Deuteronomy 21 - Justice for the Victim

Chapter 21 has a variety of instructions for us: resolving unsolved murder, marrying a captive, rights of first born, rebellious children, capital crimes. God is sharing with us right responses in difficult situations. The responses often go against our own inclinations that is why it is important for us to have God's view. 

In the unsolved murder case, a sacrifice of a heifer was required. Just because the murder is unsolved doesn't mean that the community doesn't have a responsibility to atone for the crime. The crime cannot be ignored or left unresolved.  

The captive woman is to have a period of mourning the separation from family. Her beauty attributes like hair, nails, and clothing are to be separated from her. She is now part of her captors culture and no longer belongs to her own. Her head shaved, nails cut and dressed as an Israelite. After the period of mourning the man may take her as a wife if he chooses. He is not to treat her as a slave. 

These rules may seem foreign to us ofay, but the concept is one we can apply. God knows our inclinations toward selfishness and to do the easy thing. God calls us to be people of integrity righting wrongs and standing in the gap for the oppressed. 

If we will yield our way to God's we we learn His priorities are for the hearts of people. Ours are for our leisure andarerial benefit until we are guided by God's Spirit. This needs to be a conscious effort on our part because it is not a natural inclination. We need to determine in our hearts to follow God's commands no matter what. Are you willing to commit today?  

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him.