Bible Discussion Thread

This chapter has the verse; amazingly of "loving your neighbor as yourself" (v. 18) from Christ's summarization of the law. This rule applies to the stranger as well (v. (v. 33-34). It also states in the previous verse that we are to "rebuke" our neighbor out of love. It reminds us of the N.T. verse "He scourges every one He loves." There are many exhortations here for behaviors appealing to justice such as not despising the deaf (v. 14); keeping food in the fields for the poor and stranger to glean (v. 8-10); and just measures and weights (v. 36). These are all virtues that improve a society whose individuals are under such a mandate.

The exhortation to fear our mother and father (v. 3) surely raises a valid point as to why the lack thereof results in a society like we have in the U.S. today. As to the second part of the verse and keeping the Sabbath; as the "Son of Man is the Lord of the Sabbath" today ( Matthew 12:8) the family which honors the Lord and teaches their children correctly will set a standard they will not soon forget. Truly, the quote of Billy Graham that "the family that prays together stays together" is an extrabiblical statement that has validity and is worth consideration.

There are other warnings here once again about not worshipping idols; and images (v. 4) and being involved with wizards (v. 31). Various other rituals associated with this are mentioned such as cutting corners of hair (v. 27). Rules about relations with bondmaids and prostituting ones daughter are here as well.

There are other rules about when to eat from fruit trees as well. It is clear that all things are related from that illustration; and seemingly unrelated things such as the bounty of a harvest are tied in with obedience to God with the circumcision analogy of trees 3 years or younger (v. 27). These statutes relate to breeding cattle and clothing not having mixed constituents relate to ceremonial laws of purity to stand in His Presence and live.