Deuteronomy 24
BSB1 If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house. 2 If, after leaving his house, she goes and becomes another man’s wife, 3 and the second man hates her, writes her a certificate of divorce, hands it to her, and sends her away from his house, or if he dies, 4 then the husband who divorced her first may not remarry her after she has been defiled, for that is an abomination to the LORD. You must not bring sin upon the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance. 5 If a man is newly married, he must not be sent to war or be pressed into any duty. For one year he is free to stay at home and bring joy to the wife he has married. 6 Do not take a pair of millstones or even an upper millstone as security for a debt, because that would be taking one’s livelihood as security. 7 If a man is caught kidnapping one of his Israelite brothers, whether he treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. So you must purge the evil from among you. 8 In cases of infectious skin diseases, be careful to diligently follow everything the Levitical priests instruct you. Be careful to do as I have commanded them. 9 Remember what the LORD your God did to Miriam on the journey after you came out of Egypt. 10 When you lend anything to your neighbor, do not enter his house to collect security. 11 You are to stand outside while the man to whom you are lending brings the security out to you. 12 If he is a poor man, you must not go to sleep with the security in your possession; 13 be sure to return it to him by sunset, so that he may sleep in his own cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the LORD your God. 14 Do not oppress a hired hand who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. 15 You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. 16 Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor children for their fathers; each is to die for his own sin. 17 Do not deny justice to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. 18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you from that place. Therefore I am commanding you to do this. 19 If you are harvesting in your field and forget a sheaf there, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat the olives from your trees, you must not go over the branches again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. 21 When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not go over the vines again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. 22 Remember that you were slaves in the land of Egypt. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 24
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Deuteronomy 24
- Themes from Deuteronomy 24
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 24
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Deuteronomy chapter 24 begins by addressing the issue of divorce, stating that a man who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce, and she is then free to marry another man (Deuteronomy 24:1-4). The chapter also discusses the topic of newlyweds, stating that a newly married man is exempt from military service for a year, so he can stay with his wife and bring joy to his wife (Deuteronomy 24:5). Additionally, the chapter touches on the topic of poverty, commanding the Israelites not to charge interest on loans to their fellow Israelites, and to cancel debts every seven years (Deuteronomy 24:6-13, 15-22). The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving slavery and poverty (Deuteronomy 24:14-22).
Context for the Chapter
Deuteronomy chapter 24 is part of the larger narrative of the book of Deuteronomy, which is a series of sermons given by Moses to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The chapter is situated in the section of the book that deals with the Israelites' relationships with one another, including marriage, divorce, and social responsibility. This chapter is also connected to the larger biblical narrative, as it reflects God's character and his concern for the well-being of all people, particularly the poor and marginalized.
Heart Application
As we reflect on Deuteronomy chapter 24, we are reminded of the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery. We are called to consider how we can demonstrate God's love and concern for the well-being of all people, regardless of their social status. We can apply this by being mindful of our actions and attitudes towards those in need, and by seeking to demonstrate kindness and compassion in all our interactions.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Deuteronomy chapter 24 is about how the Israelites should treat each other, especially in situations involving marriage, divorce, and poverty. The chapter emphasizes the importance of kindness and respect, and reminds us that God is concerned for the well-being of all people. As seen in Deuteronomy 24:14-22, we are called to demonstrate God's love and concern for others, particularly those in need.
Voices from the Church
“The law of God is not just a set of rules, but a reflection of his character and his concern for the well-being of all people.”
— John Calvin
“The Bible is clear that God is a God of justice and mercy, and that he is concerned for the well-being of the poor and marginalized.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Outline for Preaching
- Marriage and Divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4) — The chapter begins by addressing the issue of divorce, providing guidelines for the Israelites regarding the treatment of a divorced woman.
- Newlyweds (Deuteronomy 24:5) — The chapter discusses the topic of newlyweds, stating that a newly married man is exempt from military service for a year, so he can stay with his wife and bring joy to his wife.
- Poverty and Slavery (Deuteronomy 24:6-13, 14-22) — The chapter touches on the topics of poverty and slavery, emphasizing God's concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized.
- Kindness and Respect (Deuteronomy 24:14-22) — The chapter highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery.
- Conclusion (Deuteronomy 24:14-22) — The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving slavery and poverty.
Core Doctrines
- God's Character
- Deuteronomy chapter 24 reflects God's character and his concern for the well-being of all people, particularly the poor and marginalized.
- Marriage and Divorce
- The chapter provides guidelines for the Israelites regarding marriage and divorce, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
- Poverty and Slavery
- The chapter touches on the topics of poverty and slavery, emphasizing God's concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized.
- Kindness and Respect
- The chapter highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery.
Lessons from Deuteronomy 24
- The Importance of Kindness — The chapter teaches us that kindness and respect are essential in all our interactions, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery.
- God's Concern for the Poor — The chapter emphasizes God's concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized, and calls us to demonstrate similar concern in our own lives.
- The Value of Marriage — The chapter provides guidelines for the Israelites regarding marriage and divorce, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
- The Dangers of Poverty and Slavery — The chapter touches on the topics of poverty and slavery, emphasizing the importance of working to alleviate these issues in our own communities.
- The Importance of Respect — The chapter highlights the importance of treating others with respect, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery.
Themes from Deuteronomy 24
- God's Character — The chapter reflects God's character and his concern for the well-being of all people, particularly the poor and marginalized.
- Kindness and Respect — The chapter highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery.
- Marriage and Divorce — The chapter provides guidelines for the Israelites regarding marriage and divorce, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect.
- Poverty and Slavery — The chapter touches on the topics of poverty and slavery, emphasizing God's concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized.
- Social Responsibility — The chapter emphasizes the importance of social responsibility, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery.
Questions for Meditation
- What does Deuteronomy chapter 24 teach us about God's character and his concern for the well-being of all people?
- How can we demonstrate kindness and respect in our interactions with others, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery?
- What does the chapter teach us about the importance of marriage and divorce, and how can we apply these principles in our own lives?
- How can we balance the need to provide for ourselves and our families with the importance of treating others with kindness and respect?
- What does the chapter teach us about the relationship between poverty and slavery, and how can we work to alleviate these issues in our own communities?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. Marriage and Divorce (Deuteronomy 24:1-4)
| Deuteronomy 24:1 | The chapter begins by addressing the issue of divorce, providing guidelines for the Israelites regarding the treatment of a divorced woman. |
| Deuteronomy 24:2 | The woman is then free to marry another man, but the first husband is not allowed to take her back as his wife. |
| Deuteronomy 24:3 | If the second husband divorces her or dies, she is not allowed to return to her first husband. |
| Deuteronomy 24:4 | The first husband is not allowed to take her back as his wife, because she has been defiled. |
2. Newlyweds (Deuteronomy 24:5)
| Deuteronomy 24:5 | A newly married man is exempt from military service for a year, so he can stay with his wife and bring joy to his wife. |
3. Poverty and Slavery (Deuteronomy 24:6-13, 14-22)
| Deuteronomy 24:6 | No one is to take a pair of millstones or an upper millstone as a pledge, because that would be taking a life as a pledge. |
| Deuteronomy 24:7 | If a man is caught kidnapping one of his brothers, an Israelite, and treats him as a slave or sells him, the kidnapper must die. |
| Deuteronomy 24:8 | You must be careful to do everything I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. |
| Deuteronomy 24:9 | Remember what the Lord your God did to Miriam along the way after you came out of Egypt. |
| Deuteronomy 24:10 | When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor, do not go into their house to get what is offered to you as a pledge. |
| Deuteronomy 24:11 | Stay outside and let the man to whom you are making the loan bring the pledge out to you. |
| Deuteronomy 24:12 | If the man is poor, do not go to sleep with his pledge in your possession. |
| Deuteronomy 24:13 | Return his cloak to him by sunset so that he may sleep in his cloak and bless you, and this will be credited to you as righteousness before the Lord your God. |
| Deuteronomy 24:14 | Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien living in one of your towns. |
| Deuteronomy 24:15 | Pay him his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and is counting on it. |
| Deuteronomy 24:16 | Do not punish the children for the sin of the fathers; each man will be put to death for his own sin. |
| Deuteronomy 24:17 | Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. |
| Deuteronomy 24:18 | Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. |
| Deuteronomy 24:19 | That is why I command you to do this. |
| Deuteronomy 24:20 | When you harvest your olives, do not go over the branches a second time. |
| Deuteronomy 24:21 | Leave them for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow. |
| Deuteronomy 24:22 | Remember that you were slaves in Egypt; that is why I command you to do this. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Deuteronomy chapter 24 teach us about marriage and divorce?
The chapter provides guidelines for the Israelites regarding marriage and divorce, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect (Deuteronomy 24:1-4).
How can we demonstrate kindness and respect in our interactions with others, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery?
We can demonstrate kindness and respect by being mindful of our actions and attitudes towards those in need, and by seeking to alleviate poverty and slavery in our own communities (Deuteronomy 24:6-13, 14-22).
What does the chapter teach us about the relationship between poverty and slavery?
The chapter touches on the topics of poverty and slavery, emphasizing God's concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized, and calling us to work to alleviate these issues in our own communities (Deuteronomy 24:6-13, 14-22).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 24:1 → Matthew 5:31-32 | Both Deuteronomy 24:1 and Matthew 5:31-32 address the issue of divorce, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 24:6 → Exodus 22:25-27 | Both Deuteronomy 24:6 and Exodus 22:25-27 emphasize the importance of not taking a millstone as a pledge, as it would be equivalent to taking a life. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 24:10 → Leviticus 25:35-37 | Both Deuteronomy 24:10 and Leviticus 25:35-37 emphasize the importance of not taking advantage of the poor and needy. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 24:14 → James 1:27 | Both Deuteronomy 24:14 and James 1:27 emphasize the importance of caring for the widow and the orphan. |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 24:17 → Isaiah 1:17 | Both Deuteronomy 24:17 and Isaiah 1:17 emphasize the importance of seeking justice and defending the cause of the fatherless and the widow. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 24:19 → Leviticus 19:9-10 | Both Deuteronomy 24:19 and Leviticus 19:9-10 emphasize the importance of leaving some of the harvest for the alien, the fatherless, and the widow. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 24:20 → Ruth 2:2-3 | Both Deuteronomy 24:20 and Ruth 2:2-3 emphasize the importance of allowing the poor to glean in the fields. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 24:21 → Galatians 2:10 | Both Deuteronomy 24:21 and Galatians 2:10 emphasize the importance of remembering the poor and needy. |
| 9 | Deuteronomy 24:22 → 1 John 3:17-18 | Both Deuteronomy 24:22 and 1 John 3:17-18 emphasize the importance of demonstrating love and kindness to those in need. |
| 10 | Deuteronomy 24:1-4 → 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 | Both Deuteronomy 24:1-4 and 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 address the issue of marriage and divorce, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. |
Sermons on Deuteronomy 24
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Blueprint of Your Home by Abner Kauffman | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of studying the Bible to show oneself approved by God. He encourages listeners to not neglect learning about their homes and t |
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(Through the Bible) Deuteronomy 21-25 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses various regulations and laws found in the Bible, specifically in the book of Deuteronomy. These regulations cover topics such as welfare progr |
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(Through the Bible) Jeremiah 3-5 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for people to turn away from worldly distractions and dedicate themselves fully to God and spiritual matters. He quotes from the bo |
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The Insanity of Sin - Part 1 by Joy Dawson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having a clear conscience before God and men. He shares a story about a man who sent telegrams to influential people, caus |
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Ill-Gotten Gain - Part 2 by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the theme of injustice and greed in society. He uses vivid imagery to describe the consequences of employers withholding wages from their wor |
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Parent Abuse Faith Bible Church 28 by Daniel Peters | The sermon transcript discusses the importance of showing proper honor to parents. It is divided into four sections: the security that God provided to the people after the worldwid |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 134 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of waiting on God. He shares his personal experience of being in a season where all invitations and opportunities stopped, and |
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Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind John 9:1-41 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the topic of birth defects and why God allows suffering, using the story of the blind man healed by Jesus to illustrate that physical ailments are not alw |
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Scriptural Teaching on Generational Curses by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the truth from Ezekiel 18 that refutes the misconception of generational curses, clarifying that children do not suffer for the sins of their parents. He high |
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Jesus Teaches About Divorce and Remarriage Matthew 19:1-9 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the topic of divorce and remarriage, exploring the differing views among religious teachers during Jesus' time and Jesus' teachings on the matter. He emph |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Deuteronomy 24
In Deuteronomy chapter 24, we see a continuation of the laws and regulations given to the Israelites. The chapter begins by addressing the issue of divorce, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. The chapter also touches on the topics of poverty and slavery, emphasizing God's concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized. Throughout the chapter, we see a reflection of God's character and his concern for the well-being of all people. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The law of God is not just a set of rules, but a reflection of his character and his concern for the well-being of all people.' The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery. As Henry writes, 'We must be careful to do everything God commands us, and not add to it or take away from it.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
God's Concern for the Poor
Throughout the chapter, we see God's concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized. This is evident in the commands not to charge interest on loans to fellow Israelites and to cancel debts every seven years.
The Importance of Kindness
The chapter emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and respect, particularly in situations involving poverty and slavery. This is seen in the command not to take a millstone as a pledge, as it would be equivalent to taking a life.
The Foreshadowing of Christ's Teaching
In the chapter, we see a foreshadowing of Christ's teaching on divorce and remarriage, as well as his concern for the well-being of the poor and marginalized.