Deuteronomy 22

Caring & Clothes

Often we hear that Old Testament is harsh and not so relatable for us.
 Well... it is relatable and it also contains a lot of lessons that we can apply to our everyday life.

There are two strong points that I got for myself out of this chapter. (NOT to say that there are only two points)

1. Caring for your sisters and brothers in Christ

In the beginning of the chapter it says that if you see your brother's donkey or ox is lost or fallen do not ignore it. "You shall bring it home to your house, and it shall stay with you until you brother seeks it" (verse 2)

Although this has been written to the Jews it has been also written to the people that God loved (all: Jews and Gentiles) and wanted them to love him back and this is one of the way that God says they will please him.

2. Wearing proper clothing

" A woman shall not wear a man's garment, not shall a man put on a woman's cloak" (verse 5)

Clothing differs from culture to culture and it can be difficult to draw the lines between a man's and woman's clothing, especially in these times.

I like an example that I've heard multiple times in my church:

One preacher was  against women wearing pants, he called it men's clothing. One day after the service was over, one of the older brothers in Christ took him to the clothing store and brought him to the pants section in woman's side of the store, and said,  " Go ahead buy some pants, brother, it's on me" and the man said " But this is a woman's section!"

And the older brother in Christ said " But you said all pants are for men only"

The point is that there are different occasions  and different places where different clothing is appropriate. Another question is which occasions and places are appropriate?

For example in church you should dress appropriately you are coming to worship God with your fellow brothers and sisters. Ripped jeans, short shorts, tight clothing should not be worn to the house of prayer. 

But in different occasions, for example you're helping out someone paint a house, you're not going to wear a long skirt, or dress pants to do that. The appropriate thing to wear will be dirty pants and a shirt, something that you would not wear to church.

Further in this chapter it talks about marriage, adultery and how to punish someone for it and how to punish a man who falsely accuses his wife of not being a virgin. For me if you look at a man or a woman with (sexual) desires then you've already committed this terrible sin in your heart ( Just like in says in the New testament) it's the same as it were to physically happen.