Deuteronomy 24
Deuteronomy 24 contains various laws concerning social justice, particularly in relation to marriage, family relationships, loans, and treatment of the vulnerable in society. These laws reflect God's concern for fairness, compassion, and the protection of the marginalized, especially in issues of marriage, debt, and care for the poor and disadvantaged.
Deuteronomy 24:1 (NKJV)
1 “When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house,”
The law here regulates divorce, allowing a man to divorce his wife if he finds “uncleanness” in her, which implies some moral or legal fault, though the term is vague. The divorce process required a formal certificate, indicating the separation was legal and official. This provision protects the woman from being mistreated without formal recognition of her status.
Deuteronomy 24:2-3 (NKJV)
2 “When she has departed from his house, and goes and becomes another man's wife,
3 if the latter husband detests her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her as his wife,”
These verses deal with a woman who remarries after being divorced. If her second husband divorces her or dies, the law outlines the circumstances that could arise from her second marriage. The repetition of the divorce certificate emphasizes the need for proper legal procedures.
Deuteronomy 24:4 (NKJV)
1 “then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.”
The law prohibits a man from remarrying his former wife after she has been married to someone else. Such an act is called an “abomination,” meaning it would pollute the moral and spiritual integrity of the land. This law serves to preserve the sanctity of marriage and prevent casual or manipulative remarriages.
Deuteronomy 24:5 (NKJV)
5 “When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of the family unit. A newlywed man is given a one-year exemption from military service and other public duties to focus on his marriage. The purpose is to allow time to establish a strong and loving foundation in the marriage, benefiting both the couple and the community.
Deuteronomy 24:6 (NKJV)
6 “No man shall take the lower or the upper millstone in pledge, for he takes one's living in pledge.”
This law forbids taking essential tools like millstones as security for a debt. Millstones were used to grind grain, a basic necessity for sustenance. By protecting a debtor’s livelihood, the law ensures that people are not driven into deeper poverty or starvation due to debt.
Deuteronomy 24:7 (NKJV)
7 “If a man is found kidnapping any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and mistreats him or sells him, then that kidnapper shall die; and you shall put away the evil from among you.”
Kidnapping and enslaving fellow Israelites is strictly prohibited, and the punishment for such a crime is death. This law underscores the value of personal freedom and dignity. The death penalty serves as a deterrent, emphasizing the severity of violating a person’s freedom.
Deuteronomy 24:8-9 (NKJV)
8 “Take heed in an outbreak of leprosy, that you carefully observe and do according to all that the priests, the Levites, shall teach you; just as I commanded them, so you shall be careful to do.
9 Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam on the way when you came out of Egypt!”
These verses stress the importance of following the priests' instructions concerning leprosy, a highly infectious disease. By recalling Miriam’s punishment for her rebellion (Numbers 12), the text warns of the serious consequences of impurity and disobedience to God's law.
Deuteronomy 24:10-11 (NKJV)
10 “When you lend your brother anything, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge.
11 You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge out to you.”
These verses outline respectful behavior when collecting a pledge for a loan. The lender must not invade the borrower’s home but should wait outside, respecting the borrower’s dignity. This law protects the privacy and autonomy of the borrower, promoting fairness and kindness in financial transactions.
Deuteronomy 24:12-13 (NKJV)
12 “And if the man is poor, you shall not keep his pledge overnight.
13 You shall in any case return the pledge to him again when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his own garment and bless you; and it shall be righteousness to you before the Lord your God.”
This law requires the lender to return a poor person’s pledge, such as clothing, by sunset. It ensures that the borrower does not suffer without essential items like a cloak, which would be needed for warmth at night. By doing so, the lender upholds righteousness and receives blessings.
Deuteronomy 24:14-15 (NKJV)
14 “You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether one of your brethren or one of the aliens who is in your land within your gates.
15 Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on it; lest he cry out against you to the Lord, and it be sin to you.”
Employers are commanded to treat their workers fairly, especially those who are poor and reliant on daily wages. Delaying payment could cause significant hardship for them. The law seeks to prevent oppression and ensure that justice is served, with the threat that God will hear the worker’s cry.
Deuteronomy 24:16 (NKJV)
16 “Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin.”
This law establishes individual responsibility for sin, ensuring that justice is not misapplied to innocent family members. Each person is held accountable for their own actions, preventing collective punishment. This principle of justice reflects the fairness and righteousness of God’s law.
Deuteronomy 24:17-18 (NKJV)
17 “You shall not pervert justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow's garment as a pledge.
18 But you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this thing.”
This law reinforces the protection of vulnerable members of society, like foreigners, orphans, and widows, from injustice. God’s people are reminded of their own history of oppression in Egypt, encouraging empathy and fair treatment of others in their community, particularly the marginalized.
Deuteronomy 24:19 (NKJV)
19 “When you reap your harvest in your field, and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”
This law promotes generosity toward the poor by allowing them to glean what was left behind during the harvest. It ensures that society’s most vulnerable are provided for while encouraging those with abundance to share their blessings. God promises to bless those who follow this principle.
Deuteronomy 24:20-22 (NKJV)
20 “When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.
21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not glean it afterward; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow.
22 And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this thing.”
These verses extend the same principle of care and generosity seen in verse 19, applying it to olives and grapes. The law ensures that the poor, orphans, and widows can benefit from the leftover produce. Again, the people are reminded of their past in Egypt, fostering a spirit of compassion and gratitude.