Deuteronomy: Lessons to remember as you walk to the Promised Land - Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22:

This chapter is a compilation of a variety of laws, but the majority of them deal with sexual morality. That is something our culture needs to think about. We’ve come a long way from Deuteronomy 22, but maybe it is time to consider the path we’ve taken. Let’s get started on the various laws before we tackle the elephant in the room.

Read Deuteronomy 22:1-12. Make a list of the laws as you read.

Some of these laws make sense, like the law forbidding transvestism. Don’t violate God’s order of creation; man and woman are distinct genders. Or, if someone finds something, they should return it to the owner or, if they don’t know who owns it, keep it until they come looking for it. Another one is to not kill a mother bird and take the eggs because that protects a future food source. Put a fence around a roof to keep people from falling off. Makes sense.

Others don’t make as much sense. Things like don’t plow with an ox and a donkey seem odd to us. This was because the two animals can’t plow a straight line when placed together. Their bodies and abilities are different, which would lead to problems. Mixing wool and linen was associated with pagan worship practices, so this was prohibited.

The law about tassels actually comes from Numbers 15:38-41. These blue tassels were to be placed on their garments to help them remember the LORD and all that He had done for them, as well as remembering all His commandments. He wanted them to remember. Devout Jews still use these tassels on their prayer shawls and garments today. They are called tzizit. I had a Jewish friend who showed me how to make them. We made them as little bracelets to wear on our wrists. This isn’t the proper way to wear them, but having that little blue visual reminder around my wrist was very good for me. That’s exactly what God intended: remember.

Read Deuteronomy 22:13-30.

What is the difference between purity and virginity?

Would you say these laws are more about purity or virginity? Why?

Purity is important to the LORD. Purity of heart. Purity of mind. Purity in our actions. Our lack of purity is the reason Jesus came and died on a cross for us, to forgive us, to cleanse us, to make us pure before our holy God. The Israelites were forced to think about purity all the time. But purity is not something we consider much these days. Perhaps we are too far away from the cross. We take our purity for granted.

Our world is full of sexual impurity. Free love is everywhere. If you feel the urge, satisfy it. That is our mentality. It fills our screens, fogs our eyes, corrodes our minds, and shapes our desires. TV. Movies. Music. Even commercials are sometimes filled with sexual images. And worst of all, pornography. So accessible. So easy. So private. Your thirst is quenched and no one even knows . . . for now.

Our world has worked to tear down laws and expectations of sexual morality. We don’t even know why God put these expectations there in the first place. To keep us from having fun? To make us feel guilty? No. Be certain, God has given us many good things to enjoy in this life, and if something is forbidden, then it will bring us harm in the end. To understand why God expected and protected purity and faithfulness in marriage, we must understand who we are, and what marriage reflects. Let’s start with who we are.

Read Genesis 1:26-28.

In whose image are we created?

What command did God give man and woman?

Let’s be clear. God designed a man and a woman for one another and for procreation. When you consider how He created this union, with its ability to both physically and emotionally connect those two people in the most intimate way, it is clear that God meant for a sexual union to be both pleasurable and uniting. And since we are commanded to do this as husband and wife, it is also beautiful, good, and holy. All you need to do is read Song of Songs. The husband and wife in this book of the Bible truly enjoy one another. Sex is a good gift given to us by our Creator for pure pleasure. It is meant to be enjoyed, but it is a gift reserved for a husband and a wife. Outside of marriage, sex is not pure, not holy.

So we are created in God’s image and He has given us the gift of sex within marriage. What else do we need to know about ourselves?


Read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20.

What does Paul mean when he says, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable?"

The need for food and sex are both physical and could both be considered not preventable. This could be used as an excuse to justify sexual immorality. How does Paul argue against this?

Who does he say the body belongs to? Who is it a member of?

If “two become one flesh” outside of marriage and either of them are Christians, who have they connected Christ to?

When you are a Christian, who are you joined with?

Read 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.

What is your body?

Why is it important to flee sexual immortality?


When you are a Christian, your actions involve more than just yourself. Did you know that? That’s why Paul says, “For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body” (v. 20). Your body is the temple of God. In the days of Deuteronomy, God dwelt with the people in the pillar of cloud and fire. When the temple was built, God’s presence was in the inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies. Priests who entered had to be ceremonial cleansed before they could come into the presence of God. We are on the other side of the cross. We have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, bought with the price of his blood, and the Holy Spirit has descended on His people individually. When you are saved, you are given the Holy Spirit to live within you. He goes with you. You are the temple of God. You are a walking church. Flee from immorality!

As humans, we are created in the image of God, created to be united with our spouse. As Christians, we are the temple of the living God. We are also a reflection. Marriage is a covenant relationship that reflects our relationship with the LORD. What does covenant mean? A covenant is a contract or a promise. It is the way God made His promises to people. For example, He made a covenant with Noah and with mankind to never flood the earth again (Genesis 9:8-14). God made a covenant with Abraham to make him the father of many nations and God promised to be their God (Genesis 17:1-8). God made a covenant with David promising to raise up a ruler from his descendants that will rule forever (2 Samuel 7:12-13). This, of course, is Jesus. God’s covenants are everlasting. He does not back down on a promise.

Marriage is referred to as a covenant with God in many verses including Genesis 31:50, Malachi 2:10-14 and Proverbs 2:17. It is an agreement not meant to be broken. A promise meant to be fulfilled. It is designed to reflect God’s faithfulness to His people as a husband and wife are faithful to one another. But there is another reflection found in marriage.

Read Genesis 2:23-24.

The two are to become __________ flesh.

Read John 17:20-23.

What image does Christ desire for believers to reflect?

Read 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Why are believers called to be holy?

The oneness found in marriage reflects the relationship between the Father and Son and believers. It is a unity that is built on relationship, on love, and it is glorifying to the LORD. We are loved by Him when our identities reflect Christ. He gave his life; we are bought with a price. We have been redeemed. We have been placed in a position of immeasurable grace, have been given permission to dwell in His presence. We’ve been promised a kingdom that isn’t ours, a city we didn’t build. Our bodies are temples of His Holy Spirit, meant to remain pure and holy, meant to honor Him with reverence and worship. As His image bearers, we called to be holy because He is holy. We have been provided for, protected, and sung over by our King. That is who we are in Christ.

If you and I don’t know who we are in Christ, if we don’t intentionally work to remain in this truth, then we will build our identity on the thoughts of the world. These lies will slip in through subtle, constant, repeated messages around us. Like air, we will breathe it in, and it will become part of us. It will shape our hearts and our minds until we are far from Christ . . . so far, we might not even see His truth. Or worse, we might not want it.

God has given us the gift of sex in marriage. It is a good and holy gift. What you do with this gift says a lot about you and your regard for your LORD. How do you show you love Him? You obey. To obey is better than sacrifice. To obey means you love Him more.

Maybe you are single and feel that playing the field will help you find the right Mr. or Mrs. Maybe you are dating and cannot hold back the desire you have. Maybe you are unsatisfied in your marriage and that co-worker is so very attractive to you. Maybe you are in a marriage that just isn’t working. How do you deal with these things? How do you harness your emotions and rein in your desires? You do what Romans 12:1-2 tells you.

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mid, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

You renew your mind. Be in the Word of God – reading, studying, praying. This will cleanse the world from your thoughts and fill your thoughts with His truth. Then be intentional about what you allow in your life, be intentional about your relationships. Live in a way that is acceptable to Him. This in itself is a form of worship. Living this way is good, acceptable, and perfect. It isn’t too late. You can start anew right now for “those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5).

Lesson to Remember: God is a holy God, and as His image bearers, we are called to be holy.

A Way to Walk: As reflections of the image of God, we are to live and walk in a way that is glorifying to Him. Sexual sins, or any sin, defile His holy temple, which is our bodies. We must remember who we are in Christ.