Included in those “statutes and rules” that we are to “be careful to do” (or “obey”) “all the days that (we) live on the earth” that it may “go well w/(us) and (our) children after (us) forever” (12:1, 28) are: 1) the eradication of any and all traces of false religion/theology from our church/homes/lives (“the land the Lord has given us to possess”) (12:2-3, 28-31; e.g. worship songs w/wrong theology), 2) the establishment of worship (or liturgy) that is exactly according to God’s prescription (12:4-27), 3) the preservation of “everything” God has said w/o addition or subtraction (12:32).
Meat is considered a blessing from God (12:15).
The only blood we can ever “eat” is the blood of Christ (12:16, 23-25, 15:23; Gen 9:4; Lev 17:10-14 w/Joh 6:53-57 = Our lives are associated w/the life of the one whose blood we consume [we become “blood brothers”]. To possess blood association w/a dead animal is a curse whereas to be associated w/a dead Christ yields a blessing [since He rose again taking the curse only to Himself – Gal 3:13 w/Rom 4:25 versus Heb 10:3).
The “holy things” – which includes our “tithe” is “due” from us (12:26).
If we are to fully obey God, receive His “mercy” and blessings, and avoid being “devoted” to destruction (i.e. under the “fierceness of His anger”), we must never “pity”, “spare” or “conceal” – but rather condemn (as apostate) and completely distance ourselves, from the lives of those who attempt to draw us into idolatry (insurrection) or insubordination – even if they are our close relatives or friends (13:1-18).
When individuals in the covenant community are suspected of evil/sin – especially the sins of insurrection or insubordination, it is the obligation of: 1) God’s people to reveal it to the elders (13:8, 12 w/17:4a), 2) the elders to investigate (13:14 w/17:4).
God’s people are considered His “sons” (and daughters) (14:1).
If we want to continue being God’s people as well as viewed as His “holy” and “treasured possession”, then religious syncretism is completely forbidden (14:1-21; syncretism = Adding the liturgy [signs, rituals, diets, etc.] or theology of false religions to God’s religion).
The total amount of tithe a person owes to God shall be: 1) required at the end of the year (14:22, 15:20), 2) offered at the place where God has designated His Name to dwell (14:23-25, e.g. the church), 3) used to feast before the Lord w/the covenant community (14:26, 15:19-20), 4) used to support God’s Levites (14:27, 29, e.g. pastors), 5) used to support the poor in the covenant community (14:28-29).
Financial loans given to covenant members (15:7 – “If among you, one of your brothers…”): 1) must not exceed six years (15:1-2, 12, 18), 2) are to be liberally and lovingly given to those in need sufficient to cover their needs (15:3-8, 11), 3) are to forgive all monies the borrower is legitimately unable to repay in the six years (15:9-10; “legitimately” = Laws regarding fraud or negligence would still apply to those who fail to repay for these reasons – Exo 22:9), 4) can be repaid or supplemented w/indentured servant contracts when those in need lack the ability/maturity/integrity to repay the loan (15:12).
Sufficiently providing for the financial needs of the poor/needy in the covenant community is an important part of our obedience to God and receiving His abundant financial blessings (15:4-6, 11).
One of the most important purposes of indentured servant contracts is not only to change irresponsible/immature people into responsible, mature and productive covenant members, but also to provide them with the capital necessary to start a new life (15:13-15).
To condemn all forms of human slavery is to call God wicked since: 1) He condones certain forms of human slavery (15:12-18; See also Exo 21:1-6), 2) He owns human slaves (us!) (15:15; Lev 25:42; Exo 21:7 w/Eph 5:22-27 and 2Co 11:2; Christians are called “doulos”[slave] in the NT – e.g. Rom 6:20-22; 1Ti 2:24).
As in our “forever” slavery to Christ, it requires our: 1) choice/decision (15:16a), 2) love (15:16b), 3) recognition that things are far better as a slave (15:16c), 4) reception of the covenant sign (15:17 – “take an awl and put it through his ear”), 5) identification as our master’s property (15:17 – “door”), 6) permanent association w/our master’s house (15:17 – “door” [of the master’s house]).
The firstborn males w/o blemish among the OC sacred animals that were to be sacrificed to God and feasted on by the people before God (15:19-22) are symbolic of Christ since: 1) He is God’s firstborn male (Heb 1:6), 2) He is w/o blemish (1Pe 1:19), 3) He was sacrificed to God (Heb 9:12, 10:12, 4) We feast on Him before God (Joh 6:53; Mt 26:26-28).
