Now we get regulations on divorce. Again we need to remember that this law would give the woman more protection than she would otherwise have in the society of the day.
We also need to note that this is not promoting divorce. As Jesus said, this was given because we are evil. Divorce will happen, it shouldn't, but sometimes it will. There can be contentious debates about divorce, some saying that New Testament teaching allows divorce, but not remarriage. In the society of the time (both here in Deuteronomy, and and New Testament times), it would be assumed that divorce allowed remarriage.
Newly married men were not to go to war. He was to bring happiness to the wife, again the needs of the wife are put first here.
If someone was poor, it was a sin to take away his livelihood. Verses 10-15 show more concern for the poor. People are not to be exploited, but are to be respected. When we treat the poor well it is pleasing to God. Conversely, mistreating the poor can lead to them crying out to God, and He will hear their prayers.
Verse 16 is very important, especially in the context of teaching on "generational sins". Now it is obvious that things are passed down from one generation to the next. We see this genetically, we can also see trends in families, patterns of behaviour repeating themselves. But here we have a very clear statement that each person is responsible for his own actions. In all matters we need to look at the whole of the Bible's teaching, then we are much more likely to get to the truth of a matter.
The chapter closes with more concern for the poor.
Taken in context, and looked at as a whole, the teachings in the Old Testament are remarkably progressive, and indeed in some cases are more "liberal" than our own society. If atheists tell you that the Old Testament teaches unjust and cruel laws they do not know what they are talking about. There is an awful lot we can learn from the Bible.
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