Deuteronomy 21
THIS chapter contains some more rules for the children of Israel to follow after they would get into their land, and in that way God’s care is shown over His people, and His determination that the land of His people should be kept clean of wrong-doing in every form. As the Lord Jesus said, speaking of the Old Testament scriptures, “They testify of Me” (John 5:3939Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)), so let us consider our chapter in connection with what He did.
Verses 1-9. Jesus has died, and the guilt of His death is upon the people of Israel (Matthew 27:2525Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. (Matthew 27:25)). When God sets about again to have an earthly people, the rejection to death of His Son will be brought before them; it will be a new generation of Israelites, and they will say (verse 7) “Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it.” Nevertheless, “the city which is next unto the slain man” (verse 3) is Jerusalem, —Israel is concerned. and the only atonement for the willful sin of shedding the blood of Jesus, is that blood itself. So, both the “one found slain” (verse 1). and the heifer (verse 4), typify Christ. The rough valley is this world, and particularly the land of Israel, to which Jesus came down.
Verses 15-17. Israel and the Gentiles have both been chosen in turn, and Israel is at present the forsaken one, but not forever. When repentance comes to Israel, the inheritance will be theirs.
Verses 18-21. Israel is the rebellious son; this is said over and over again in Scripture. And when the dawn of Israel’s great day begins, most of the nation will be more rebellious than ever, and will be given up to worship the man of sin. They represent this stubborn son whom the godly remnant refuses and reject. Death is his portion.
ML 01/25/1925