Bible Study                                     Notes 1999

13 April 1999

Text:  Deuteronomy 20

MISCELLANEOUS LAWS

WARFARE   (Deut 20)

1.   When The Enemy Forces Are Far Superior   Deut 20:1-4

a)   The role of the priests to bring words of encouragement to the people   Deut 20:3

b)   A special reminder that God "goes with you... to fight for you...

      to save ..."   Deut 20:4  (Neh 4:14)

2.   Exemption From Military Service

a)   Those who have a new house   Deut 20:5

b)   Those who have planted a vineyard   Deut 20:6

c)   Those who are engaged to be married   Deut 20:7

d)   Those who are fearful   Deut 20:8

3.      Organisation Of The Army   Deut 20:9-15

a)   Army to be organised   Deut 20:9

b)   Offer of peace as the first option   Deut 20:10-11

c)   Where war is inevitable   Deut 20:12

d)   Only males (soldiers in this context) are to be killed (casualties of war) Deut 20:13

e)   Concerning spoils of war   Deut 20:14-15

NB. These rules of war pertain to those who live "very far from you" and  

       are NOT applicable to those who live in Canaan at this point of time

4.   War Against The Canaanites   Deut 20:16-20

a)   Destruction of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites in obedience to God's command   Deut 20:17

b)   Evil influences to be exterminated   Deut 20:18

c)   Care for the environment even in warfare   Deut 20:19-20   (wanton destruction of fruit trees for instance, forbidden)

5.   Spoils Of War - An Addendum   Deut 21:10-14

a)   Female captives allowed to be taken as wives   Deut 21:10-11

b)   Period mourning for wife to grieve over her loss of family  

      Deut 21:12-13

c)   Marriage takes place

d)   But if marriage does not work out... she is to be released as a FREED person    Deut 21:14

6.   Special Laws Concerning Trying Cases Involving Murder  

      Deut 21:1-9

a)   In the case of murder where the murderer is not known   Deut 21:1

b)   Prayer for God's forgiveness   Deut 21:2-9

7.   The Right Of The Firstborn (Even In Multiple Marriages)  

      Deut 21:15-17

a)   Inheritance laws with reference to the firstborn   Deut 21:15-17

b)   A double portion - the right of the firstborn

8.   The Problem Of Rebellious Children   Deut 21:18-21

a)   Chastening to be done   Deut 21:18

b)   Recalcitrant children to be punished by the community (court of law)   Deut 21:19-21

9.   Hanging Offences   Deut 21:22-23

a)   A man may be hanged   Deut 21:22

b)   But his body cannot be hanged overnight   Deut 21:23

10. Lost And Found   Deut 22:1-4

Full care and concern enjoined

11. Morality (Clothing)   Deut 22:5, 11-12

Proper regard and respect

12. Kindness To Animals   Deut 22:6-7, 10

Kindness enjoined

13. Buildings   Deut 22:8

Safety foremost in mind

14. Morality (Marriage)   Deut 22:13-30

a)   High morality

b)   The essence of the law - justice

c)   Danger of abuse (John 8)

The Question Of Capital Punishment

1.   Why it was recommended

2.   The danger of abuse

3.      Appreciation of change from Law to Grace in the New Covenant