Day 077- The Bible Recap

Today's reading is Deuteronomy 17-20. Here's what stood out to me:

Death as punishment for idolatry may seem harsh, but idolatry led to so many other sins...multiple wives, pride of life, sacrificing children, etc. But the LORD also provided a safety measure in that there needed to be two witnesses to the incident. This helped prevent false accusations or even misinterpretations.

Being brought in front of their community for a trial and punishment probably helped deter others among them from committing the same sin or at least it would make them stop and think about it first.

It was not the LORD's plan for His people to have a king like the nations around them. He was to be their King. But eventually they do get their wish and until then He set up guidelines and would be the One to choose. The king could not be a foreigner so that pagan rituals and lifestyles didn't infiltrate the people...which brought with them pride and wandering from the LORD.

The "prophet raised up" was most likely referring to Jesus. He was from among them and always spoke of His Father. 18:15-19 The Israelites were to listen to God's prophets because they spoke truth, but also because it prepared them for the ultimate prophet Jesus, whom it was most critical that they believed!

The LORD cared about justice but also for the protection of the innocent. The laws for the manslayer and the requirement of two witnesses were reviewed.

When the Israelites were to go to battle, the question should be asked if they had other things on their mind that would distract them and in turn put their fellow brothers in arms in harm's way. If so, the LORD commanded them to stay home. He wanted them to know His army, no matter how big or small, was always mightier than any army!

When they attacked the cities God gave them as an inheritance, they were to destroy everything...to assure they didn't fall into pagan practices which were abominable to the LORD.