Tuesday, April 16 – Deuteronomy 18, 19
Study Questions:
1. Why were the tribe of Levi not to have a “part or inheritance with Israel”? Deuteronomy 18:1, 2
2. What is the definition of “blameless” that God offers in the instructions He gives to His people in Deuteronomy 18:13?
3. What instructions does God give to His people to discern if the prophet is from God? Deuteronomy 18:22
4. What principle does the Lord establish through His instruction in Deuteronomy 19:14?
Commentary and Reflection:
“Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” Deuteronomy 19:21
Surely, if you understand the value of grace, if you are a Christian, if you have ever needed someone to show mercy to you, if you believe in a God of compassion, mercy, and second chances, this command from the Lord is difficult to assimilate.
Especially when we read these words of Jesus:
“’You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.” Matthew 5:38-42
How to reconcile the apparent contradiction?
First, we must consider that we serve a just God. The Lord does not let anyone escape His justice. Forgiveness of sins, divine grace, do not contradict this thought, but elevates and affirms it. Our salvation is secured because Christ assumed our sentence. He is our perfect substitute sacrifice.
With this in mind, we still need to reconcile the language of Deuteronomy 19. The second thing we must consider is that the ancient people of Israel, before Saul was named the first king of Israel, were politically and civilly governed under a theocracy.
Theocracy is the form of government in which political authority emanates from God and is exercised directly or indirectly by a religious institution. The language that God is using here is of a legal nature to establish the parameters of civil justice for His people.
Let us think to whom Jesus was referring when He made the statement we mentioned earlier. Jesus is not speaking in legal terms but on a personal, heart level.
Men corrupted God’s law to achieve evil goals. This is evident, for example, when the Pharisees brought the sinful woman to Jesus’ feet. Jesus wanted to teach them that the law is one thing, but the heart of a child of God is another.
In this world, if we make mistakes, we will have to suffer the consequences; but this does not mean that there is no salvation or grace for us. Let’s think about the case of the thief on the cross. He suffered the death penalty for his crimes. However, his salvation and eternal life are assured in Christ Jesus!
Similarly, if someone offends us, we may have the law on our side, but the more perfect justice is to apply God’s grace “against” our offenders.
For in the Lord’s justice, we also see the most powerful example of His grace. The sentence is severe, and Jesus assumes it by offering His perfect blood in our place.
What is left for us to do?
Pastor Ronald Paulin