Deuteronomy envisioned Israel's future circumstances after they acquired Canaan as their homeland. In future generations, what explanation should parents give their children when asked, "Why do we do this?" Some answers were inappropriate. Parents were not to answer, "Because God found us deserving." Chapter 7:6-8 made it clear God's love was not based on their deservedness. Nor should parents say, "God gave us this land because of our superior righteousness." Chapter 9:4-6 clearly state God's love was not based on a superior personal or national righteousness.

How were future generations to answer children's questions about why? What explanation were they to give for obedience? Chapter 6:20-25 state the foundation for future explanations. The question: "What is the meaning of what we do?" or, "Why do we do this?"

The answer stood on basic understandings. These understandings formed their answer's foundation. (1) "We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt." (2) "God's mighty hand delivered us from slavery by performing signs and wonders that everyone witnessed." (3) "God delivered us from slavery to keep a promise He made to our ancestors." (4) "The God Who delivered us commanded us to do these things because (a) they are always for our good and (b) they assure our survival."

With those understandings as a foundation, this was the answer: "Observing these commands allow us to be righteous before our God Who delivered us." Righteous? Was their righteousness based on their deservedness? Did their obedience to God's commands and statutes earn His love and favor? Did they obey to place God in their debt? Is that the concept of righteousness? No.

By obeying God's commands they maintained relationship with the God of covenant. They verified their desire to continue in a covenant with God by obeying His commands. Desire was essential if they were to continue in God's covenant. Obedience declared their desire.

Consider chapter 24:10-13. An Israelite made a loan to a poor Israelite. The poor borrower had only his outer garment to use as collateral [security] for the loan. The Israelite who held the poor Israelite's garment as security must return the garment to the poor man each evening. The poor man was to sleep warmed by his garment. Why? "...it will be righteousness for you before the Lord your God." [Also see Daniel 4:27.]

Deuteronomy stressed to Israel that dedication to God changed the way they treated people. Godly character and integrity were based on Israel's surrender to God. Godly character and integrity were expressed in their treatment of others. An Israelite's treatment of a poor Israelite is an example. Read Deuteronomy 15.

1. How often should an Israelite forgive another Israelite of his debts? (verses 1-3)

2. What was the idealistic objective of this command? (verse 4)

3. Did Deuteronomy envision a time when there would be no poor Israelites? (verse 11)

4. Describe the quality of help to be given to a poor Israelite. (verses 7,8)

5. Describe an Israelite's motive when he helped a poor Israelite. (verses 9,10)

6. State two reasons for an Israelite helping a poor Israelite. (verses 9,10)

7. Verses 12-17 were instructions given regarding indentured Israelite servants. A poor Israelite could serve an Israelite master as a indentured servant. [An indentured servant worked as a servant for a specific period of time. After that period, he or she must be freed.] An Israelite servant must be released by an Israelite master after no more than six years of service. Only if the Israelite servant chose to remain a servant to his or her Israelite master could he or she remain. The choice came from the servant's appreciation of his or her Israelite master, not of necessity.
   1. If the servant left, discuss what he or she was to take with him or her (verses 13,14).

   2. Why would a departing Israelite servant leave with generous gifts? (verse 15)

   3. When an Israelite servant chose not to be freed, how was his or her choice to become a permanent servant indicated? (verses 16,17)

Please note the connection between the manner that an Israelite related to God and the manner he related to an Israelite servant. Why observe these practices? Such treatment of servants certainly was not common.

The master came from slaves. God delivered his ancestors from slavery. God freed Israel. If he respected the God who freed Israel, he freed an Israelite servant. If he was unwilling to free and help an Israelite servant, he could not be righteous before the God who freed Israel from slavery. Character and integrity demanded that God's actions determine the Israelites' actions.

Link to Teacher's Guide Lesson 3

Copyright © 2002
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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