Faithfulness in the Home: Deuteronomy 22:6-9

Deuteronomy 22:6‑9  •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 9
Listen from:
Deuteronomy 22:6-9
As we go through the chapter we shall see that some of the instructions have a figurative meaning, but we believe it is clear to all that those which are moral have a present application, for God’s moral character never changes.
We learn here that there was to be the tenderest consideration even for a bird. The Lord has given us meat for our food, but we are not to be heartless, and inflict unnecessary suffering upon any of His creatures.
Battlements on the Roof
There are some very important instructions which follow here, and they have needful lessons for us. First, if a man build a house he was to put a battlement, or protection, on the side of the roof, so that no one would be in danger of falling from it. In addition to the care for human life which was necessary, it would show us that we who are parents need to be careful what goes on in our homes. These are instructions about “new homes,” and would show us that it is important to start right. If the young people gather in our homes, let us remember that God holds us, as parents, responsible for what we allow them to do. Things in our homes should not be brought down to the level of the world in its foolishness and entertainment. How many a Christian gathering has become a hindrance rather than a help to our young people, and some have “fallen from thence.” Things were allowed that stumbled and turned them aside, and they have “fallen” into the world. They could not see by our conduct that we were above the level of the world (like the roof in our chapter), and without realizing it, they fell, and today they are living in the world. They have fallen from the position of heavenly men and women altogether.
Eli is a sad example of this. He corrected, but he did not restrain, the evil of his sons, and his whole household came under the judgment of God. Dear Christian, parents, let us not forget or shirk our responsibility in these things. The days are growing darker as the Lord’s coming draws nearer, and the enemy is doing all he can to wreck every Christian home. How much we need grace from above to set up our “battlements,” in these days of radio and television, with all the evil things they bring into so many homes.
Sowing in the Vineyard
After noticing the need of watchfulness as to what is allowed in our homes, we now come to the matter of serving the Lord as typified in the sowing of the vineyard. If our homes are not in order there will be a lack of power as to our service, and undoubtedly that is why the home comes first. Then the children of Israel were told not to sow their vineyard with a mixture of seed. God hates the mixing of things He has made to differ, and we need to watch against these mixtures in spiritual things. We are not left in doubt as to what kind of seed we are to sow for we read in 1 Peter 1:23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” God uses this kind of seed and this only — His own Word — for the new birth of a soul. If we are going to work in His vineyard in a way that is acceptable to Him, let us be sure we do not use a “mixture of seeds.” Let us “preach the Word” 2 Timothy 4:2, and especially in a day like this. As we look around in Christendom we cannot help but feel keenly the sad mixture of seeds that is being used.
Further Meditations
1. What did Israelites need to build on their roofs, and why?
2. What does it mean to sow a mixture of seeds? Why does God hate the mixing of things He made different?
3. In the Audio book Living Wholly for God, J. G. Bellett sweetly presents the need to separate ourselves from every practice, principle and person contrary to Himself. You would find it a soul-searching extension to your study of this passage.