Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 20-22
20:13-18 Footnote:
"Put to the sword" means to kill. How could a merciful and just God order the destruction of entire population centers? He did this to protect his people from idol worship, which was certain to bring ruin to Israel (20:18). In fact, because Israel did not completely destroy these evil people as God commanded, Israel was constantly oppressed by them and experienced greater bloodshed and destruction than if they had followed God's instructions in the first place.
2:8-11 Footnote:
These are practical laws, helpful for establishing good habits for everyday living.
Verse 8: Since people used their flat roofs as porches, a guardrail was a wise safety precaution.
Verse 9: If you plant two different crops side by side, one of them will not survive, since the stronger, taller one will block the sunlight and take most of the vital nutrients from the soil.
Verse 10: A donkey and an ox, due to differences in strength and size, cannot pull a plow evenly.
Verse 11: Two different kinds of thread wear unevenly and wash differently. Combining them reduces the life of the garment.
Don't think of God's laws as arbitrary restrictions. Look for the reasons behind the laws. They are not made just to teach or restrict, but also to protect.
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All footnotes taken from the Life Application Study Bible, NIV.
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