Deuteronomy 22 -- Hmmmmm

I noticed two phrases repeated often in this chapter.  The first was, “Don’t just ignore it,” and the situations it applied to included helping others in times of trouble.  We’d probably think of these as sins of omission – failing to do what we should have done.

The other repeated phrase was, “You must get rid of the evil among you,” and the situations listed included people lying to others, having sex before marriage, committing adultery, and rape.  One amazing situation mentioned was a man raping an unengaged girl.  He had to pay her father a bride-price and marry the girl, and he could never divorce her.  This would seem to lock the girl into a lifetime of reliving the rape with her attacker.  My commentary even said, “We wonder how successful marriages will be that begin with lust and are held together only by law.”  Yes, the girl at least had a husband to provide for her physical needs rather than being left destitute and unmarriable because of the rape, but ……

Father, help me to not just ignore my neighbor – whoever they may be – when they are in need of my help.  Help me to get rid of any evil in my own life.  And help me to understand the separateness that You desire to keep me from being corrupted by the world and to serve as a testimony to Your holiness.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford