Deuteronomy 22
Fifteen laws are given in this text. The translators divided these into eight sundry laws and seven moral laws. Sundry simply means, various kinds. However, I do not believe that these are various kinds, but are derived from one principle, The law of Christ, (Gal 6:2) “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” (Rom 13:8, NASB)
All the laws in this text are about treating people right and not acting like what you are not. Not only were the sons of Israel to always to do right by their neighbor but they were to do right by the created things as well. When building a house, they were commanded to put a protective wall on the edge of the roof to keep people from falling off.
Men are not women and women are not men. They were commanded to not sow their vineyards with two kinds of seeds, or plow with two kinds of animals yoked together, or wear a garment of mixed fabrics.
The Lord God made us different, to complement one another in marriage. Things were to be used for their designed purpose, and should not be merged together. All people, and all things have value, but all do not have the same purpose. Men were created to act like men and women were created to act like women. The only time that two different things were to be yoked together, is a man and women in marriage.
What is sin? Sin is lawlessness. (1 Jn 3:4) “Lawlessness: a state of disorder due to a disregard of the law.” (NOAD) Sin is stepping over the boundaries put in place by the creator. The apostle Paul said, “Where there is no law, there also is no violation.” (Rom 4:15 NASB) The law is good, but it is man who is evil. (Rom 7:12-13) Adam and Eve thought that God was holding something back from them; therefore, they desired the forbidden fruit, and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They sinned, and death resulted, and so spread to all of their children. (Rom 5:12) The law is our boundary, and meant for our good, and the good of our neighbors.
