and say to the elders, "This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard." Sermons
I. PARENTAL AUTHORITY IS TO BE EXERCISED TO THE UTMOST. Father and mother are both to do their best to save their son from being a public disgrace. They are to use the rod, to chasten him, if nothing milder will do. Only after they have prosecuted their parental authority to the last degree are they to seek the public officers. II. GLUTTONY AND DRUNKENNESS ARE TREATED AS CAPITAL OFFENCES UNDER THE THEOCRACY. They are incompatible with membership in God's kingdom. Hence they are deemed worthy of death. Because they are not now so severely visited by public law does not imply that they are less heinous in God's sight than they were then. III. IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE LAST RESORT WHEN PARENTS WOULD BRING FORTH THEIR SON FOR PUBLIC EXECUTION. What a wearying of love and patience there must have been before such a commandment as this would be carried out! The father and mother would bear long before they would bring themselves to make of their child a public infamy. IV. THE EXECUTION OF THE SCAPEGRACE WAS A SOLEMN DEDICATION OF HIM, BY IMPOSITION OF HANDS, TO DEATH BY STONING. Such a public disgrace must have had a very wholesome effect in deterring reckless children from self-abandonment. We do not hear of any instance of such an execution. Drunkenness and gluttony were not common crimes in Israel. V. IT WOULD SEEM THAT GIBBETING WAS ADDED TO THE STONING, TO EMPHASIZE STILL MORE THE DISGRACE IN SUCH CASES. When this was carried out, it was understood that the gibbeted person was taken down at sundown, so as not to defile the land, and was buried without delay. As accursed of God, the corpse was as soon as possible put out of sight into the tomb. VI. IT IS INSTRUCTIVE TO THINK OF JESUS CHRIST BEING EXPOSED TO JUST SUCH A PUBLIC INFAMY. He was made a curse for us. He was hanged on a tree, gibbeted as a malefactor. What love led him to place himself in such a position! The authorities took him, and in his Father's and mother's presence they did him to death, as if he bad been a disobedient and disgraceful Son. Thus did he deliver us from the curse of the Law. We receive honor because he accepted shame. The "holy Child Jesus" was nailed to the cross, was suspended on a tree, as if he were accursed of God. May we all profit by his voluntary humiliation, and imitate him as the holy, consecrated Child! - R.M.E.
If one be found slain. "This narrative," says one, "sets forth the preciousness of human life in the sight of God." Dr. Jamieson believes this singular statute concerning homicide is far superior to what is found in the criminal code of any other ancient nation, and is undoubtedly the origin or germ of the modern coroners' inquests.I. DISCOVERED IN THE LOSS OF ONE MAN. Only one missing! But God counts men as well as stars, and "gathers one by one." Ancient philosophy and modern socialism overlook personality, and legislate for men in a mass. The individual exists only for the race, has no rights, and becomes a tool or slave of society. Christianity does not belittle man, but recognises and renews individuals, exalts them to responsibility, and appeals to them for right. "Adam, where art thou?" II. DISCOVERED IN THE INJURY TO ONE MAN. One man was missing, but he was murdered. His blood, like that of Abel, Was crying for justice. Society was wounded in one of its members. An inquiry was demanded, and the reproach must be wiped away. III. DISCOVERED IN THE INTEREST WHICH THE COMMUNITY SHOULD TAKE IN ONE MAN. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Formerly heavy fines were inflicted on districts to prevent the murder of Danes and Normans by exasperated Englishmen. We are members one of another; related one to another, and none of us can turn away like Cain. IV. DISCOVERED IN THE PROVISION MADE FOR EVERY MAN'S SALVATION. Christ died for one and for all. It is not the will of God "that one of these little ones should perish." If one sheep goes astray, the ninety and nine are left by the shepherd. He seeks the one that is lost, and its restoration brings greater joy than over all the remainder. "Dost thou believe?" (J. Wolfendale.) I. TO EXPLAIN THE ORDINANCE. In doing this we must notice — 1. Its general design. God intended by this law — (1) (2) 2. Its particular provisions: the victim, the death, the place; the protestations and petitions of the elders. II. TO POINT OUT SOME LESSONS WHICH MAY BE LEARNED FROM IT. 1. The importance of preventing or punishing sin. 2. The comfort of a good conscience. 3. The efficacy of united faith and prayer. (C. Simeon, M. A.) People Levi, MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peorTopics Apostatizing, Attention, Drink, Drunkard, Elders, Gives, Glutton, Hard-hearted, Hearken, Hearkeneth, Hearkening, Obey, Ours, Pleasure, Profligate, Rebellious, Strong, Stubborn, Uncontrolled, Unmanageable, VoiceOutline 1. The Atonement for an Unsolved Murder10. The usage of a captive taken to wife 15. The firstborn is not to be disinherited upon private affection 18. A rebellious son is to be stoned to death 22. The malefactor must not hang all night on a tree Dictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 21:20 4366 stones Library The Dead ChristIt was not usual to remove bodies from the cross immediately after their death. They were allowed to hang, exposed to the weather, till they rotted and fell to pieces; or they might be torn by birds or beasts; and at last a fire was perhaps kindled beneath the cross to rid the place of the remains. Such was the Roman custom; but among the Jews there was more scrupulosity. In their law there stood this provision: "If a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be put to death, and thou hang … James Stalker—The Trial and Death of Jesus Christ A Condensed Guide for Life Second Great Group of Parables. Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Messiah Suffering and Wounded for Us Mothers, Daughters, and Wives in Israel Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion. The Morning of Good Friday. The Crucifixion. Deuteronomy Links Deuteronomy 21:20 NIVDeuteronomy 21:20 NLT Deuteronomy 21:20 ESV Deuteronomy 21:20 NASB Deuteronomy 21:20 KJV Deuteronomy 21:20 Bible Apps Deuteronomy 21:20 Parallel Deuteronomy 21:20 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 21:20 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 21:20 French Bible Deuteronomy 21:20 German Bible Deuteronomy 21:20 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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