Deuteronomy 23 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

Deuteronomy 23 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Moses’ speech, recorded in the opening chapters of Deuteronomy, occurred immediately following the Israelites’ 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.  

• The Israelites were in the wilderness from approximately 1490-1450 B.C.

• The Book of Deuteronomy opens on the 1st day of the 11th month in the 40th year (Deu 1:3) following the Israelites departure from Egypt (approximately 1450 B.C.).

CHARACTERS:

• Israelites (Hebrews) – The descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God granted them freedom after several hundred years in slavery in Egypt. Leading up to the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites had spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness as they made their way to Canaan, the land God promised to give them as a home.

• Moses – Moses was selected by God to lead the Israelites to Canaan. God spoke directly to Moses and Moses communicated God’s words and laws to the people.    

WHERE:

• Deuteronomy 1:5 tells us Moses spoke the words recorded in Deuteronomy while in Moab, probably on the plains of Moab near Pisgah (Numbers 22:1).

OUTLINE:

• EXCLUSION FROM THE ASSEMBLY OF THE LORD (23:1-8):

  • Certain individuals with deformities, injuries, and ancestries were excluded from the “assembly of the Lord.”

  • These individuals included men with crushed or cut off genitals, those born from “forbidden unions,” Ammonites, and Moabites.

  • The Israelites were to treat Edomites and Egyptians as friends, the Edomites because they were their relatives, and the Egyptians because Israel lived in their land.

  • Edomites and Egyptians could enter the assembly of the Lord after 3 generations.

• KEEPING THE WAR CAMP HOLY (23:9-14):

  • When the Israelites went to war and set up camp, the area was to be kept from uncleanliness and unholiness.  

  • Moses said this was because God was present with them to give them victory over their enemies.

  • If a man had a “nocturnal emission” he was to go outside the camp until evening.

  • Each Israelite was to have a small shovel to be used to cover their excrement when they went to the bathroom outside the camp.

• VARIOUS LAWS AND COMMANDS (23:15-25):

  • If a runaway slave fled to Israel for refuge, the Israelites were not required to return him/her to their foreign master.

  • Israelites were forbidden to become “cult prostitutes.” Prostitution was a common part of the religious observances of pagan nations.

  • Wages made from prostitution were not to be given to God to fulfil a vow or as a sacrifice.

  • Israelites could not charge each other interest.

  • If a person made a vow to God, they were to fulfil it quickly.

  • If walking through a neighbor’s vineyard, a person could eat grapes, but they were not allowed to bring a bag to collect them in bulk.

  • If walking through a neighbor’s grain field, a person could eat the ears of grain, but they weren’t allowed harvest their neighbor’s crops with a sickle.

APPLICATION:

• God cares about more than just the Sunday morning worship assembly.

• God’s laws to the Israelites touched every aspect of their lives.

• The same is true of God’s instructions to modern believers.

• Don’t fall into the trap of thinking God only cares about the way we worship, what we do as a collective Church, and our attendance score card for Sunday mornings.

• True discipleship to Jesus and a proper keeping of His instructions should affect every part and every day of your life.