Keeping Thing Spiritually Clean (Deuteronomy 23: 1-18)

For an ad-free version of the podcast plus the opportunity to enjoy hours of exclusive content and two bonus episodes a month and also help keep the Bible Project Daily Podcast free  for listeners everywhere at;
patreon.com/JeremyMcCandless

Subscribe here to receive my new church history podcast every few weeks at.
https://thehistoryofthechristianchurch.buzzsprout.com

Episode Notes: Keeping Things Spiritually Clean (Deuteronomy 23:1-18)

Introduction:

• Moses addresses the need for spiritual cleanliness and the principles of inclusion and exclusion in Deuteronomy 23.
• These guidelines were intended to maintain the holiness of the community and prevent the influence of pagan practices.

Key Points:

1. Exclusion from the Assembly of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:1-8):
   • Certain individuals, such as those with damaged genitalia, those born of forbidden marriages, and male Ammonites and Moabites, were excluded from public worship.
   • The exclusions were symbolic, emphasizing the need for purity and separation from sin.
   • Edomites and Egyptians were allowed to enter the assembly after three generations, highlighting a flexible approach and teaching broader principles.
2. Maintaining Cleanliness in the Military Camp (Deuteronomy 23:9-14):
   • Soldiers were to keep themselves from impurity while encamped against their enemies.
   • Specific instructions were given for dealing with natural biological functions to ensure cleanliness and health.
   • The emphasis was on maintaining holiness and recognizing God's presence among them.
3. Protection for Escaped Slaves (Deuteronomy 23:15-16):
   • Escaped slaves seeking refuge were not to be returned to their masters but allowed to live freely among the Israelites.
   • This command emphasized compassion and protection for the oppressed.
4. Prohibition of Religious Prostitution (Deuteronomy 23:17-18):
   • Israelites were forbidden to engage in or support religious prostitution.
   • Money earned through immoral means was not to be used for offerings to the Lord.
   • This ensured the purity and holiness of their worship practices.

New Testament Connection:

• James 1:20-22, 27 emphasizes the importance of living a pure and righteous life, showing compassion, and being doers of the Word.

As we reflect on Deuteronomy 23, let's remember the principles of spiritual cleanliness and strive to apply them in our daily lives, maintaining holiness and compassion in all we do.

Conclusion: Thank you for joining us on this episode of The  Bible Project Daily Podcast . Stay tuned for more insights as we continue our journey through the book of Deuteronomy. Don't forget to subscribe and share this podcast with others who might benefit from these teachings.

Ask Me Anything | EP. 4 "Faith + Politics"
The podcast where we answer IT ALL! Watch or Stream

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Chapters

• 18:31 [Ad] Ask Me Anything | EP. 4 "Faith + Politics"
• 19:06 (Cont.) Keeping Thing Spiritually Clean (Deuteronomy 23: 1-18)

Transcript

Keeping Things Spirituality clean. (Deuteronomy 23:1-18)

Full Transcript: 

In Hamlet, Shakespeare poses the famous question: "To be or not to be." With all due respect to Shakespeare, I'd like to borrow and modify his line: "To allow or not to allow, that is the question." 

This, I believe captures what Moses is addressing in Deuteronomy 23. Moses is clearly saying that certain things need to be excluded, but there are also things that should not be included.

Moses addresses four more specific situations of exclusion in this chapter, and we will separate these out for discussion as we go through the chapter today.

Welcome….

Let's begin with verse 1:

No one who has been emasculated by crushing or cutting may enter the assembly of the Lord.

(Deuteronomy 23: 1)

The term "assembly of the Lord" refers to a formal gathering of Israel for public worship. Men who had damaged their sexual genitalia were not allowed to participate in these public worship ceremonies.

Please not that this strange exclusion from the public worship service did not prevent an individual from believing in the Lord and receiving eternal life.  Experts say it represents another symbolic call for the people to be whole, pure, and separated unto God. 

Additionally, this exclusion would have been to prevent the influence of pagan practices from Canaanite religions.

The second group to be excluded is mentioned in verse 2:

No one born of a forbidden marriage nor any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation.

Note the language used here carefully, this is not talking about children born to single parent mothers, but those born within forbidden marriages (unions) This likely was those born of incest, adultery, or unions between Israelites and Canaanites. 

The aim was to discourage incest and interfaith marriages between believers and unbelievers.

Verse 3 now addresses the Ammonites and Moabites:

No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the Lord, not even in the tenth generation.

(Deuteronomy 23: 3)

The phrase "to the tenth generation" is a hyperbolic term simply meaning "forever." The reason for their exclusion is their hostility towards Israel during the Exodus and their hiring of Balaam to curse Israel.

As we consider these verses, let's understand that while we are not under the Mosaic law, the principles of holiness, purity, and separation from sin remain vital, but it will be administered in a different way under the New Testament law of grace.

We can still strive to live lives marked by these values, being whole and dedicated to the Lord, without having to have these physical exclusions still applying.

This all goes back to the Israelites coming out of Egypt when they encountered problems with the Ammonites and Moabites, who did not show them hospitality during their time wandering in the wilderness. 

You might even remember how on one of them even hired Balaam to curse them, but the Lord turned that curse into a blessing.

In the Hebrew text, "Ammonites" and "Moabites" are in the masculine gender, meaning male Ammonites and Moabites cannot enter the assembly of the Lord, therefore females can.

This is significant because later we will see Ruth, a Moabitess, was allowed to enter Israel and even marry an Israelite. And n fact will become part of the family line of Jesus the Messiah by doing so.

But because of their hostility toward Israel, male Ammonites and Moabites were not to participate in Israel's public worship in any way.

For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you. However, the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.

(Deuteronomy 23: 4-5)

Verse 6 then states.

You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever.

(Deuteronomy 23: 6)

God commanded Israel never to seek after peace or prosperity with these hostile nations at any time. 

So, the sum so far is, those who were emasculated and the Ammonites and Moabites men were to be excluded from the assembly of the Lord.

Now, look at verse 7:

Do not despise an Edomite, for the Edomites are related to you. Do not despise an Egyptian, because you resided as foreigners in their country.

(Deuteronomy 23: 7)

Despite the exclusion of others, the Edomites and Egyptians were to be treated differently. Edomites were considered brothers because they were descended from Esau, Jacob's brother. The Egyptians, despite having enslaved the Israelites, had also provided them with a place to live.

Verse 8 says closing this opening set of exclusions and including by saying.

The third generation of children born to them may enter the assembly of the Lord.

(Deuteronomy 23: 8)

This means that after three generations, the descendants of Edomites and even the descendants of Egyptians could participate in the assembly of the Lord.

I agree with most commentators who suggest that these with their degree of flexibility in approach to different groups signals that they were intended to teach broader principles. 

For example, eunuchs because were castrated for pagan religious purposes were excluded only because there was a need to emphasize the need for worshipers to be symbolic perfect before God.

To sum up, Deuteronomy 23:1-8 bars various people from entering the assembly of the Lord. However, Edomites and Egyptians were included, highlighting the theme of "to allow or not to allow." 

Moses is laying out guidelines for inclusion and exclusion, teaching that while some are to be excluded, others are to be included.

Now, let's move on to the second situation, which has to do with being in the army and uncleanliness in the camp. Verse 9 states.

When you are encamped against your enemies, keep away from everything impure.

(Deuteronomy 23: 9)

Remember Moses is delivering these laws out within a series of sermons on the east side of the Jordan,  laws they are to obey once they enter the Promised Land. 

One of these laws is that when the army goes out to battle, they are to keep themselves from every impure thing. 

Imagine using this as a devotional text for a military group today. When you're away from home, facing all kinds of temptations, this verse is a simple yet profound reminder: "If you're in the army, be careful and keep yourself from every type of wicked thing." 

But what comes next is particularly interesting. Instead of focusing on sexual immorality, as might be expected, Moses takes a different approach.

Look at verse 10:

If one of your men is unclean because of a nocturnal emission, he is to go outside the camp and stay there. But as evening approaches he is to wash himself, and at sunset he may return to the camp.

(Deuteronomy 23: 10-11)

Here, we're clearly talking about the army and their camp. If a man has as the KJV puts is becomes unclean by some occurrence in the night, he's to go outside the camp until evening, wash with water, and only then return. This is not just referring to the issue of semen as some suggest my reading of it falls in line with those who say it covers all natural forms of human biological function that might need to occur during the night

Next, verse 12: 

“Also you shall have a place outside the camp, where you may go out; and you shall have an implement among your equipment, and when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and turn and cover your refuse.

Essentially, this is saying carry a shovel to dig a hole for using the bathroom and then cover it up. This was a literal practice but also is being used here in a symbolic way, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness and separation from what is unclean.

The Israelites regarded human waste products as rightly unclean. One bible commentator I read on this pointed out that much of the information in ancient medical texts was hazardous, such as using donkey faeces to treat splinters. 

The Bible's instructions often went against contemporary practices and in the light of history have been shown to align with what modern science would later confirm.

For example, God told Abraham to circumcise Isaac on the eighth day. We now know that blood clotting factors, particularly vitamin K, peak on the eighth day, making it the optimal time for such a procedure. 

This along with many other example demonstrates God's wisdom in providing sanitary and health-conscious instructions, symbolically teaching separation from uncleanness.

These verses in Deuteronomy not only provided practical guidelines for cleanliness and health but also taught the Israelites about holiness and separation from impurity.

God’s instructions here are that each soldier was required to carry a shovel with his weapon for the sanctification and sanitation of the camp. All excrement was to be covered immediately with dirt. 

One commentator noted that if armies throughout history had followed this simple regulation, they would have avoided many plagues that devasted them right up until the early 20th century. Isn't that fascinating?

Now, let's move to the next verse, verse 14, which starts with the word "for." How many times have I mentioned that when you see "for" at the beginning of a sentence, it means the writer is about to explain or illustrate what was just said? Here, Moses explains why they should cover their excrement:

For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore, your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you and turn away from you.

(Deuteronomy 23: 14)

I've mentioned that these instructions are symbolic. God wanted the Israelites to be holy and separated unto Him, and this cleanliness was a symbol of that separation. 

It wasn't just about sanitation; it was about recognizing God's presence among them and maintaining holiness.

One author put it well: Deuteronomy 23:9-14 focuses on the purity of the military camp. While nocturnal emissions and burying excrement aren't moral issues, they rendered a person ceremonially unclean.

By obeying these regulations, Israelite soldiers were reminded of God's holiness and omnipresence, even in their most private moments.

Verse 14 emphasizes that God walks in their midst, so they should be holy all the time. This statement underscores for me the importance of being aware of the Lord's holiness and omnipresence at all times.

Let's pause and reiterate a crucial point: the commands in this passage are ceremonial and symbolic, but they also offer practical benefits. 

Dr. Short, an English professor of surgery, noted that waterborne and airborne diseases like dysentery plagued armies more than stationary populations. He pointed out that effective precautions were only put into practice during the Great War of 1914-1918. 

Yet, remedies had been available in the Bible for centuries, had generals bothered to read it.

There are benefits to obeying scripture beyond the obvious. 

Consider this: if you lived by the teachings of jany book in the New Testament, what would happen? The Bible aims to guide you toward Christ-like spiritual maturity. If you followed Ephesians, for example, it promises growth to Christ-like maturity in chapter 4, you'd experience more than just spiritual benefits.

Living by the teachings of Ephesians, or any other scripture, brings emotional, mental, and psychological benefits. Imagine living according to Ephesians guide you toward a balanced, peaceful life. 

There are profound benefits to simply doing what the Lord says.

So, there were benefits beyond anything that was even stated or implied in what Moses was telling these people to do. 

Alright, I said I was going to mention four situations. So far, we've looked at two: the assembly and the army camp. Now, let's look at a third situation. 

Verse 15, and remember, the whole point is about whether to allow or not to allow. We just talked about not allowing certain things in the camp. 

Now let's talk about allowing something….

Verse 15 says.

You shall not give back to his master the slave who has escaped from his master to you. He may dwell with you in your midst, in the place which he chooses within one of your gates, where it seems best to him; you shall not oppress him.

(Deuteronomy 22: 15-16))

Most scholars believe this refers to a non-Israelite slave who has fled from a Canaanite master and sought refuge with an Israelite. Should you allow him to stay, or should you not allow him? 

Remember, the theme of these verses is about inclusion and exclusion. Moses says, "Do not send him back; keep him." In fact, verse 16 elaborates, "He may live with you wherever he chooses best to him and do not act unfairly against him in any way. The Israelites were always commanded to show compassion to the oppressed, and no different here.

So far, we've discussed exclusions to maintain holiness, but now we see an example of inclusion driven by compassion. The Israelites were to keep and protect those who had been mistreated.

One commentator I read noted that returning a slave back to his master was a common practice at that time. Treaties in the ancient Near East included provisions for returning escaped slaves.  However, this law reminded Israel that their primary treaty was with the Lord, not with other nations. It expect it also reminded them of their own history as former slaves in Egypt. 

The point is clear: if you see a slave who has been mistreated, do not send him back; keep him. 

Therefore, to allow or not to allow had a moral component and it depended on the situation.

Now, let's look at the fourth situation, starting in verse 17:

No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine-prostitute. You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the Lord your God to pay any vow, because the Lord your God detests them both.

(Deuteronomy 23: 17-18)

This refers to religious prostitution. In the ancient world, prostitution was often part of pagan religious practices. In Corinth, Greece, at that time there was a pagan temple with 1,000 prostitutes working there. Participating in religious worship in ancient time often meant engaging in prostitution with woman who had no choice in the matter. This practice was also common in other places.

But verse 17 explicitly forbids any form of ritual prostitution among the Israelites: They were not to allow their sons and daughters to become religious prostitutes. Commentators agree that this was common in Canaan, just as it was in Corinth. This prohibition aimed to prevent the Israelites from adopting foreign religious practices and to keep their worship pure.

The Israelites' history is filled with examples of failing to obey this command, leading to their contamination by temple prostitution.

However please not there is a wider shift of focus here from ritual prostitution to prostitution in general including male prostitution. So the offence we call in the UK of that of “living of immoral earnings (pimping) is also outlawed her

Using money earned through sinful means to pay for a vow was particularly unacceptable.

So, we see here that the commands given are not only for ceremonial and symbolic reasons but also have practical and moral implications. The Israelites nation were to be distinct in their practices, maintaining purity and holiness in their worship and daily lives.

Any insincere and hypocritical actions are detestable to the Lord. In this context money gained from prostitution is to be excluded from God’s society and should not be used to give to the Lord. 

To understand the overall message here, let's revisit the initial question: to allow or not to allow? We've examined four situations so far:

·         Assembly/Community of faith: Certain groups were barred from entering the assembly of the Lord, such as the emasculated, those of illegitimate birth, the Ammonites, the Moabites, and ritual prostitutes.

·         Military Camps: Uncleanliness was to be eliminated from the camp.

·         Returning Slaves: Escaped slaves were to be accepted and not oppressed.

·         Religious Prostitution: Ritual and prostitution in general was forbidden, and money earned from prostitution was not to be used for offerings to the Lord.

These points illustrate the principles of maintaining holiness and showing compassion to the oppressed. The Lord wanted His people to be holy and he wants them and to be compassionate toward those in need.

Let's break down the lessons from this passage into three simple principles

1.     We are called to eliminate uncleanliness: This includes unclean people. The New Testament echoes this with church discipline (1 Corinthians 5:33) and personal conduct (1 Corinthians 15:33). Bad company will ruin good habits, among good people, so separate yourself from uncleanliness.

2.     Be Holy: Verse 14 emphasizes being set apart for the Lord because He wants to walk with us but to allow this to happen it will always involve obedience to His commands.

3.     Be Compassionate: Show compassion to those who are oppressed, as seen in the treatment of escaped slaves and prohibitions against exploiting vulnerable individuals.

These principles can be summarized as loving the Lord your God and loving your neighbour as yourself.

To conclude, let's me quote for you a New Testament illustration in James 1. Verse 20 where it states

Human wrath does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

Verse 21 follows with.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Verse 22then emphasizes that we are to be

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Lastly, verse 27 encapsulates the call to compassion:

The type of religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

This teaches us to maintain purity, righteousness, and compassion.

There are things we should never allow in our lives, such as sin and wickedness, and things we should include, such as obedience to the Lord, holiness, and compassion for those in need…..