Law and Order

Deut 5:5b-10, Ex 22:20, 23:13, 34:17, Lev 19:4, 26:1, Deut 16:21-22, Deut 17:1-12
 
Deuteronomy 17:2-7, 12 “When you begin living in the towns the Lord your God is giving you, a man or woman among you might do evil in the sight of the Lord your God and violate the covenant. 3 For instance, they might serve other gods or worship the sun, the moon, or any of the stars—the forces of heaven—which I have strictly forbidden. 4 When you hear about it, investigate the matter thoroughly. If it is true that this detestable thing has been done in Israel, 5 then the man or woman who has committed such an evil act must be taken to the gates of the town and stoned to death. 6 But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses. 7 The witnesses must throw the first stones, and then all the people may join in. In this way, you will purge the evil from among you…12 Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the Lord your God must die. In this way you will purge the evil from Israel.
 
THE Chronological Daily Bible summarizes God’s various laws by topic. The12 Scriptures listed for today are primarily about worship. Our passage for today established the pattern of accusing, testifying, and judging lawbreakers. Then it notes in verse 12 that rejecting the verdict was itself a capital crime. The capital offense of idolatry may seem extremely violent to our compromising minds. But the LORD God knew how deadly it is to worship the devil. God’s just laws and the just process were to purge the evil from Israel.
   Yes, God says evil is in the crime. Evil is also ignoring the crime, foregoing its prosecution or rejecting the judgment. Full obedience to all God’s laws is essential to “deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13) Here’s a good lesson for our culture: Just laws justly administered will diminish crime.
   Two or three true witnesses are a key to justice. This reduces the possibility that a false witness will cause an unjust verdict. Note, too, the accusers must be the first ones to throw the stones of execution. A witness cannot simply accuse and then walk away. The LORD established safeguards against a vengeful, hateful person who might falsely accuse.
   Mankind’s lawless nature finds many ways to reject God’s law and order system. Judges are corrupt. Authorities charged to keep the law can be the ones to break the law. We also turn many a blind eye to immoral behavior, allowing sin to corrupt or own lives, families or church.
   In each of the twelve passages we read today is a definite law that instructed Israel on the orderly way to worship. God did this, of course, for their good. Fair and just laws reflect God’s creative order. His provision is for our good. God’s law manifests God’s love to bless our lives.
  
Deuteronomy 6:5 And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6 And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.