In any human endeavor, it is important to have rules for law and order; but especially when one is inviting God inside the camp.
Welcome once again to The IN SEASON Lifestyle’s Thursday Bible Study called COME AS A CHILD. Today we will be examining the last few sections of the scriptures found in Deuteronomy, Chapter 23.
These last two sections of this chapter have to do with the cleanliness of the campsite, and other miscellaneous laws for keeping order and holiness.
CLEANLINESS OF THE CAMPSITE
Basically, this section of the referenced passage states that anything “unclean” should be kept outside the campsite.
After someone has been declared unclean, (for whatever known reason) he should remain outside the camp for a certain period of time, then he should wash with water and come back into the campsite after the sun sets.
There was no permanent or indoor plumbing out in the wilderness; so naturally the place to use the bathroom was designated to be outside the camp. The person involved would always need to clean up after himself when done, including using a shovel to bury any excrement.
The point is made that God moves and walks among the campsite, so everywhere that a person would go inside the camp must be clean. The old saying comes to mind here; that “cleanliness is next to godliness.” Holy places must always be kept clean and holy.
MISCELLANEOUS LAWS
Though Israel had been in slavery yet escaped; there were still those among them who had accumulated debts and committed themselves to being slaves in order to repay that debt.
There were times among the campers when such slaves were abused. They could not escape from the camp without breaking the law; so they would go to another slave owner and hide from their master. If this happened within your gates, you were to help the slave and you were not to return him/her to their master.
Also, there were pagan practices in those day where ritual harlots were used in pagan temples. This is an abomination to God. It was an even worse abomination if the harlot turned out to be one of Israel. If anyone sold such a person; that money was not to come to the temple as an offering; for it would be offensive. The same rule here applied if you sold your dog. The offering was such an insult that it was compared to the price of a dog.
CHARGING INTEREST
In business matters among family; Israel was not to charge interest to another Israelite This was the case for loans, or in the use of food for payment for services. Foreigners could be charged interest, but no other Israelites.
KEEPING VOWS
All vows to God were to be kept. If it was a monetary vow; it was to be paid. If you were uncertain that you could fulfill any vow; it was best to remain silent and not make such a promise. Once a vow was spoken out loud, it was considered official and could not be revoked.
LAWS OF THE FIELDS
If you were walking through your neighbor’s vineyard or garden; it was okay to pluck and eat whatever was being grown there as you passed through; but it WAS NOT okay to bring a bucket or a basket to fill up and take home with you without first getting your neighbor’s permission. If your neighbor grew grain; you could pluck a head of grain, but you were not permitted to mow it down and glean a harvest without permission.
REWARD FOR OBEDIENCE
Any time God’s people respond and are obedient to what God is asking them to do; they are rewarded in the form of abundant blessings. This was the case with these “housekeeping” rules of Israel.
When these rules were carefully and obediently followed; God blessed the people who kept them. God blessed their every effort.