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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 16 May 2025:
Deuteronomy 24:1–4 — “When a man takes a wife and marries her… and she finds no favor in his eyes… and he writes her a certificate of divorce… then her former husband… may not take her again to be his wife…”
This law addresses the aftermath of divorce, specifically preventing a man from remarrying a wife he divorced after she married someone else. While the passage doesn’t promote divorce, it recognizes its reality and regulates it to protect the woman from being treated like disposable property.
Jesus referenced this in Matthew 19:3–9, explaining that Moses permitted divorce “because of the hardness of your hearts,” but “from the beginning it was not so.” God’s ideal is lifelong faithfulness in marriage. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), not because He hates the divorced, but because He loves covenant faithfulness and the security it provides. If you’re married, cherish your spouse and fight for your marriage with prayer, humility, and love. If divorced, pursue healing and wholeness in Christ, who restores the brokenhearted.
– Hebrews 13:4 – “Let marriage be held in honor among all…”
Deuteronomy 24:5 — “When a man is newly married, he shall not go out with the army or be liable for any other public duty. He shall be free at home one year to be happy with his wife whom he has taken.”
God is greatly concerned about the welfare of families and sees marriage as a national security issue. Therefore, He mandated a year of undistracted bonding for newlyweds. This verse reveals God’s tenderness and wisdom—strong marriages form the foundation of strong families and nations. God gives space for intimacy, growth, and joy. Are you intentionally dedicating time, energy, and effort to cultivating and sustaining joy and intimacy into your relationship? Take time to purposefully nurture love and friendship in your marriage, especially early on or after any major life shift.
– Ephesians 5:25–28 – Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the Church.
Deuteronomy 24:6 — “No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.”
God forbids taking away another person’s livelihood. Taking someone’s livelihood as collateral is essentially taking their life. God cares not just about justice, but about mercy. Don’t leverage your position to crush someone’s ability to live securely. The Kingdom of God calls for compassion in business, not just profit margins. In your financial dealings, ask: Am I helping someone flourish, or am I threatening their future?
– Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker.”
Deuteronomy 24:8–9 — “Take care… in cases of leprous disease… remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam…”
This is a call to heed godly instruction regarding health and spiritual purity. Miriam’s leprosy in Numbers 12 was God’s judgment for slander. There’s a deeper message here: sin, like leprosy, contaminates and isolates. Don’t ignore spiritual infection. Confess, repent, and live clean in community.
– 1 John 1:7 – Walk in the light, and the blood of Jesus cleanses us.
Deuteronomy 24:10–13 — “When you make your neighbor a loan of any sort… you shall not go into his house to collect his pledge… you shall restore to him the pledge as the sun sets, that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you…”
These verses teach us to respect the dignity and privacy of others, even when they owe us something. Justice should never become cruelty. God is the defender of the poor. A generous spirit reflects the character of God. Are you more interested in what someone owes you—or in what God has freely given you? God expects you to respect the dignity of others and honor their personal sanctuary. God expects those who depend on His grace to offer the same sort of grace to others as an act of worship to Him, as an act of love to others, and as a testimony to the world Christ’s love. The more it costs you, the greater the value of the gift. Consider the price Jesus paid for your salvation while you were still a sinner. What are you willing to give that others might “see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation”? (1 Peter 2:12)
– Matthew 6:12 – “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
Deuteronomy 24:14–15 — “You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy… You shall give him his wages on the same day… lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin.”
God defends the laborer. He hears the cry of the exploited and holds oppressors accountable. Fair and timely compensation is not optional—it’s a spiritual issue. God is a just employer—and expects His people to be the same. If you’re in leadership or business, honor those who serve you with fairness and respect. Again, as Christ’s image bearers, Christian employers seek to treat employees as Christ would, not just fairly but with genuine love and grace.
– James 5:4 – “The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields… are crying out against you…”
Deuteronomy 24:16 — “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children… everyone shall be put to death for his own sin.”
This reflects personal accountability. Each person stands before God for their own actions. It also protects families from unjust collective punishment. This principle is echoed in Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul who sins shall die.” This principle is fulfilled in Christ, who took on Himself the punishment for others’ sin so that we could live. Only Jesus was righteous enough to bear another’s punishment—and that’s what saves us.
– 2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us…”
Deuteronomy 24:17–18 — “You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless… but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you…”
God constantly reminds His people of their past to shape their present. Mercy should grow from memory—remembering from where we came fuels compassion for others. How are you using your redeemed life to defend and uplift the vulnerable?
– Colossians 3:12–13 – Clothe yourselves with compassion… forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you.
Deuteronomy 24:19–22 — “When you reap your harvest… and forget a sheaf… it shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow… You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt…”
God designed His law to build generosity into the rhythms of life. Fields weren’t to be picked clean—because the poor would be coming behind. This was an early form of social provision, requiring both discipline and empathy. Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz under this very principle—and eventually became the great-grandmother of Jesus. Your harvest isn’t all for you. Leave margin. Share generously.
– 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 – God loves a cheerful giver.
– Ephesians 4:28 – Work, “so that you may have something to share with anyone in need.”
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 16 May 2025: Reflect on Deuteronomy 24:10–13. Are you holding something over someone else’s head—financially, emotionally, or spiritually? Loosen your grip. Return their dignity. Then reconsider verses 19–22. How can you intentionally build generosity into your daily life? Don’t just give from what’s extra—leave room for others in your field.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 