While Deuteronomy seems to have disjointed laws, there are themes that help us connect seemingly unrelated edicts. Moreover, many of these themes point to the very character of God.
Ensuring a future
- The use of physical punishment should be tempered so that the guilty man is not degraded, for he is a brother (v 3). It seems that the Lord is interested in his integration back into the community.
- The widowed woman is also granted a future. If she has a brother-in-law who is unwilling to provide for her and preserve his brother’s name, he is publicly humiliated for his refusal to do what is right. Thus, his house is ruined as well (vv 5-10). Such a penalty would hinder a relative from forgoing his duty.
- If a man’s future is tied to his ability to have children and to participate with the assembly (v 23:1), then he is protected from loss because of a fight (vv 25:11-12). Like all of these, God is not only interested in short term justice, but He also sees the long term implications.
Fairness
- The ox works hard and should benefit from the work (v 4). This principle is also applied to the church (1 Tim 5:17-18).
- People work hard and should be offered what is agreed upon for their wares. If you deal dishonestly with one another, you will destroy your own community (vv 13-16).
Avenging the weak
- You cannot force a marriage, but the widowed woman is granted justice if her brother-in-law refuses to uphold her dead husband’s name (vv 5-10).
- By attacking weak and fail of
The Lord is very concerned about the weak and the powerless. Even in the previous chapter, we see a list of laws that give rights by preventing exploitation and uplifting the lowly. This is the type of Lord we need – one helps those who cannot help themselves.
