The Ethics Of A Chosen People (21:1-30)
Neal Pollard
Training people to swim against the tide of their surrounding culture is not easy, nor is it natural to teach people to resist their fleshly impulses. The guidelines here continue, if we accept James Smith’s interpretation, with matters related to the sixth commandment (1-8) then move on to matters related to the seventh (9-23:18). The thread between them all is an unselfish regard for the rights and well-being of others, even the animal world (6-7). Smith’s paralleling of instruction here in Deuteronomy with the ten commandments is not a perfect fit (how does verse 5 fit with the sixth commandment?!), but there is credence in his approach of showing the “inner logic” of God’s law.
Look out for your neighbor’s livestock (1-4). To be the right kind of neighbor to one another, the Israelite was not to ignore a straying or lost ox, sheep, donkey, garment, or anything else (1,3). The animal was to be held at home if the owner is not known or near (2). One was also to help his neighbor with a fallen animal (4). The Golden Rule was no doubt an underlying principle, though it would not be expressed until Jesus teaches about it (Mat. 7:12).
Look out for nature (5-11). To reconcile this verse being sandwiched between fallen donkeys and bird’s nests, one must seek common denominators. Lange and Schröeder say, “The distinction between the sexes is natural and established by God in their creation, and any neglect or violation of that distinction, even in externals, not only leads to impurity, but involves the infraction of the laws of God” (164). Respecting nature is imperative, whether it is the ethical treatment of animals or the dressing of oneself. While the fashion of the late Bronze Age differs radically from 21st Century western culture, the distinction is at least discernible to some degree. This command is more about intent and motivation and not merely about pants and dresses (which would have been foreign to these Israelites anyway).
It was likewise unnatural to plant two types of seed together in a vineyard (9), to plow with an ox and donkey together (10), and to blend materials in clothing (11)(cf. Lev. 19:19). Smith notes, “The purpose may have been to maintain distinctions within the created order. Some think these mixings grew out of some magical background and hence are here forbidden” (Pentateuch, p. 519). Whether or not the Canaanite culture had mystical purposes behind these practices, Israel was to avoid it.
Look out for God’s law (12). The tassel command fits nicely here or anywhere. Remember, these tassels were to remind Israel of God’s commands (Num. 15:37-41). Whenever they looked at the fringe of their garments and saw these tassels, they should be reminded of the Law!
Look out for sexual purity (13-30). Four sexual deviations are dealt with forthrightly in the bulk of the chapter. In summary, they are premarital sex (13-21), adultery (22-24), rape (25-29), and incest (30). The law clearly sets forth how to determine guilt and innocence for both the man and the woman in these instances. If the woman is engaged or married in any of these incidences, then the death penalty was in force. In the case of rape of a virgin, modern sensitivities might react against the apparently light penalty placed on the man. Yet, the law exacts a financial and social penalty on him that would deter such violations (29). God urges sexual purity of this nation and outlines stiff penalties for those who violate His will on the matter. Sexuality is a God-given gift, but it is to be exercised according to His perfect guidance. Deviation meant corruption and societal breakdown. Every society that has ignored His blueprint has tasted such destructive fruit!
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