Deuteronomy is a constitution for Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. They are to exemplify the holiness of their God as they dwell amid unrighteous nations. Moses is undertaking to further explain life as Yahweh’s people through an exposition of the 10 commandments. In chapters 21-23 we read further teaching on the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 10thcommandments. There are situational examples and subsequent punishments regarding each of those commandments. In many cases, the death penalty is the just result of profane and disobedient behavior amongst Yahweh’s people (see Deut. 21:21).
By now, Israel should understand the severity of sin in the camp of the Lord’s holy nation. One may even deduce that they are meant to feel a sense of hopelessness. Revelation of divine holiness and human depravity is given by God to draw people to Himself (Rom. 5:20-21). For a holy nation to exist amongst an unholy people, they must first understand their depravity, inability, and where holiness truly comes from. In other words, their focus must be on their God.
When we feel hopeless or powerless under the demands of holiness, we must remember that we are not left to those demands in our own strength. Time and time again we are reminded that it is the Lord’s work in us and that He will surely do it. He has provided His Spirit, by whom we are able “by faith to fill our heart with a right consideration of the provision that God has made in the work of Christ for the mortification of sins.”
Finally, remember Paul’s reference to Deut. 21:22-23 in Galatians 3:13, and be at peace with God, knowing your justification was established in Jesus, not the law, and a holy life is also to be found, perfected, and finally accomplished in Him as well.
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
John Owen, The Mortification of Sin, pg. 117, (Banner of Truth)
He demands holiness
Deuteronomy is a constitution for Israel as they prepare to enter the promised land. They are to exemplify the holiness of their God as they dwell amid unrighteous nations. Moses is undertaking to further explain life as Yahweh’s people through an exposition of the 10 commandments. In chapters 21-23 we read further teaching on the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 10thcommandments. There are situational examples and subsequent punishments regarding each of those commandments. In many cases, the death penalty is the just result of profane and disobedient behavior amongst Yahweh’s people (see Deut. 21:21).
By now, Israel should understand the severity of sin in the camp of the Lord’s holy nation. One may even deduce that they are meant to feel a sense of hopelessness. Revelation of divine holiness and human depravity is given by God to draw people to Himself (Rom. 5:20-21). For a holy nation to exist amongst an unholy people, they must first understand their depravity, inability, and where holiness truly comes from. In other words, their focus must be on their God.
When we feel hopeless or powerless under the demands of holiness, we must remember that we are not left to those demands in our own strength. Time and time again we are reminded that it is the Lord’s work in us and that He will surely do it. He has provided His Spirit, by whom we are able “by faith to fill our heart with a right consideration of the provision that God has made in the work of Christ for the mortification of sins.”
Finally, remember Paul’s reference to Deut. 21:22-23 in Galatians 3:13, and be at peace with God, knowing your justification was established in Jesus, not the law, and a holy life is also to be found, perfected, and finally accomplished in Him as well.
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
John Owen, The Mortification of Sin, pg. 117, (Banner of Truth)
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ga 3:13.