Deuteronomy 24

De 24:1-22.

OF

DIVORCES.

1-4. When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass

that she find no favour in his eyes--It appears that the practice of

divorces was at this early period very prevalent amongst the

Israelites, who had in all probability become familiar with it in Egypt

[LANE].

The usage, being too deep-rooted to be soon or easily

abolished, was tolerated by Moses

(Mt 19:8).

But it was accompanied under the law with two conditions, which were

calculated greatly to prevent the evils incident to the permitted

system; namely: (1) The act of divorcement was to be certified on a

written document, the preparation of which, with legal formality, would

afford time for reflection and repentance; and (2) In the event of the

divorced wife being married to another husband, she could not, on the

termination of that second marriage, be restored to her first husband,

however desirous he might be to receive her.

5. When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war--This

law of exemption was founded on good policy and was favorable to

matrimony, as it afforded a full opportunity for the affections of the

newly married pair being more firmly rooted, and it diminished or

removed occasions for the divorces just mentioned.

6. No man shall take the nether or the upper millstone to pledge--The

"upper" stone being concave, covers the "nether" like a lid; and it has

a small aperture, through which the corn is poured, as well as a handle

custom of grinding corn every morning for daily consumption. If either

of the stones, therefore, which composed the handmill was wanting, a

person would be deprived of his necessary provision.

7. If a man be found stealing any of his

brethren--(See

Ex 21:16).

8, 9. Take heed in the plague of leprosy--(See

Le 13:14).

10-13. When thou dost lend thy brother anything, thou shalt not go into

his house to fetch his pledge--The course recommended was, in kind and

considerate regard, to spare the borrower's feelings. In the case of a

poor man who had pledged his cloak, it was to be restored before night,

as the poor in Eastern countries have commonly no other covering for

wrapping themselves in when they go to sleep than the garment they have

worn during the day.

14, 15. Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and

needy--Hired servants in the East are paid at the close of the day;

and for a master to defraud the laborer of his hire, or to withhold it

wrongfully for a night, might have subjected a poor man with his family

to suffering and was therefore an injustice to be avoided

(Le 19:13).

16-18. The fathers shall not be put to death for the children--The rule

was addressed for the guidance of magistrates, and it established the

equitable principle that none should be responsible for the crimes of

others.

19-22. When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field--The grain,

pulled up by the roots or cut down with a sickle, was laid in loose

sheaves; the fruit of the olive was obtained by striking the branches

with long poles; and the grape clusters, severed by a hook, were

gathered in the hands of the vintager. Here is a beneficent provision

for the poor. Every forgotten sheaf in the harvest-field was to lie;

the olive tree was not to be beaten a second time; nor were grapes to

be gathered, in order that, in collecting what remained, the hearts of

the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow might be gladdened by the

bounty of Providence.