David Pawson

Unlocking the Bible


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for his people when they follow other gods.

      image As a consequence of the First Commandment, asherah poles are specifically forbidden.

      image There are laws about cutting flesh and shaving heads when mourning.

      image If a relative seeks to entice their family away from the worship of God, they must be put to death – there should be no mercy.

      image When attacking idolatrous cities the Israelites are told to kill all the people and burn the city so that it could never be rebuilt.

      image Idolaters are to be stoned on the word of two or three witnesses, one of whom should be responsible for casting the first stone.

      image There is to be one place of worship. All ‘high places’ where the Canaanites worship are to be destroyed.

      image The Israelites are not to enquire about or get interested in other religions. They must shun child sacrifice, which is detestable.

      FALSE SPIRITUALISTS

      image All false prophets, dreamers, and those who ‘follow other gods’ are to be put to death.

      image All forms of spiritualism are punishable by death: consulting the dead, witchcraft, omens, spells, mediums.

      image We are told that a true prophet like Moses will be raised up (a reference to Jesus).

      image When false prophets speak in the name of other gods, or when they speak but the prophecy does not come true, they are to be put to death.

      BLASPHEMY

      image If the name of God is misused, the miscreant must be put to death.

      DEDICATIONS

      image All first-born animals must be dedicated to the Lord.

      TITHING

      image A tenth of all produce is to be set aside. Every three years produce would be passed on for the Levites, aliens, fatherless and widows.

      CONQUEST

      image Baskets of firstfruits are to be offered from any land the Israelites conquer.

      image They are to declare their history when they arrive in the land, recounting their rescue from Egypt.

      image Prayers of thanksgiving are also to be made.

      SABBATH

      image Up until the time of Moses, nobody had a Sabbath. It is a new provision for slaves who have previously worked seven days a week, but who are now given one day a week free from work.

      FEASTS (ALL PILGRIM EVENTS)

      image Passover.

      image Weeks (Pentecost).

      image Tabernacles.

      SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS

      image If there is a murder, and the perpetrator cannot be found, a heifer is to be sacrificed to declare the innocence of the community.

      EXCLUSIONS FROM THE ASSEMBLY

      image Those with mutilated or castrated genitals are excluded from the assembly of the Lord.

      image Children of forbidden unions (up to the tenth generation) are also forbidden to enter.

      image Ammonites and Moabites are explicitly forbidden.

      image Edomites (from the third generation) are permitted to enter.

      VOWS

      image Whatever we vow we must do. Vows are freely made, so should be followed through. If you make a vow to God you must keep it.

      SEPARATION

      image No mixing of seeds is allowed.

      image A donkey and an ox should not be yoked together.

      image Clothes of wool and linen may not be mixed.

      These laws of separation may seem very strange, but they were connected to the old fertility cult which was widespread in the land. The pagans believed that by mixing such things they were producing fertility. God was emphasizing that he gives fertility: they did not need to practise such superstition.

      2. Government

      KING

      There are laws here for a king, even though they were not to have a king for centuries.

      image God is their king – kingship is a concession, not part of his plan.

      image When a king comes to the throne he has to write out the laws of Moses in his own handwriting and read them regularly.

      image The king is instructed not to have many wives, many horses, or much money.

      JUDGES

      image Rules for conducting law courts are given, including provision for a court of appeal. Interestingly, the penalty for contempt of court given here is death.

      image There are also