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respecting the contract

Deuteronomy 27:20 (JDV)

Deuteronomy 27:20 ‘The one who sleeps with his father’s wife is afflicted with a curse, because he has violated his father’s marriage bed.’ And all the people will say, ‘Amen! ‘

respecting the contract

The Israelites were surrounded by nations with all kinds of deviant sexual habits and traditions. The next few pronouncements highlight that fact. They are intended to help the Israelites see themselves as different, more committed to lives of integrity. The father’s marriage contract establishes a boundary that the son cannot cross. To do so would be to violate both that contract, and the covenant of which it was a part.

As Christians, our activities and relationships are not open books for us to write. They are part of our covenant with Christ. There are things we cannot do, because those things would violate both human contracts and the divine covenant.

Lord, teach us to respect both our covenant with you, and the contracts and relationships of others.