Some Christians at times get caught up in them.  We don't need to follow horoscopes or Zodiac signs for example.  Verse twelve concludes, For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.  Just as Moses told the people of Israel then, these things are an abomination to God, and because of these abominations He drove the people out of the land before them.  When we enter the kingdom of God, He has already driven all these things out of His kingdom, and we don't need to bring them back in.  Verse thirteen declares, Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.  I believe this means to be perfect in their faith, just as we should be, because we cannot be perfect by our own ability.  Verse fourteen adds, For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.  Moses said that the nations that had been in the land had observed times and diviners, but God had not allowed the people of Israel to do so.  He still doesn't allow us a followers of Christ to do so today.  Verse fifteen continues, The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;  Moses said God would raise up a Prophet like Him, and the people were to listen to him.  We know that God raised up many prophets after Moses, but the one Prophet that this refers to ultimately is Jesus Christ.  He is the only One Who can restore us to right relationship with God, and we must listen to and obey Him.  Verse sixteen concludes, According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.  Moses said this Prophet would not speak with a booming voice out of the fire, as they had requested at Mt. Horeb, or Sinai, because they said they could not stand before this powerful display.  The Prophet, Jesus Christ, came as a humble Servant, and it is up to us to acknowledge Him as the all powerful God. 

Deuteronomy 18:1

Deuteronomy 18:1 says, The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and his inheritance.  Moses said the priests and Levites were to have no inheritance in the land, but were to eat the offerings made by fire to God and live by His inheritance.  We might think they were cheated, but they really were the closest to God.  This does not mean that we are to not support ministers today, but it also means that they are not to look to grow rich materially either.  Verse two adds, Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the LORD is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.  Moses repeated this speaking to the priests and Levites.  They needed to acknowledge that their inheritance was in God, just as any Christian is in their relationship with Jesus Christ.  The things of this world are not our inheritance, but the kingdom of God is.  Verse three continues, And this shall be the priest’s due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.  Moses again told the people that whatever they sacrificed was the priests to use after it had met the requirement of the sacrifice in God's eyes.  They could not just claim it as their own, and neither can we claim the sacrifices, tithes and offerings made to God as our own.  Verse four concludes, The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.  Moses said that the people were to give first to God and part of that would be the inheritance of the priests and Levites.  We should give first to God to support His work in the world today.  Verse five states, For the LORD thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the LORD, him and his sons for ever.  Moses said that God had chosen the Levites first out of all the tribes to stand and minister in His name.  We should be honored if God chooses us to minister in His name today, but we should never feel superior to others if we are.  Verse six adds, And if a Levite come from any of thy gates out of all Israel, where he sojourned, and come with all the desire of his mind unto the place which the LORD shall choose;  Verse seven continues, Then he shall minister in the name of the LORD his God, as all his brethren the Levites do, which stand there before the LORD.  Moses said if a Levite came to any place in the Promised Land because he knew that God had sent him there that they he was to minister there and the people were to accept him. Ministers today should still go where God sends them and people should accept them.  Verse eight concludes, They shall have like portions to eat, beside that which cometh of the sale of his patrimony.  Moses said that the Levite should have like portions to eat, as others did.

Deuteronomy 17:12

Deuteronomy 17:12 says, And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.  Moses said that anyone who would not listen to the priest that represented God should be put to death.  If we will not listen to God's ministers today when they are truly speaking His word and were put to death because of it, we might have fewer people in the church.  Of course not all who claim to be ministers speak God's word.  Verse thirteen adds, And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.  Moses said that if the people heard what had happened to the person who refused to obey that they would no longer act presumptuously.  Verse fourteen states, When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me;  Verse fifteen adds, Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother.  Moses said when they got into the land of promise, if they wanted a king, it should be one of the Israelites that God appointed.  If we want people over us in the church today, it should be the person that God appoints, and then we should listen to them.  Verse sixteen adds, But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.  Moses said that whoever was over the people of Israel should not grow rich and then want to return to Egypt that they were not to follow Him, because God had said that they were never return that way.  As Christians, Jesus is our king, and we should never want to return to were where we were or what we were before we accepted Him as our Savior and Lord.  Verse seventeen continues, Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.  Moses warned against the one appointed king having multiple wives that would lead him away from God, nor was he to have lots of silver and gold.  These things can still lead us away from God today.  Verse eighteen declares, And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:  Moses said that the king should write himself copies of God's laws to guide him, and ministers today follow the teachings of the Bible.  They are not to write their own laws, just as the people then were to simply write the Law God gave them in a book. Though I believe that we should elect moral leaders to govern today, we as Christians are not always the majority to do so.  Verse nineteen adds, And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:  Moses said that the king was to read and obey God's word all the days of his life.  We as Christians need to daily read and apply the word of God in our life, whether we are a leader or a follower of those that God puts in a position of ministry today.  Verse twenty continues, That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.  Moses said that the king appointed over the people of Israel should not believe that he was superior to any other Israelite, and neither should God's ministers today.

Deuteronomy 17:1

Deuteronomy 17:1 says, Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God.  Moses said that they were not to sacrifice any animal with a blemish to God.  Of course, this was God's law conveyed to them through Moses, and not just something Moses decided on His own.  God's word to us today is still that we need to bring our best to Him, and not just the things that are of less value.  Verse two states, If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,  Moses begins to tell them God's law concerning those, either a man or a woman, within Israel who committed wickedness in the sight of the LORD.  What we need to understand is that everything we do is in the sight of God.  Verse three adds, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded;  Moses then began to specify what some of this wickedness was, and that was serving and worshipping other false gods, like the sun, moon and stars, which God had not commanded them to do.  We as followers of Christ can never believe that the heavenly bodies determine anything about our life, but must acknowledge that only God does.  Verse four continues, And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel:  Moses said that they were to diligently seek the truth if they heard someone was doing this, as we should if we hear that a fellow Christian is doing something wrong today.  Verse five concludes, Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.  Moses said that once it was determined a man or woman had committed an abomination in Israel, they were to be brought forth and stoned.  We today are called on to call them forth and try to correct them, and if they won't be corrected, then we are to not fellowship with them.  Verse six says, At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.  Moses said that it would take the word of two or three witnesses to put the accused to death, and not just one witness.  One person today can start a rumor about another concerning their relationship with God, but we should never take the word of just one person.  Verse seven adds, The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.  Moses said that the witnesses were to cast the first stones, and then the others were to join in.  Verse eight states, If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;  Moses then spoke of disputes that arose in Israel, and said if they did arise, that the people involved were to go the the place of worship that God had designated.  We as followers of Christ, if we have a dispute with another Christian, that we cannot resolve ourselves, need to bring the matter before the church, then accept their ruling.  If we don't believe God's people can resolve our disputes, then we should not look to the world to do so.  Verse nine adds, And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:  Moses said that when they brought their disputes to the priests, the Levites, and to God's judges that would be appointed later, that they would determine the judgment in the matter.  If we bring a matter before the church today, we need to have faith in their decision.  Verse ten continues, And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:  Moses said that they were to obey the decision of those who judged in the place He appointed, according to all that they said.  If we bring a matter of dispute between a fellow believer and us before the church today, we must accept their decision and abide by it.  Verse eleven concludes, According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.  Moses said that they were to obey the ruling of the priests and judges.   We need to obey the ruling of the church when we bring our disputes before them.  

Deuteronomy 16:16

Deuteronomy 16:16 says, Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:  Moses said that the males of the people of Israel were to appear before God three times a year in the place that He would choose.  This was the feast of unleavened bread, the feast weeks, and the feast of tabernacles.  Moses also said that they were not to appear empty handed.  Though I believe this meant without their tithes and offerings, we should never appear before God empty of faith, and as followers of Christ we are constantly before Him because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Verse seventeen adds, Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.  In addition to their tithes, they were to bring offerings as they were able, according to how much God had blessed them.  We should also give according to how God has blessed us and not to satisfy some legalistic requirement.  Verse eighteen states, Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.  Moses said they were to appoint judges to judge the people in disputes between the people, and they were to judge them with just judgements.  We also need to appoint judges today who will judge fairly, and pray for them as they do so.  We should never seek nor want special favors in judgment between others and us, but should always want fair judgment.  Verse nineteen adds,  Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.  Moses said that the judges should not pass judgment based on who the person was, and that judges should never take gifts, because gifts blinded the eye of the wise and perverted the words of the righteous, We need judges today who are not influenced by who a person is, and we certainly need judges who aren't influenced by gifts.  Verse twenty declares, That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.  Moses said that the people of Israel were to altogether follow that which was just, so that they might inherit the land which God gave them.  Though the land was a free gift from God, their keeping it was based on their keeping their covenant relationship with Him.  Though as Christians, our inheriting our home in heaven is a free gift from God, and we will never lose it, it is still based on putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, and we should always do our best to live in accordance with our covenant relationship with Him.  Verse twenty-one adds, Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee.  Moses said that they were not to plant groves of trees near the altar of the Lord their God.  This was sacred ground and not to be used for material purposes.  We should never allow commercial things to enter into the areas that we set aside to worship God today, namely the church building.   Verse twenty-two continues, Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth.  Moses also said they were not to set up any images or idols, which God hated.  This is still true today, and I believe this means even images attempting to represent God.

Deuteronomy 16;9

Deuteronomy 16:9 says, Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.  Moses said they were to number seven weeks from the time they harvested the corn.  Verse ten adds, And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:  Moses said they would celebrate the feast of weeks then, when they would bring a freewill offering according to how God had blessed them.  We today as followers of Christ need to bring our freewill offerings to God in accordance with how He has blessed us.  Verse eleven continues, And thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to place his name there.  Moses said that everyone was to rejoice before God in the place that He had chosen.  We as families need to rejoice before the Lord in the place He chooses.  Verse twelve states, And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt: and thou shalt observe and do these statutes.  Moses said that they were to remember that they were bondmen in Egypt before God set them free, and we need to remember that we in bondage to sin until Jesus Christ set us free.  Verse thirteen adds, Thou shalt observe the feast of tabernacles seven days, after that thou hast gathered in thy corn and thy wine:  They were then to observe the feast of tabernacles for seven days, after they had gathered their corn and wine.  Verse fourteen continues, And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.  Once more, Moses said all within their gates were to rejoice.  It would be a much better world if we could have everyone in our family, community and nation to rejoice in the Lord.  Verse fifteen concludes, Seven days shalt thou keep a solemn feast unto the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD shall choose: because the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice.  Moses said that they were to keep the feast for seven days in the place God chose, because God would bless them in their increase.  We used to have week long revivals to celebrate how God had blessed us and to call others to worship Him, but now we just don't seem to have the time.  Maybe that is why God doesn't give us an increase in blessings. 

Deuteronomy 16:1

Deuteronomy 16:1 says, Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.  Moses said that they were to observe the passover in the month of Abib.  Matthew Henry says this was the month of March or the beginning of April.  This was the month that God delivered them out of bondage in Egypt.  When we observe the Passover today, it is to commerate when Jesus died in our place.  Verse two adds, Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.  Moses said that they were to sacrifice of their flock and herd in the place that God specified, a place where He had placed His name.  We today need to observe the Passover in a place where God has designated and placed His name, the place where we gather together to worship Him.  Verse three continues, Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.  Moses said that they were to eat unleavened bread for a week, and that leavened bread was not to even be allowed within their borders.  This was to remind them of the time when they came out of Egypt by the power of God.  Matthew Henry says that even though the Passover lasted all month, that the people were only required to eat the unleavened bread for a week.  We need to celebrate the Passover for what God did for the people of Israel, but more importantly what Jesus Christ did for us on the cross.  Verse four concludes, And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.  As just discussed, there was to be no unleavened bread within their coasts, and none of the flesh of the sacrificial animals to remain over night.  Verse five states, Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:  Verse six adds, But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.  Moses once again told them that they could not sacrifice the Passover wherever they were, but were to sacrifice it where God had chosen to place His name as the place of worship.  We today should likewise observe the Passover in a place that God has chosen for us to gather together to worship Him.  Verse seven continues, And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.  Moses said that they were to roast and eat the passover sacrifice in the place God designated and the next morning they eould be free to return to their tents.  After we gather together to observe the Passover today, we are free to return to our homes, and should have a renewed commitment to serve God faithfully.  Verse eight concludes. Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.  Moses said that they were to eat unleavened bread for six days, and the seventh day they to have a holy convocation, or assembly, unto the LORD. 

Deuteronomy 15:12

Deuteronomy 15:12 says, And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee.  Moses said that if a Hebrew man or woman had sold themselves into slavery to another Hebrew, then on the seventh year thay they were to be set free.  For some, this might have meant that they had only served for a year or so.  Verse thirteen adds, And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty:  Verse fourteen adds, Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the LORD thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.  Moses said that when the person was released from bondage, he or she was not to be sent away empty handed, but was to be given liberally of the possessions that God had blessed the man freeing them with.  We today, even if God has richly blessed us, too often do not want to share those blessings of material things with others, and especially not liberally. Verse fifteen concludes, And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.  Moses said that they were to remember that God had freed them when they were bondsmen in Egypt, and that He didn't send them away empty handed.  As followers of Christ, God has freed us from the bondage of sin, and He liberally provides for our needs afterwards, if we put our faith in Him to do so.  Verse sixteen states, And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee;  Moses then told them that a person under bondage to them might not want to leave, because the man had been so good to them.  After God frees us from sin and we begin to faithfully serve Him, we should never want to leave Him.  Verse seventeen adds, Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant for ever. And also unto thy maidservant thou shalt do likewise.  Moses said that if the man or woman didn't want to leave, the master was to run an awl through their ear into the door of his house, and this would be a sign that he or she had willingly bonded themselves to him from then on.  We don't have a physical sign of being a servant of God today, but once we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, we are bonded to Him forever.  Verse eighteen continues, It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.  I believe this referred to those who wanted to be set free, and not to those who wanted to stay.  Those that the man released he was to release freely without it feeling like a burden to him.  I believe we can apply this to forgiving others today, which we should never feel is a burden to us, but is done freely.  Verse nineteen declares, All the firstling males that come of thy herd and of thy flock thou shalt sanctify unto the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work with the firstling of thy bullock, nor shear the firstling of thy sheep.  Moses reminded them once again that the first born of their flocks belonged to God, and they were to not use them for their own benefit in any way.  What we dedicate to God today, His tithes and our offerings, we should never attempt to then use for our own purposes.  Verse twenty adds, Thou shalt eat it before the LORD thy God year by year in the place which the LORD shall choose, thou and thy household.  Moses said that they could eat of the sacrifice after it had been offered to God at the place He specified.  They were to do this perpetually.  Verse twenty-one says, And if there be any blemish therein, as if it be lame, or blind, or have any ill blemish, thou shalt not sacrifice it unto the LORD thy God.  Any firstborn with a blemish or physical defect was not to be sacrificed to God.  God wants the best, and if we accept Jesus Christ, we become spiritually perfect to God, and as long as we live by the direction of the Holy Spirit, we remain that way.  Verse twenty-two adds, Thou shalt eat it within thy gates: the unclean and the clean person shall eat it alike, as the roebuck, and as the hart. Verse twenty-three continues, Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water.  Though they were not to bring the first born that had some defect to the altar, they weren't to keep it either.  They were to kill it and eat where they were, just as would have happened if they had sacrificed it on the altar.  The first born still belonged to God and was not theirs to keep.  We as Christians belong to God, and everything that we have is His.  Moses also again reminded them that they were not to eat the blood of the sacrifice.  This represented the life of the animal. 

Deuteronomy 15:7

Deuteronomy 15:7 says, If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:  Moses said if there was a poor man who was Israelite with the land that God had given them that the other people of Israel were not to harden their hearts against him.  We also should never harden our hearts against our fellow Christians if God has richly blessed us.  Verse eight adds, But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.  Moses said they should open their hand and loan him what he needed. They were not to just open their heart, or empathize with him, but were to open their hand and actually do something to physically or materially help him.  We today as followers of Christ are to do the same.  Verse nine continues, Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.  Moses warned them against thinking that the seventh year, the year of release, was near and allowing this to keep them from helping the person.  We today should never allow whether a person, especially a fellow Christian, will be able to repay us to keep us from helping them.  God has told us that we can never out give Him, so we need to live as though we believe it.  Verse ten states, Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.  Moses said no matter how close it was to the year of release that their heart should not be grieved because they were loaning the man something that he would never have to repay, because God would bless all that they did because of it.  We may miss the blessings of God today because we refuse to help those in need if we figure that they can never repay us.  Verse eleven adds, For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.  Moses said that the poor would never cease to exist in the land of Israel, and those who had the ability to help them should never cease to do so.  We might think that since they were all Israelites that God would bless them all materially the same, but this was not the case, just as it isn't today.  As followers of Christ, we should see everything that we have as a blessing from God, not something that we somehow deserve more than other Christians.  

Deuteronomy 15:1

Deuteronomy 15:1 says, At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.  Ever seven years, the people of Israel were to make a release.  Verse two adds, And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD’s release.  This release was for every creditor to release the debtor from his debt.  He was not to seek repayment from the man's brother, neighbor, or anyone else, because the release was God's release, meaning that God had commanded it.  As followers of Christ, we are forgiven of our sins every day and not just every seven years, but we are also called on to forgive the debts of others, just as God forgives our debts.  Verse three continues, Of a foreigner thou mayest exact it again: but that which is thine with thy brother thine hand shall release;  This release did not apply to those who were not Israelites, but to their people of Israel only.  They could reapply, or not release, the debt of strangers, or none Israelites.  We can make this apply to release from the penalty of sin only for those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, but I believe it also tells us that how we treat our Christian brothers and sisters in financial matters should be different than the world would treat them.  Matthew Henry points out that the seventh year was the year that the Israelites were to do no planting and harvesting, so there really would be no way for those who were already barely surviving to repay any debt, and says that this applied to debts to maintain daily needs and not to business debts.  Of course, the Bible really doesn't specify if this applied to some specific debts and not others.  Verse four states, Save when there shall be no poor among you; for the LORD shall greatly bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it:  Moses said that this would not apply when there were no needy among the people of Israel because of God's great blessings.  If the people of Israel lived by God's guidance, there should be no group that had more than they needed while others didn't even have enough to survive.  If we put our faith in God, and He richly blesses us, we should not leave our fellow Christians to suffer without even enough to meet their basic needs.  Verse five adds, Only if thou carefully hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all these commandments which I command thee this day.  Moses said these things would only be true if they obeyed God's commandments.  When it comes to how we treat our fellow Christians, we must obey God's laws if we expect His continued blessings.   Verse six continues, For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over thee.  Moses said if they obeyed God's commandments, that they would lend to many nations, but  not borrow from them, and then they could reign over many nations, but none could reign over them because of debts to these nations.  They needed to put their faith in God alone, and so must we today.  

Deuteronomy 14:22

Deuteronomy 14:22 says, Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.  Moses told the Israelites that they were to tithe on all the increase that their crops brought forth.  We sometimes seem to want to figure out the least that we can tithe, but I believe that God wants us to tithe on everything, and even give above that.  We may receive less of a blessing from God because of our unwillingness to give generously to Him.  Verse twenty-three adds, And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.  Moses said they were to eat before their God in the place He had chosen and that they were to bring all their tithes to Him there, so that they could learn to fear Him, or hold Him in the highest respect.  We as followers of Christ, His people by our faith in Him as our Savior and Lord, need to bring our tithes and offerings to Him wherever He leads us to worship Him today.  We are to hold God in awesome respect, but I do not believe we are to fear Him if that implies to be afraid of Him.  God will always want what is best for us.  Verse twenty-four states, And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:  Moses then addressed what they were to do if they were too far away from the place that God designated for them to gather and worship Him and to bring everything to Him there.  As Christians today, we are seldom to far away from a place of worship to bring our tithes and offerings to God there.  Verse twenty-five adds, Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:  Moses said if they were too far away to bring all the literal tithes of their crops and livestock to God at the place He designated as the central place of worship, that they were to sell the crops and livestock and bind the money they received for them to their hand and bring it to a place that God designated.  God was still in charge.  We generally are already being paid our increase in money, and all we need to do is bring our tithes and offerings to God at the place He designates.  Verse twenty-six continues, And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,  This money was to then be used to buy food and drink to celebrate the goodness of God.  Verse twenty-seven says, And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. This was after the Levites received their portion.  We must always remember to take care of those who serve God as ministers and any other area of service today with our tithes and offerings first.  Then, the rest is to be used in a way that honors God and celebrates His goodness to us.  Verse twenty-eight adds, At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:  Moses said that every third year they were to bring all the increase before God and lay it up within the gates of the place of worship that God had designated.  Verse twenty-nine continues, And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.  Moses said that they were to do this so that the Levites, the strangers, the fatherless and the widows within the gates would have enough to eat and be satisfied.  Then, the LORD would bless them.  We today need to do all that we can to provide for those in full-time ministry and for widows and orphans, even if they are strangers to us.  Then, God will richly bless us.  

Deuteronomy 14:11

Deuteronomy 14:11 says, Of all clean birds ye shall eat.  Next, Moses listed all the birds the people of Israel could eat, calling them clean birds.  This was not just Moses decision, but God's.  If anyone starts to tell us as Christians what we cannot eat today, it is their decision and not God's, and we should not base what we can and cannot eat on what they say.  Verse twelve states, But these are they of which ye shall not eat: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray,  Moses then began to list the birds that they could not eat.  Verse thirteen adds, And the glede, and the kite, and the vulture after his kind,  Verse fourteen continues, And every raven after his kind, These were birds of prey and birds that ate dead flesh.  Verse fifteen says, And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,  Verse sixteen adds, The little owl, and the great owl, and the swan,  Verse seventeen continues, And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,  Verse eighteen states, And the stork, and the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat.  These are still birds that we probably wouldn't eat today, because it wouldn't be healthy, but even they are not forbidden for moral reasons.  Verse nineteen states, And every creeping thing that flieth is unclean unto you: they shall not be eaten. Verse twenty adds, But of all clean fowls ye may eat.  Moses concluded his list of what was prohibited, then said that all clean birds could be eaten, and those were any not listed as forbidden.  Matthew Henry points out that these rules applied only to the Israelites, and not to the rest of the world.  We as followers of Christ really have no rules or restrictions, dietary or otherwise, that do not apply to the rest of the world.  The only difference is that we believe and obey them and they don't.  God's law is universal, even if it is not accepted.  Verse twenty-one declares, Ye shall not eat of any thing that dieth of itself: thou shalt give it unto the stranger that is in thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto an alien: for thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk.  Moses then told them that they could not eat anything that died naturally,  but they could give it to a stranger to eat, or even sell it to them.  These animals likely would not have had the blood drained from them.  The people of Israel were to do this because they were a holy people, not because of who they were physically, but because of their relationship with God.  So are we today as followers of Christ.  Moses also added that they were not cook a kid, or young goat, in its mothers milk.

Deuteronomy 14:1

Deuteronomy 14:1 says, Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.  Moses said they were the children of God and they were not to cut themselves nor shave their heads in mourning for the dead.  They were not to harm or even disfigure themselves because they still had a heavenly Father, no matter who died, and if the person who died was truly a child of God, they had simply gone on to their heavenly home.  Verse two adds, For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God,  and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Moses said they were a holy people, chosen by God and not by their own goodness.  They were to be a peculiar people, different in their values from all other people.  As followers of Christ, we are a holy people because of Who our God is, and not because of who we are of our own merit.  We, like Israel, are to be  peculiar people, set aside from the values of the world to live by God's law.  Verse three states, Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.  Moses then said that they were not to eat any abominable thing, and then he told them what would be considered abominable.  Of course, after the death of Jesus, these restrictions were removed by God, so we are free to eat these animals today.  Verse four adds, These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat,  Verse five continues, The hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer, and the wild goat, and the pygarg, and the wild ox, and the chamois.  Verse six concludes, And every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.  The people of Israel were given a large variety of animals that they could eat, and we are given an even greater freedom in what we eat today.  Nothing that we eat is going to make us spiritually unclean.  Verse seven says, Nevertheless these ye shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the cloven hoof; as the camel, and the hare, and the coney: for they chew the cud, but divide not the hoof; therefore they are unclean unto you.  Some animals, such as the camel, hare and coney, chewed the cud but did not have a cloven, or divided hoof.  Verse eight adds, And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.  Swine were also included, because they did not chew cud.  These restrictions were to set the people of God apart from the rest of the world.  We today are set apart by putting our faith in Jesus Christ and then living by His laws.  Verse nine states, These ye shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales shall ye eat:  There were also restrictions on what fish the people of Isreal could eat.  If the fish had fins and scales, they could eat it.  Verse ten adds, And whatsoever hath not fins and scales ye may not eat; it is unclean unto you.  If the animal coming from the water did not have fins and scales, it was not to be eaten.  This would have included things such as eels, catfish, shrimp, clams, and oysters, and I personally am happy that these restrictions were removed when God told Peter that what He made clean Peter was not to call unclean, and neither should we.

Deuteronomy 13:12

Deuteronomy 13:12 says, If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which the LORD thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying,  Verse thirteen adds, Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known;   Moses then spoke to them about hearing someone in any city that God had given them calling on them to go and worship other gods.  These were people who had seen God's power and goodness, but who were still willing to turn away from their covenant relationship with Him.  As Christians, we have a covenant relationship with God, and nothing should ever tempt us to turn away from Him.  Verse fourteen continues, Then shalt thou inquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you;  Moses said that the first thing they should do was to diligently seek the truth about what had been said.  As followers of Christ we should always seek the truth before we act, especially if it involves others being accused of something that goes against God's word.  Verse fifteen states, Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword.  Moses then told them that if they determined it to be truae that they had turned away from God to follow false gods,that they were to kill all the inhabitants of the city and to utterly destroy the city.  Turning away from God to chase false gods brought extreme punishment, but it was in the world to come where the consequences were truly bad.  Those who had turned away from God would be forever separated from Him.  Verse sixteen adds, And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for the LORD thy God: and it shall be an heap for ever; it shall not be built again.  Moses said they were to burn all the spoil of the city, and the city should never be built again.  We need to completely destroy everything that would lead us away from God, and never attempt to build anything on it again.  Verse seventeen continues, And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers;  Moses then warned them to not attempt to keep anything from this city for themselves so that God would turn away from His fierce anger and have compassion on them and multiply their numbers as He had promised to do.  God's promises to us are always dependent on our obedience to Him, starting with accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We cannot claim to accept Jesus Christ and still worship anything else.  Being a Christian is never about getting more material wealth.  Verse eighteen concludes, When thou shalt hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of the LORD thy God.  Moses said that if they wanted to receive the blessings of God that they would have to listen to His voice and keep His commandments.  If we want to receive the blessings of God today, we must first listen to His voice calling us to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, and if we accept Him as our personal Savior and Lord, we are God's forever.  Still, even though we cannot be saved by obeying God's commandments,  because we will always fail to keep them all, once we are saved by faith, we should do our best to obey all of God's commandments.