True Humanity (Deuteronomy 24)

Deuteronomy 24:13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the Lord thy God.

Men find their full potential only as they live in right relationship with God. This chapter of God’s law contains all kinds of humane ordinances governing divorce (v.1-4), newly married couples (v.5), debts (v.6,10-13), kidnapping (v.7), skin diseases (v.8-9), paying wages (v.14-15), revenge (v.16), and provision for the poor, the fatherless, and the widows (v.16-25).

So many of these instructions, though not coming naturally to fallen mankind, are rooted in the character and person of God. They should show us something of who God is and remind us that a world that is not governed by God is cruel, selfish, and unjust. Thankfully, even though we are naturally selfish and sinners, God provided a Saviour to rescue us from the darkness of our own heart and the corruption of fallen humanity.