Readings for today: Deuteronomy 20-23
Many people who read the Bible assume that because every word is “divinely inspired”, it means every verse represents a timeless principle. And that’s why so many of them struggle when they hit a set of chapters like the ones we read today which talk about warfare, slavery, economics, and ritual purity in the ancient world. They can’t conceive of a God who would command the complete annihilation of the population of a city or the harsh punishment for a rebellious child or adultery in a marriage. They can’t comprehend the prohibitions against mixing seeds or plowing with different animals or mixing fibers when making clothing. It seems so strange and foreign to us in the 21st century. However, this is where historical context comes in as well as some general principles around how to not just to read the Bible but understand it.
First, ancient near east laws were commonly presented as “ideals” but the people implementing such laws were given wide discretion in their application. Laws set the moral boundaries for the nation but the judges and elders who were in charge of enforcing the laws often treated them as guiding principles rather than unbending, unyielding legislation. They applied them in a cultural context where the community was far more important than the individual and their goal was to protect and nurture and guide that community so it could flourish.
Second, the biblical authors often used hyperbole, particularly when it came to their military campaigns. This was very common in the ancient world. For example, we know the Israelites did not actually annihilate the Canaanite cities they attacked because later biblical books record those people still living in the land. Many scholars therefore believe, as I do, that what we are reading is a kind of rhetorical device, declaring total victory. We’ve seen similar language in our own time such as when President Bush declared “Mission accomplished” onboard the USS Lincoln.
Third, and this may be the most challenging aspect to get our minds and hearts around, the Bible records a theological and ethical progression as God reveals Himself and His will to His people over time. Because God has given dominion to the creatures made in His image, He is committed to working in and through us to bring about His will on the earth. He works within human systems of science, law, politics, culture, etc. to make Himself known and push us to greater ethical clarity and understanding. It’s why you don’t see God simply come out and abolish slavery though He certainly moderates the practice. For example, the women taken in captivity in battle are treated with much greater compassion in Israel versus the ancient near east nations around them. Furthermore, when you read about protections for runaway slaves, care for widows and orphans, economic fairness, and safeguarding of an inheritance against favoritism; you are beginning to see ethical advances that will eventually lead to Jesus’ own teachings like the Sermon on the Mount.
Don’t be afraid to use AI or Google to help you understand the historical context in which you’re reading. There are lots of resources available online now to help us grow in our understanding of the Scriptures and the God to whom they point.
Readings for tomorrow: Deuteronomy 24-27