Day 358: Think of others – Deuteronomy 22 vs 1 – 12

1-4 “If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; make sure you return it to your brother.  If your brother does not live near you or you don’t know him, you are to bring the animal to your home to remain with you until your brother comes looking for it; then you can return it to him. Do the same for his donkey, his garment, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it.  If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen down on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.

5 “A woman is not to wear male clothing, and a man is not to put on a woman’s garment, for everyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord  your God. 6-7 “If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs, either in a tree or on the ground along the road, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. You may take the young for yourself, but be sure to let the mother go free, so that you may prosper and live long.  8 If you build a new house, make a railing around your roof, so that you don’t bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it. 

9-11 Do not plant your vineyard with two types of seed; otherwise, the entire harvest, both the crop you plant and the produce of the vineyard, will be defiled. Do not plough with an ox and a donkey together. Do not wear clothes made of both wool and linen.  12  Make tassels on the four corners of the outer garment you wear. Deuteronomy 22:1-12 Holmans Christian Standard Bible

What were verses 1-4 teaching the Israelites?

It was surely that they were to show the same care for others as they would do for themselves. Notice how if they saw a needy situation they were not to ignore it. Sometimes we are just 'to busy' or 'don't have the time' to get involved in someone else’s problem. A sad example of that attitude was Cain's reply to God when asked where his brother was. Cain said: “I don’t know. Is it my job to take care of my brother?” (Genesis 4:9) Yes, God wants us to look out for the needs of one another. Jesus' story of a Samaritan who stopped to help a Jew who’d been left for dead by robbers is the sort of response God looks for.

Verse 5 jumps to another subject, and one which is a 'hot topic' in the West today. God gave Israel a standard. Men are not to try and be women, and women to try and be men. This doesn't mean women can't do some manly jobs, or men can't have a softer side – but it forbids trying to be the opposite gender to that which you were born.

Verse 6-7, in a way, call both men and women to have a gentle and compassionate side. If someone took only the mother bird, the chicks would be helpless. If everyone took mother and chicks the species could become extinct. It's a call to thoughtfulness in the way we use God's creation. We are not to wreak havoc on nature.

What would be a modern day application for vs 8?

I’d say it is to follow sensible 'health and safety' legislation. It goes back to the question 'am I my brother's keeper?'. Yes - we must look out for the well being of others. If I drive a vehicle knowing it’s not in a road worthy condition it would be a selfish act and not showing love for others.

Verses 9-11 may have been intended more as reminders of the principle of separation. They were to come out from the nations and not mingle pagan ways with God's ways. That call is just as true for Christians. My reason for saying that is because vs 12 then speaks of the 'tassels' they were to put on their garments. In Numbers 15:37-39 the Lord said to them: “Tie several pieces of thread together and attach them to the corners of your clothes. Put a blue thread in each one of these tassels. Wear them from now on. You will have these tassels to look at to remind you of all the Lord’s commands. Then you will obey them and not be disloyal by following what your bodies and eyes want.”

God's laws lead the Israelites to think not just of themselves, but of their neighbours too. So too Philippians 2:4-5 says to Christians: “Don't be interested only in your own life - but be interested in the lives of others. In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”