2025.12.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Deuteronomy 24:8–16

Read Deuteronomy 24:8–16

Questions from the Scripture text: What might happen to them (Deuteronomy 24:8)? Who will teach them what they must do? To whom else had it happened (Deuteronomy 24:9, cf. Numbers 12)? What might they do (Deuteronomy 24:10)? What mustn’t they do to their brother? What must they do (Deuteronomy 24:11)? In what case must they not do what (Deuteronomy 24:12)? With what result (Deuteronomy 24:13)? What mustn’t they do to whom (Deuteronomy 24:14)? Of what ethnicities? What must they do daily (Deuteronomy 24:15)? Lest what should happen? Who must not be put to death for what (Deuteronomy 24:16)?

How important is our use of the tongue? Deuteronomy 24:8–16 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nine verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that in the tongue is the power of life and death.  

Deuteronomy 24:8-9 seem to intrude upon the flow of the text. Also, the priestly procedures referenced (cf. Leviticus 11–15) were rigorous. Thankfully, the Spirit’s reference to Miriam helps us understand the placement here. She was struck with leprosy for slandering Moses (cf. Numbers 12:2). This is a reminder of how seriously the Lord takes tongue sins.

Deuteronomy 24:10-15 remind us that the words of the poor are no less valuable for their poverty. They are to be taken weightily without violating their privacy to secure a pledge, or even retaining the pledge in any way that injures them. In taking their words weightily, we follow the Lord, Who listens to them whether thy bless (Deuteronomy 24:13) or curse (Deuteronomy 24:15).

Finally, Deuteronomy 24:16 reminds us of what is at stake in legal testimony (which is the context of the 9th commandment). The penalty is often death, and must be applied justly, only to him who is guilty. Speech is a great responsibility (cf. Proverbs 18:21). We must use it in service and obedience to God.

Against what authorities are you tempted to sin with your tongue? Whose words are you tempted to treat as unimportant? In what circumstances do you give testimony about others? How seriously do you take it?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for our carelessness with our tongues. Forgive us for speaking ill of those in authority. And forgive us for treating the words of others as unimportant. Forgive us for being careless about our testimony about others. Forgive us, and grant that we would use out mouths in service and obedience to You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”