In case you just joined us

O.K., this entry took awhile because I chose to get through Deuteronomy in its entirety. That’s because, at least two-thirds of its 27 pages in my edition is continuous review of the last three books’ events. In sermons by Moses in Moab, he recounts in meticulous detail (some would say tedious) all that had transpired in the last forty years of exile and advancement toward the promised land across the Jordan River. This includes the commandments re-stated and every law laid down. Some were new to this Book.

There are wonderful laws in here about never bearing false witness, about caring for your neighbor, about protecting rights of orphans, widows, and aliens. Even not taking advantage of a hired hand who is poor and needy, and not cheating in business transactions. And then, consider for yourself the following…

If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son, he (the son) should be stoned to death by the men in the town. This edict, along with many others, comes with the “You must purge the evil from among you” refrain as justification.

“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, nor a man woman’s clothing.”

“Do not wear clothes of woolen and linen woven together.”

If a man grows to dislike his wife and accuses her of not being a virgin when they married, if they find that is true she is to be stoned to death.  Same for a man?  Don't know.

“If a man is recently married he is not to be sent to war of have any other duty laid upon him. He is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to his wife.” Oh yes!! Talk about bonding.

“If a man is found sleeping with another man’s wife,” both must die.

Build a parapet around your roof so that if someone falls from the roof, the guilt of bloodshed won’t land on your house.

Divorce seems accepted, however, a wife can’t remarry her first husband if her second doesn’t work out. Hmmm.

How about this: if a woman’s husband dies, it is her brother-in-law’s duty to take her in as his wife. If he doesn’t want to, she can go to him in front of the elders, remove one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, “That man’s line shall be known as the Family of the Unsandaled.” Well, I never!

If two men are fighting and the wife of one intervenes and grabs the privates of the assailant, she is to have her hand cut off. “Show her no pity.”

In some situations, the Israelites are instructed by God Himself to lay siege on a city, kill all the men, and keep all children, women, livestock, etc. for themselves as plunder. In other circumstances, they are told to kill “every living thing.” I can’t get over this.

“The Lord of lords shows no partiality.” That is, I guess, as long as you are in the in-crowd of Israelites.

Confession #41: I continue to wrestle with a question I cannot answer: Why must God “choose” a people in the first place? Why would not God be a god for all He has created?