Deuteronomy 22:1-30


Relationships are vital to the well being of the society at large and our families in general.  We are all involved in relationships with our neighbors as well as the members of our family and the people with whom we share our communities.  God has some very clear instructions as to how we are to relate with one another and what we can do to make sure that our relationships are pleasing to Him.

GOD WANTS US TO BE HELPFUL TO OUR NEIGHBORS: We have a saying that goes: “finders keepers; losers weepers.”  Even though this is a widely accepted code on the playground of most schools, it is not the pattern that the Lord has established for His people.  God teaches us that if we find something or see an animal that belongs to our neighbor we must return it to him and if we don’t know to whom it belongs we must guard it safely so that we can restore it to the rightful owner when he comes to look for it.  When we see others in need around us, we must be ready and willing to help.  We are even called to look out for and take care of animals that may cross our paths.  God has appointed us as administrators of this world and He expects us to take care of one another and not take advantage of one another.  We will do far more to promote the cause of Christ if we are faithfully looking for ways to bless and help the people around us.  Christian neighbors should always be the best neighbors.

GOD WANTS US TO BE HOLY IN OUR MARRIAGES: Marriage is a sacred relationship between a man and a woman that must be maintained holy before the Lord.  God desires that men and women preserve themselves pure and wait to practice sexual relationships until they have committed to one another in marriage.  God always condemns sex prior to marriage or outside of marriage.  If a man marries a woman he is required to protect her honor and the woman is responsible to remain holy until marriage.  Men who seek to dishonor marriage by looking for a way to escape because they are not pleased with their spouse are very displeasing to God.  Rape, premarital sex as well as extramarital sex are condemned by God and in the Old Testament were punishable by death.  God has called us to be holy in our sexual relationships and wait until marriage and be faithful within marriage so that we can enjoy this gracious gift from God in the way that He intended.

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