Day 37 Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 18-22

Deuteronomy 18: Regulations on the Levites and Prophets 

[Overview]

After mentioning social leaders such as kings and judges in the previous chapter, this chapter mentions religious leaders such as priests and prophets. First, since the tribe of Levi had no inheritance, he gave them the portions offered by the people and gave them the same treatment in sanctuaries in other regions (verses 1-8). He also told them not to tolerate the shamans and witches of the land of Canaan and not to imitate them (verses 9-14), and revealed that he would raise up a great prophet like Moses in the future (verses 15-19). He also gave orders to kill false prophets (verses 20-22). This chapter is particularly important in that it contains prophecies about the coming Messiah.

In this chapter, Moses explains the portions of the Levites and priests, who had no portions among the tribes of Israel. He also explains their duties and roles once again. Then, he commands them to refrain from idolatry, a message that continues to repeat in the previous chapter. Moses also gives important typological teaching about Jesus Christ when he speaks of “a prophet like me.”

Deuteronomy 19: Rules for Daily Life 

[Overview]

This chapter presents three rules regarding criminal offenses. God instructed that three cities of refuge be established in the land of Canaan for murderers (vv. 1-3). In addition, those who commit accidental murder are to be allowed to escape to these places and preserve their lives, while those who commit intentional murder are to be put to death through trial even if the city of refuge is destroyed (vv. 4-13). This is to prevent the community from being divided through blood retaliation. On the other hand, God prevented people from stealing others’ land through fraud, and He instructed that there must be at least two or three witnesses in a trial and that false witnesses be punished. He also adopted the law of equal retribution for various crimes (vv. 14-21).

Moses, who had mainly taught about worship and faith in God up to chapter 18, now teaches about the people’s social life from this chapter to chapter 25. This chapter discusses regulations regarding refuge and laws regarding relationships with neighbors.

Deuteronomy 20: Rules for Holy War 

[Overview]

This chapter discusses the rules for war that must be observed when war breaks out with foreign nations. God tells Israel to be courageous and believe that God will help and give victory in times of war with foreign nations (verses 1-4). Meanwhile, the rules for those who must be exempted from military service in times of war are revealed (verses 5-9). In the past life, God commanded that peace be first proposed and that only when the enemy refuses it should be struck (verses 10-15). However, God specifically ordered the destruction of all the Canaanites because He was concerned that Israel would be contaminated by their idolatry and corrupt customs. However, God prohibited wanton destruction (verses 16-20).

In the context of the rules for social life, this chapter describes the ethics and rules for war. Now, he is mentioning the things that must be kept in mind in the war with the Canaanites that will soon begin after crossing the Jordan River, and he is informing us of the principles that will become the basic policy for Israel's future wars.

Deuteronomy 21: Laws of Life 

[Overview]

This chapter mentions the rules for dealing with various problems that arise in society and the home. First, it mentions the rules for dealing with various problems that arise when a murdered person is found whose culprit is unknown. First, it mentions the rules for dealing with cases where a murdered person is found whose culprit is unknown (verses 1-9) and the rules for making a female prisoner of war a female child (verses 10-14). Meanwhile, among domestic problems, it stipulates that in the case of polygamy, the eldest son shall have priority in inheritance (verses 15-17) and it commands that a rebellious child who disobeys his parents shall be stoned to death (verses 18-21). Finally, when hanging the body of a criminal on a tree, it is prohibited to leave it overnight and to bury it in the ground within the camp. This is to prevent God's holy land from being defiled by his body (verses 22-23).

Different laws appear in this chapter. It deals with the treatment of murdered bodies, the rules for taking a captive woman as a wife, laws for the eldest son of an unloved wife and a rebellious son, and laws for those who have been executed.

Deuteronomy 22: Observance of Desirable Rules as a Holy Nation 

[Overview]

This chapter deals with the rules regarding the moral laws that the community of Israel must observe. These rules were established for the purpose of the purity that was inevitably required for Israel as a covenant community to be distinguished from foreign nations. When one sees a neighbor in need, one must not turn away but help them without fail, and men and women must wear different clothing and show mercy when dealing with animals (verses 1-12). On the other hand, it provides a stern warning about sexual depravity by establishing rules for handling lawsuits filed by husbands who suspect their wife’s virginity (verses 13-21) and punishment regulations for various sexual crimes (verses 22-30).

Israel is a community of love and purity. In this chapter, God commands the two laws of love for neighbors and purity, which are unique characteristics of Israel compared to other nations. These laws are closely related to the lives of the Israelites and regulate everyday matters.