Title: Help the Weak / Deuteronomy 23:1-25
Contents
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Subject: Help the weak
Text: Deuteronomy 23:1-25
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Deuteronomy 20: On the Holy War
Prepare for war...don't be afraid.
The rules of war... Offer peace.
Do not cut down the trees/fruit trees of that city.
Deuteronomy 21: Various Laws
Resolution of Murder Cases 21:1-9
When dealing with captive women 10-14
How to inherit the firstborn 15-17
Against a rebellious child 18-21
How to dispose of dead bodies on trees 22,23
Deuteronomy 22: Love your neighbor. 22:1-4
Forbid mixing 5-12
Respect chastity. 13-30
Deut. 23: Written about how to purify the congregation and help the weak.
1. One to be removed from the congregation (1-8)
General Assembly/Congregation ... Hebrew corresponds to 'ekklesia' in the New Testament.
'Congregation of Jehovah' means a religious community. They are a contracting community. Therefore, it is very important to distinguish those who will enter their congregation and those who will not.
Those who cannot participate in the congregation of Israel
1) Castrated males and illegitimate children whose descendants are not allowed to participate in the congregation of Jehovah until their teenage years. Only those who are physically perfect, born of legitimate marriage, can enter the community. (14:1, 2 22:5, 9-11)
2) Ammon Moabites (3-6)
This is because they plotted a tactic to curse Israel through Balaam. Therefore, they could not participate in the congregation of Israel forever (Nehemiah 13:1-3). 'Do not seek their peace and prosperity all your life' (6). The brotherhood of Deuteronomy is limited to Israel. Israeli nationalism was to preserve the purity of Jehovah's religion.
After that Jeremiah taught that we should strive for the peace of Babylon and pray to the Lord for them (Jeremiah 29:7).
3) Edomites and Egyptians
They were allowed to enter the congregation of Israel after three generations. (7-9) The Edomites were not kind to Israel, but do not hate them. The Egyptians also mistreated Israel, but told them not to hate them. It was because Israel was a stranger in their land. (Numbers 20:14-21)
2. The camp is clean (23:9-14)
It will be seen as a continuation of the 20th chapter of Deuteronomy. Israel is to be preserved as a holy place because they believe that the Lord is in the midst of the camp. How do I clean the camp?
1) You must keep away from evil religiously/ethically.(19)
We must shun what is unrighteous in the sight of God. To win a war, you must first have righteousness. 'Righteousness glorifies the kingdom (Proverbs 14:34).
2) Prevent external filthiness (10-13)
It will clean the camp by handling things like mongseol and feces well. External uncleanness means spiritual uncleanness. It speaks for itself how lazy he is. If the environment is dirty, it means that his mind is not in order. 'Sanctify the camp. Then ... he will not leave you.' (14)
3. Protect the weak.
1) Regarding the servant who has fled (15,16), do not send him back and let him live well.
2) Do not tolerate prostitutes or small movements. This has to do with idolatry.
They also did not tolerate bringing their money to the 'House of the Lord'.
A dog's income... means male prostitutes. The offering to God must be clean. (The gift of the rich man, the dedication of Ananias' property) Proverbs 21:27 'If the sacrifice of the wicked is by nature detestable, how much more is it offered with an evil will?'
3) Do not make a loan with interest from your fellow countrymen.
Do not use your neighbor's misfortune as a means of earning profits. Peoples should help each other. However, interest income was allowed to the Gentiles.
4) Do not be slow to pay off your vows. (21-23)
5) Even if you eat your neighbor's wheat or grapes, you must not steal. (24,25)