Day 60

Caring for Our Neighbor

Read: Deuteronomy 22-24

The common theme running through the various laws in this section is that we must be careful to protect the rights of our fellow human beings, especially those in situations that put them at a disadvantage. We are to reach out to help people whatever their need (22:1). Even animal life must be protected. Care must be taken for a mother bird “that it may go well with you, and that you may live long” (v. 7).

The Old Testament laws can be divided into three types: ceremonial, which are fulfilled in Christ; civil, which for us today provide principles as we seek to live with each other; and moral, which are just as much for us today as when they were first given. The laws in this section are civil laws, and the law of the parapet (22:8) shows us one of these principles. In Israel, houses had flat roofs. If a parapet was not built around such a roof, a neighbor child might climb up, fall off easily, and be injured. The parapet was to be added to protect against such accidents. In a culture where flat roofs are not so common, the literal law is meaningless. But the principle is abiding. We are to do what we can to keep a fellow human being from being injured.

Special concern must be taken in the area of sex. The Bible teaches that sex is neither cheap nor dirty. It is a precious gift of God which must be carefully guarded against misuse. It is meant to be fully expressed only within the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman.

PRAYER
Father, in all our actions help us to be careful to protect the rights of our neighbors. In Jesus’ name. Amen.