Making vows 23:21-23Vows to God were voluntary, but the Lord wanted His people to keep them after they made them (Deuteronomy 23:21-23). Failure to do so amounted to stealing from God.God’s people should follow through with their commitments (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9-10). read more
Laws regarding admittance to the Congregation, cleanliness in the Camp, Unchastity, Usury, and Vows1. Shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord] i.e. not merely as priests (see Leviticus 21:16-24) but as ordinary members of the nation of Israel, all of whom are ’holy unto the Lord.’ The reference in this v. is probably to the self-mutilation practised by the devotees of certain heathen gods, and alluded to by St. Paul in Galatians 5:12: cp. Deuteronomy 14:1. 2. A bastard is understood... read more
LAWS OF KINDNESSWITH the commands we now have to consider, we leave altogether the region of strict law, and enter entirely upon that of aspiration and of feeling. Kindness, by its very nature, eludes the rude compulsion of law, properly so called. It ceases to be kindness when it loses spontaneity and freedom. Precept, therefore, not law, is the utmost that any lawgiver can give in respect to it; and this is precisely what we have in Deuteronomy, so far as it endeavors to incite men to... read more
19. The Congregation of Jehovah and Its Constitution and Holiness CHAPTER 23 1. The constitution of the congregation of Jehovah (Deuteronomy 23:1-8 ) 2. The cleanness of the camp in time of war (Deuteronomy 23:9-14 ) 3. Concerning the escaped slave and the harlot (Deuteronomy 23:15-18 ) 4. Usury forbidden (Deuteronomy 23:19-20 ) 5. Concerning vows (Deuteronomy 23:21-23 ) 6. The neighbor’s vineyard and field (Deuteronomy 23:24-25 ) The congregation of Israel is called in this... read more
NECESSARY EXCLUSIONS (vs.1-8) A man who was emasculated in any way could not be recognized as one of Israel's congregation (v.1). Such mutilation deprives one of his proper masculinity. The Lord makes a clear distinction between men and women, and in the present day each has distinct functions in the assembly of God. So that the spiritual lesson for us is that we fully assume the responsibilities of our God-given place. Of course in the Church of God today one's physical deformities make no... read more
MORE REGULATIONS PUBLIC PRIVILEGES (Deuteronomy 23:1-9 ) The privileges referred to here are doubtless honors in the state and perhaps, in the case of foreigners, incorporation with Israel by marriage. Eunuchs and bastards were denied these privileges (Deuteronomy 23:1-2 ), and also members of what Gentile nations (Deuteronomy 23:3 )? What caused the latter prohibition (Deuteronomy 23:4-6 )? Such passages as Nehemiah 13:1 ; Ruth 4:10 ; and 2 Kings 10:2 show that there were some exceptions... read more
The LORD'S people were not obliged to vows; but they were obliged, when they had at anytime made them, to their faithful observance. Ecclesiastes 5:4; Ecclesiastes 5:4 . read more
15-25 It is honourable to shelter and protect the weak, provided they are not wicked. Proselytes and converts to the truth, should be treated with particular tenderness, that they may have no temptation to return to the world. We cannot honour God with our substance, unless it be honestly and honourably come by. It must not only be considered what we give, but how we got it. Where the borrower gets, or hopes to get, it is just that the lender should share the gain; but to him that borrows for... read more
Various Duties Within the Congregation. v. 15. Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant, the slave, which is escaped from his master unto thee. This rule concerned the case of a slave from one of the heathen nations, who had fled from his master on account of inhuman treatment. v. 16. He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, in any of the cities of Israel, where it liketh him best, he was at liberty to make such changes... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 23:1-25
A holy nation (23:1-25)Various laws prohibited foreigners, eunuchs and people born through immorality from joining fully in Israel’s public worship. This discouraged Israelites from copying heathen practices or marrying heathen people. At the same time it impressed upon them the holiness God required (23:1-8). Holiness also demanded high standards of cleanliness in the camp, particularly in matters concerning discharges from sexual organs and treatment of human excrement (9-14).Other features... read more