This small group Deuteronomy 23 Bible study guide contains commentary, discussion questions, cross-references, and application to encourage life change. Visit our library of inductive Bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the Bible you can use in your small group.
Deuteronomy 23 Bible Study – Keeping Clean and Holy
Outline
I. People excluded from the assembly (1-8)
II. Keeping a clean camp (9-14)
III. Various laws (15-25)
I. People excluded from the assembly (1-8)
Discussion Questions
• What is the “assembly of the Lord?”
• Why are there many restrictions about who can enter it?
• What does this teach us about people?
• What does this teach us about God?
• Who is Balaam and what does he have to do with Israel?
• Is there any way for an unclean person to enter into God’s presence/assembly today? If so, how?
Cross-References
Leviticus 19:2 – Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
2 Corinthians 7:1 – Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Revelation 7:9-12 – After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Restrictions on who can enter the assembly of the Lord (1-8) –
It is likely that the people who read this law would understand immediately what “the assembly of the Lord” referred to. However, the meaning is less clear now, 3500 years later. It could mean an exclusion from religious life, political life, or even citizenship as one member of the congregation of Israel.
It is apparent that those excluded did not have the full rights of citizenship.
God called His people to be a holy and clean nation.
Exodus 19:5-6 – Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
They were not to mix with the Canaanites or allow Canaanite practices into their midst.
Many scholars argue that the assembly of the Lord refers to taking a political office as an elder, officer, or leader. If so, this passage reminds us that God has high standards for those who represent His people.
In New Testament times, elders are also held to a high standard and strict qualifications are listed for their service (1 Timothy 3).
2. Restriction on eunuchs (1) – Eunuchs were not allowed entrance to the assembly of the Lord. That does not mean that they could not be saved or be allowed into God’s spiritual kingdom. It is clear from Isaiah 56 that God accepts any person who sincerely comes to Him in faith.
Isaiah 56:4-7 – For thus says the Lord: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant— these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”
3. Restriction on those born of a forbidden union (2) –
The NASB translates “forbidden union” as “illegitimate birth.” A forbidden union would be any marriage or relationship that is not allowed under the law. Some of these banned relationships include intermarriage with Canaanites, incest, adultery, and fornication. Descendants from these sinful relationships could not be part of the assembly. In other words, full citizenship would not be passed on to the offspring of those who disobeyed the law.
Modern-day countries also have many rules about how citizenship can be passed on, as well as who is qualified to run for public office. For example, in the United States, a person cannot run for president unless he or she is a natural-born citizen and has at least fourteen years of US residency. While most people born in the US will automatically gain citizenship, there are a couple of exceptions. One is that children born of alien enemies who are in a hostile occupation cannot be citizens.
This law was one way that God discouraged these illegitimate relationships. If one knew that a child resulting from this relationship would not be a full-fledged citizen, he might rethink and pursue a legal marriage instead.
4. Restriction on Ammonite and Moabite descendants from entering the assembly of the Lord (3-6) –
Deuteronomy 23:3 – No Ammonite or Moabite may enter the assembly of the Lord. Even to the tenth generation, none of them may enter the assembly of the Lord forever.
The Moabites and Ammonites were descended from Lot and were relatives of the Israelites. Yet they did not welcome Israel but hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 22-24). Thus, these two nationalities were treated more strictly than Edomites and Egyptians.
The most common question in relation to this law is, “What about David?” David was the great-grandson (third generation) of Ruth the Moabite.
We should first note that the meaning of “assembly of the Lord” is not entirely clear in this passage. Therefore it is also not 100% clear whether David was part of it. However, we can assume that as the king and ancestor of Jesus, he likely was.
Why was he allowed to serve as king?
National citizenship was passed from father to children. Joseph had an Egyptian wife, but his sons had full rights as Israelis. Moses married a Midianite woman, but his sons were considered as part of the tribe of Levi, not Midianites. In like manner, Boaz’s son, Obed, though born of Ruth, was Jewish. In addition, Boaz was redeeming Elimelech’s family line. Therefore, Obed received the inheritance rights that would have passed from Elimelech to his sons. Obed had the same legal rights as Elimelech’s son would have.
Orthodox Jews argue that this law in Deuteronomy 23:3 only applies to male Moabites and Ammonites because it was the men who were hostile to Israel and refused to provision them.
We can also consider the purpose behind this law and many others like it. God wanted His people to be pure and holy. He did not want pagan religious practices to infiltrate His people and influence them from within. Here, the specific reason given is that the Moabites and Ammonites refused to provide bread and water for the Jews leaving Egypt.
Ruth had left Moabite religion behind and was totally committed to Yahweh (Ruth 1:16). She was a proselyte who was Jewish in religion and practice.
Is Deuteronomy 23:3 referring to the non-converted pagan Moabite and Ammonite? Or is it referring to every Moabite and Ammonite regardless of their religion? The answer is not clear from the context, but the argument can be made that because Ruth converted to Judaism, she and her descendants would be and should be accepted.
Bible characters are not perfect. Ruth, Boaz, and David were all sinners who at times broke various Old Testament commands. However, God chose David as king and commanded Samuel to anoint him. By looking at this wider context, we can conclude that because God endorsed David as king, this did not violate the law in Deuteronomy 23:3. God is not the author of sin (James 1:13-15). He is the Supreme authority. His interpretation is the most weighty of all and God chose to allow it.
5. God is holy – God is holy and people are not. No man, woman, or child has the right or the holiness required to enter into His presence or be part of His kingdom. We are all unclean. We are all lawbreakers. We cannot be part of His family based on our own merits.
The only way is Jesus.
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Jesus brings the sinners and the outsiders into a proper relationship with the Father.
Ephesians 2:12-13 – Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
We are not born into the family. We have to enter it through the blood of Christ by placing our faith in Him. It is fitting that Jesus the Jew, descended from a Moabite woman, is the one who opens the door for all outsiders to come into the presence of a holy God.
II. Keeping a clean camp (9-14)
Discussion Questions
• Why was it important for them to have a clean camp?
• How could a person gain access to the camp again?
• How does washing with water signify a deeper spiritual reality?
• What does this passage teach us about hygiene?
• What does it mean that the “Lord your God walks in the midst of the camp?”
• Does the Lord walk among you in your home and church? If so, how should this affect you?
• If you knew Jesus was visiting your church this Sunday, what would you do differently?
• If you knew Jesus was visiting your home for a week, what would you do differently?
• Is there anything or any habit you need to remove from your home to make it a clean place?
• How can we, who are unclean sinners, approach a holy God?
Cross-References
Isaiah 1:16-17 – Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Psalms 51:7 – Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Ezekiel 36:25-26 – I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Isaiah 6:3-5 – Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!” And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Keep yourself from every evil thing – One of the key themes of the Old Testament law reviewed in Deuteronomy is the importance of keeping away from evil. God called His people to be holy. We are to be like Him.
1 Peter 1:15-16 – But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Reflect – In what ways might it be more challenging to keep away from evil now than in the Old Testament times?
Throughout all eras and in all civilizations, people are basically the same. People were sinners three thousand years ago and they are still sinners today. From that perspective, it is always difficult to keep from sin.
From some aspects though, it can be more challenging today. In this period of the Old Testament, there was generally a significant geographical separation between the Jews and other nations. They didn’t go to school together. They didn’t go to work together. They didn’t generally eat together. There was little interaction on a day-to-day basis. A typical Israelite farmer could go years or an entire life without meeting an outsider. That does not mean they didn’t face temptation. Temptation can come from within as it can come from without. But it did mean that certain types of evil would seldom be encountered.
In our day and age, there is little separation between the church and the world. Christians go to school with non-Christians. They work together. Mobile phones, televisions, and the internet can bring every type of thing straight to our eyes in a moment’s notice. We could be bombarded with temptations while we are carrying out our everyday business.
What does that mean for us?
It means we have to be even more vigilant in keeping away from every evil thing!
Application – What are some practical ways to protect yourself against temptations? How can you be in the world but not of the world? How can you protect yourself and your family against pornography or other internet dangers?
2. Cleansing with water shows a deeper spiritual reality – When a person did become unclean, he was to go outside the camp. That physical movement reminded him of the spiritual barrier that uncleanness creates between people and God. Something had to be done to “fix” the situation so that restoration could happen.
The unclean person was to wash himself with water. Then he was free to return to camp after sunset.
This washing is full of symbolism. It is an outward picture of the spiritual reality that we need our sins to be washed away if we want to be in fellowship with the Lord.
Titus 3:5 – He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit washes us when we are born again. We continue to receive that washing each time we confess our sins and are cleaned again by Him.
1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The tabernacle had a basin for washing. The priests had to wash their hands every single time they entered. That is a reminder that sanctification is a continual process.
Application – The only way to have the filth of sin removed is for us to confess our sins to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse us. Because we sin on a regular basis, we also need to come to Him for cleansing regularly. It is not enough to confess once a month. We should be in the habit of frequent confession. Do you confess every day? If not, why not?
3. The importance of hygiene and cleanliness – There were hundreds of thousands of people living together in close quarters. Without any rules for disposing of human waste, the camp could have quickly become very nasty indeed. Failing to obey these instructions would not only result in very unpleasant living conditions, but potentially the spread of disease.
Application – Hygiene is still very important. One example is that washing hands can help prevent sickness.
4. The Lord your God walks in your midst – Moses reminded people in very vivid terms that the Lord Himself walked in the midst of the camp. That knowledge should strongly motivate them to keep things clean and tidy. They should keep the camp clean enough to be able to happily invite the Lord to take a stroll together through the camp without being embarrassed about anything.
Revelation 2:1 – To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
In this verse, we are reminded that in a similar manner, Jesus walks among us today. The seven golden lampstands represent the churches of the world. Jesus does not stand aloof and watch from a distance. He comes among us. That fact should encourage and strengthen us when we face trials.
It should also challenge us to live in purity and to have a clean and holy church and home.
Reflect – If Jesus called you right now and said He wanted to come for a visit in ten minutes, what would you do? Is there anything you would want to fix, clean, or deal with before He arrives? How about if He asked to borrow your computer?
Application – Jesus is with you all the time. He is watching over your shoulder when you are browsing the internet. He is next to you when you are watching a movie. He sees you when you are interacting with your children and spouse at home. Remember this and act accordingly.
III. Various laws (15-25)
Discussion Questions
• What are the reasons a slave would run away?
• How were runaway slaves to be treated?
• What can we learn about purity from verse 17? What societal structures had God put in place to provide for outcasts so that they could make a living in a wholesome way?
• What are the “wages of a dog” in verse 18?
• What can we learn about offering money earned in an unscrupulous way to the Lord? Why do you think God did not want this money?
• What principle is taught about loaning money?
• What do you learn about making a vow?
• What Bible character regretted making a vow?
• What should be done if a vow is made in haste and the one making the vow later regrets it?
• What principles are taught in verses 24-25 about how to treat your neighbor? How can these principles be applied today?
Cross-References
Proverbs 6:24-27 – To preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes; for the price of a prostitute is only a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts down a precious life. Can a man carry fire next to his chest
and his clothes not be burned?
Psalms 50:10-11 – For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.
Psalms 37:21 – The wicked borrows but does not pay back,
but the righteous is generous and gives.
Romans 13:8 – Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Verse by Verse Commentary
1. Showing mercy to a runaway slave – Under the Old Testament law, slaves were generally similar to indentured servitude. Most of the time, a person would agree to become a slave (generally for seven years) because of deep financial distress. If the slave ran away, it was likely because the master was harsh or not properly holding up their end of the bargain.
The Israelites were commanded to show mercy to refugee slaves. Knowing that a slave could run away and seek asylum, thus not being returned, would also motivate masters to take care of the slaves and not ill-treat them.
2. Laws against prostitution – Women and men were forbidden to become prostitutes. Sadly, both were common in ancient times and still are today. Here, cult prostitution is mentioned. Many ancient pagan religions were associated with ritual prostitution. These perverted religions viewed prostitution as a form of worship. It was really just an excuse for people to licentiously indulge their fleshly desires.
Such practices are still common in some parts of the world, including Hindu temples in India. Young girls are sold to temples and there become prostitutes serving the male devotees.
The Old Testament not only prohibits such practices but provides a means of support so that young women would be able to survive and not feel like they were forced to turn to such a vocation. Throughout the law, Israel is commanded to take care of the poor and needy. One way this was accomplished was through gleaning. Ruth, for example, was a young widow who was able to glean food so that she and Naomi had enough to eat.
It is important for societies to not only ban evil practices like this but also to address the underlying issues that sometimes push people into these sinful lifestyles.
3. God does not want “dirty” money –
Deuteronomy 23:18 – You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.
It was forbidden to give the wages of a prostitute or a dog into the house of God. Dog is a term used here to describe the male cult prostitute and is akin to Sodomite (Revelation 22:15).
Reflect – What are some of the negative consequences that would result if churches accepted dirty money?
God does not need dirty money. He will be perfectly fine without it. If the temple, the priests, or the church accept money that was gained through immoral, illicit, or illegal means, then it tarnishes God’s name. Accepting money derived from such practices endorses those practices. It also undercuts the ability of God’s minister to speak out against those practices. That would be like biting the hand that feeds you. It creates an unholy alliance.
Another problem is that the person giving the money may feel that the act of offering it to God somehow absolves them from the sin committed to gain it. This, in turn, encourages him to do it again. He can assuage his conscience by telling himself, “I am doing it for God.” Thus, his heart is hardened to sin even more.
Application – The church should not accept money earned in an immoral fashion (there will be times when the church doesn’t know). Individuals should not donate this kind of money to God. Neither should they engage in such work to begin with.
4. Interest and loans – The Jews were forbidden to charge interest on loans to other Jews. For more on loans and debts, see notes on Deuteronomy 15:1-11.
Israel was to be like a family and treat each other as brothers. Rather than exploiting someone who was down and desperate, they were to help the person get back on his two feet.
In many countries today, people are far more individualistic than back then. The rights of the individual are seen as more important than the needs of the group.
God wants us to be others-centered. He wants us to be good stewards of what He has entrusted to us. Part of that is sharing with and helping those who have need.
Galatians 6:10 – So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Application – How can you grow in generosity?
Practice makes perfect!
5. Vows – The commands regarding vows are simple.
A. If you make a vow, keep it. Do it quickly without delay.
B. You are not required to make a vow.
C. Be very careful before making a vow as it is a serious thing.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 – When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
Jesus and James both also talked about vows.
James 5:12 – But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
James quotes Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:37, when He also warned against oaths.
The problem was that by the time of Jesus, people had tried to find loopholes to exploit. For example, a person who swore by “heaven” could break the oath since they didn’t invoke the name of God. There were other unwritten rules. Swearing by the gold of the temple or the throne of God were not considered binding. People were leaving themselves an “out” clause. That is similar to the Western practice of crossing your fingers while making a promise.
It seems that based on the historical context, Jesus, and then James, are prohibiting these types of oaths. He is reminding people that the Creator is always present. He hears what you say and He also sees your heart. Clever word games do not excuse lying.
The world uses a lot of oaths in routine communication. Liars say things like, “I swear on my mother’s grave, I am telling the truth this time.”
But there is a problem with oaths and vows. If you are normally an honest person, why do you need to swear to convince someone that you are telling the truth? Swearing to convince people of the sincerity of your words actually makes you less believable in general.
The Westminster Confession of Faith says oaths are appropriate only in “matters of weight and moment” (Genesis 26:3, Psalms 132:11, Acts 18:18, Revelation 10:5-6).
Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.”
Application
– Be a person of integrity so that you don’t need to persuade people of the truth of your words.
– Think carefully before you make a promise.
– Parents, keep your promises to your children. If you say you will take them to the park or read them a story, do it.
– Only use a vow in a very serious occasion such as a wedding and even then simply make a straightforward and clear statement of commitment.
One example of a foolish vow is Jephthah’s vow in Judges 11:30-31.
6. Eating your neighbor’s produce – Israel was like a large family. People were to love their neighbors as themselves. If you were hungry and passed through your neighbor’s field, you were allowed to pick some to satisfy your hunger. This was another method of taking care of the poor. Jesus’ disciples picked some grain to eat as they were passing through the field (Matthew 12:1-8).
However, they were not allowed to harvest their neighbor’s crops, take food home to save for later, or sell it.
Application – What is a practical way you can show love to a neighbor this week?
