Deuteronomy 23:1-8 -

Stern safeguards sometimes needed.

It was no small part of the education of the Hebrew people at once to stamp as disreputable the practices of bodily mutilation which were common enough among heathen nations. The honor of the congregation of the Lord was bound up in its freedom from complicity therewith. Eunuchs and illegitimate offspring were excluded from the congregation of the Lord, lest the moral virus connected with the associations of their life should be as poison in the camp. Hence this shield against its poisonous influence is to be preserved down "to the tenth generation," both as a brand on former sin and as a guard against future evil. Sentence of exclusion is also passed on the Ammonites and Moabites (see Genesis 19:36-38 ). The stain on the origin of these races is grievous. And the new generations had, by their hostility to the people of God, and because of their superstitious arts, shown that naught but peril could attend their admission, for a long time to come. To seek "their peace and prosperity" would have been an increase of peril, as well as a connivance at wrong. Hence it was forbidden ( Deuteronomy 23:6 ). That this, and not the cultivation of needless hostility or revenge, was intended by these prohibitions is clear from Deuteronomy 23:7 , Deuteronomy 23:8 . Two extremes are to be avoided. No rancor or grudge is to be cherished over past ills inflicted, and yet kindliness of feeling is not to be allowed to degenerate into even apparent friendship with ungodliness and sin. In these facts and precepts the following teachings are included or suggested.

I. The perfection of social life can only be secured when the several members of any society are holy unto the Lord.

II. The outside world presents very much that is the reverse of this, even all kinds of spiritual and sensual wickedness.

III. While it behooves us to cherish a spirit of true benevolence towards all, yet we may never wink at sin.

IV. It may be necessary for us to adopt stern measures towards ethers, even that of banishment ( 1 Corinthians 5:6 , 1 Corinthians 5:13 ), in order to avoid contamination.

V. We may well cherish, and teach others to cherish, a special hatred of sins of the flesh, since it may not be for many, many generations that blood-poisoning thereby ceases to corrupt or taint the life. Surely men would more frequently check themselves in sin if they would remember for how long they may enfeeble the constitutions and embitter the lives of those who may hereafter owe their existence to them.