Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth. Deuteronomy 23:23 (Chapters 17-23)
The Law was given to create a culture, a nation. The ancient cultures of Biblical times were primitively organized with dietary habits, dress codes, behavior protocols and procedures. Worshiping/idolatry was certainly at the center of these city-states. God was setting the standards for Holiness to be lived out by His chose people. It is often said, the devil is in the details, but not so here. The Israelites were building from scratch, becoming something from nothing but faith through remembrance of what God had done and what He has promised to the future. The details were to irradiate any misinterpretation or misdirection.
God called His people to be set apart. In chapter 17 God prophesies that Israel will someday insist on an earthly king. While He does not endorse what He knows will come, He does ask to be their decision leader in choosing a just, fair and impartial judiciary, as someday, the Messiah would come from this earthly lineage, revealing God’s message and purpose to all nations.
The community of believers is to be both inclusive and exclusive, marked by purity and Holiness through practical human living. Being people of integrity is important, whether vowing to God or to other people. Our actions directly represent the God we serve. God doesn’t lie, cheat, steal, exploit or compromise, neither can we and call ourselves His own.
Love,
Gretchen