Year 7, Day 170: Deuteronomy 19

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Deuteronomy 19 is a very interesting legal chapter.  We have disconnected laws.  They are nonetheless important.

First, we have the old laws about the manslayer.  I spoke about these back when we first heard them given in the Law.  As I read through this law in the context of today’s reading, what I was struck with was the difference between intentional versus unintentional sin.  Keep in mind, both have consequences.  Unintentional sin is still sin, and manslaughter is about as big of an unintentional sin as you can get.  Manslaughter still had dire consequences.  But manslaughter is absolutely different from murder.  One is premeditated with anger, the other is death by a mistake or thoughtlessness.  God truly desires to illustrate that sin has consequences, but not all sin carries the same consequence.

Next, we have the short laws on moving property boundaries.  Again, I think that we have a similar theme.  The thing about moving property boundaries is that it is deceptive and subtle.  It is certainly sin – stealing land is not yours.  But what makes it deplorable is that it is a sign that is committed in the shadows.  It is a sin of deception.  It is a sin that tries to get the better of another without the other realizing what is going on.  Mistakes happen.  But this is not mistake.  This is sin in the shadows.

Last, we have the law against the witnesses.  First of all, notice that one witness does not satisfy the Law.  From my experience with humanity, I think this is a good thing.  I have seen far too many people lie about a witness to get themselves or a friend off of the hook.  Granted, two witnesses can lie just as much as one.  But it takes more effort to get two witnesses to corroborate well.

However, what I find absolutely fascinating about this particular law is that we once more have a focus on intention of the sin.  A false witness is to be punished by the same punishment that was desired for the falsely accused!  In other words, a person who brings a fake case against another person would receive the punishment they sought for the other!  I personally think that this is a phenomenal idea.  There should be a punishment for wasting the court’s time and for damaging the character of an innocent person!  As we have seen, there should be punishment for all wrongdoing – people who do wrong and people who falsely accuse others alike!

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