As I read about the laws that God’s commanded the Israelites to follow it becomes a little bit overwhelming. In the first half of Deuteronomy 21 we find out what happens when a man is found struck dead in the middle of nowhere. It never crossed my mind to wonder what happens in this instance. I find it interesting that the city that is closest to the body is the one who makes atonement for the innocent blood that was shed. All of the necessary sacrifice is overwhelming to think about and it makes me thankful for Jesus Christ’s sacrifice. Did the people of Israel long for a better way? I wonder if prophets were already foretelling of a coming Messiah.
So I have a question about the rest of chapter 21. Why does the woman who is taken captive in battle have shave her head and cut her nails as she mourns the loss of her mother and father before she is taken as a wife? It seems a little weird to look at someone being taken into slavery and then taken for a wife. Was this normal? Is the head shaving and nail trimming a sign of submission to the people of Israel? Does this signify the woman leaving her past and taking a new future?
Common sense sundry and morality laws are repeated by Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 22. It is true what Jesus Christ said that the law can be summed up by loving God and loving people. If the people loved God and love their neighbor they would adhere to the laws given you would seek to help those in need around you. The morality laws God has Moses repeat in chapter 22 concern men and women having sex outside of marriage. Many different cases are given but it all comes down to purging the evil out of the people. God desired for the Israelites to be set apart from the inhabitants around them and when they obey God’s commands they will show their love for God.
