Why on earth would this part of the scriptures found in Deuteronomy 22 be there?
It is such a common sense rule. In those days people had flat roofs and they used them like porches. Now God is reminding them to put a parapet around them so if they have a guest; they will be safe and not fall off.
Well……DAH…..most people would already assume that this is necessary; so why on earth do we keep bringing it up?
Here is the passage which we speak of:
(Deuteronomy 22:8) When you build a new house, make a parapet around your roof so that you may not bring the guilt of bloodshed on your house if someone falls from the roof.
To make a REAL living I work for an architect. This sure sounds like a building code to me! I guess if we have building codes today; it was also necessary when Israel began to build in their new nation.
This also hints to the fact that carelessness is a sin.
People should pay attention to what they are doing and not be careless with other people’s lives and safety. Maybe it isn’t so strange that this comes up. I can just hear the local women who want to have the very best view from their rooftops saying “Wouldn’t it be okay if we just left off that wall around the roof? I don’t want one inch of my view being blocked.”
I can just hear the builder of her home saying “Do you want your children to accidentally fall off the roof? What if your neighbor came over and accidentally took a step back in the wrong spot? Better to be safe than sorry. I’m not building the roof without the parphet!”
Yes; I guess common sense has always had to be explained to some people or the hazards of carelessness would constantly prevail.
Why deal with trouble you don’t need?
Be at peace and finish your job by building the low wall around the rooftop.
Another amusing thought entered my mind as I read this. Jesus would have been right there beside God The Father who was giving the instructions to Moses. Remember how Jesus was a carpenter during his time on this earth? Perhaps he brought this up; knowing that he was going to see lots of rooftop accidents whenever he came down to live with us?
Any good carpenter would agree!
We need rules for safety and well-being for sure.
Love your neighbor; put a parapet around your roof!
So I can just hear all progressive liberals out there saying; “love your neighbor – wear a mask and get a vaccine!”
And I can just hear all conservatives saying (or thinking to themselves;) – “Wearing a mask is causing more problems than it is helping the environment; and getting a vaccine would be great if there were any REAL, tested vaccines out there that have been proven effective; and if they didn’t have to do the research or create the vaccine using aborted fetal cells. A vaccine is supposed to cure a disease; and not allow you to catch that disease again only with a little less symptoms.”
This parapet thing was easy folks; not many could argue the other side. If someone fell off the roof; it hurt them.
A virus doesn’t work that way.
It isn’t that cut and dry. For years and years we have watched as some people caught the common flu and quickly recovered with a better immunity; and some died from the same flu.
There are many answers and as many different opinions.
Even the parapet code/law applied only when you had a flat roof. What if your roof was sloped? There would be a whole new set of circumstances to consider; but of course; people would not have been walking around on a sloped rooftop.
So a rule was only given for the situations that were needed.
Now we are getting somewhere.
If we need new rules and laws we should be considering passing them; but if the current laws cover us and take care of everyone already; why change them with new laws?
The new laws might allow worse situations than the old tried and true laws.
Just like when you need to use a parapet for a flat roof; the builders of our modern society need to look up and ask; what would God want us to do?
What may be good for some may not be good for others. The most theology we can glean from this verse is to follow God’s advice and seek his wisdom for you and yours.
If every household does this; all will be just fine.