Questions from the Scripture text: Whose rights do v17–18 safeguard? And whose provision do v19–22 safeguard? How? Whose rights are safeguarded in 25:1–3? And whose provision in v4 (cf. 1Cor 9:9–10)? And whose provision in v5–10? In what way? How do v11–12 deal with the attack on the man’s dignity and progeny? What does YHWH say about the form of injustice in v13–16? How had the Amalekites taken advantage of Israel (v17–18)? Whom did they not fear? What must Israel do to them (v19, cf. Ex 17:14)? What is the opposite of coveting, in 26:1–15? When should they begin tithing (v1–2)? What are they to declare in v3? What are they to confess about their worthiness, and God’s grace to them (v4–5)? And what are they to confess about their weakness and God’s grace (v6–8)? And what are they to confess about God’s generosity (v9–10)? How are they to enjoy His generosity (v11)? In what year is there a special tithe for whom (v12)? Unto Whom is this tithing ultimately done (v13)? Along with what other reverence (v14)? Seeking what from Him (v15)?
What is at the heart of the tenth commandment? Deuteronomy 24:17–26:15 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the heart is the heart of the tenth commandment.
There is some overlap here, of the sections of Deuteronomy treating the ninth and tenth commandments. The first few passages of the tenth commandment material touch justice and courts of law, and therefore the importance of bearing true witness. But the rest of the material is so diverse that the diversity itself is part of the point: contentment before God, and consideration of others as much as ourselves, is essential to every part of the godly life or society.
This was one of the reasons for giving the nation of Israel its beginning in slavery in Egypt (24:18, 22). It taught them that they are to be as considerate of the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, as much as of themselves (v17, 19, 20, 21). Even the convicted criminal’s dignity was to be given consideration during sentencing (25:1–3).
There is a sense in which v4 brings out the true nature of the tenth commandment. It isn’t about the rights and dignity of oxen (though it does establish a principle that has application to workmen, cf. 1Cor 9:6–14). It’s about the farmer’s contentment in God’s goodness to him. This contentment is what frees him to have regard for his animal, as it serves him.
This contentment is what enables a man to trust what comes of his own estate unto the Lord, as he produces an heir for his dead brother (v5–6). And a man who does not trust the Lord this way humiliates himself in Israel (v7–10). If a woman is so lost to all decency, as well as disregarding the ability of a man to produce offspring, that she commits the offense in v11, she is to receive the severe and just penalty in v12.
Of course, the tenth commandment is very closely related to the eighth and the ninth. Behind the wickedness of using a lying weight (v13–14, ninth commandment) to steal (eighth) is covetousness in the heart (tenth). This is what makes it a great unrighteousness, and an abomination to YHWH (v16).
The wickedness of discontentment/covetousness is embodied in the Amalekites, who were so fearless and shameless of God, that they picked off the weakest of Israel (v17–18). YHWH hates this and condemns Amalek to complete annihilation (v19; cf. Ex 17:14, 1Sam 15:1–3).
26:1–15 instill the principles of contentment and gratitude by means of the tithe. The bulk of the instruction about these tithes consists of the confession of God’s generosity in v5–10, and prayer for God’s blessing in v13–15. This passage forms an inclusio (bookend) with 24:17–22 by means of the third-year tithe for the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow (26:11, 13).
The tenth commandment is all about the heart: a heart of contentment toward God, and a heart that values another man’s property, rights, and dignity unto him just as much as one’s own. Often, it is in our failure to have regard for our neighbor that we discover our own discontentment before God.
How have you seen God’s generosity to you? How does your own giving reflect contentment and gratitude unto God? Who are the poor or disadvantaged for whose comfort and dignity you have regard? How are you showing that regard? In what way do you have special regard for future generations?
Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have held so tightly to the things of this world. It has shown our lack of trust in You—our lack of gratitude and contentment. Our covetousness has led to disregarding the comfort and dignity of others, so that our sin against them has exposed our greater sin against You. But Christ, Who was rich, became poor for our sakes. Forgive us, through His shed blood, and count Him as our righteousness, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH174 “The Ten Commandments”
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