What does it mean to be living under righteousness? Does it mean to be living a life under rules and regulations? It certainly sounds so at first look of Deuteronomy 22 with plenty of “you shall” statements.

Deuteronomy 22:1-12 contains six instructions that deal with everyday life in the Israelite community or household, while verses 13-21 contain instructions regarding marital and family relations. Here’s what they look like in summary:

Verses 1-4 deals with one’s respect for a neighbour’s property by asking for righteousness to be demonstrated in care for domestic animals. Verse 5 deals with the preservation of creation order, specifically the fundamental distinction between male and female. Verses 6-8 calls for righteousness to be demonstrated in the care for wild animals, respecting the lives of created creatures. Verse 8 calls for righteousness to be demonstrated in care for one’s household as well as whoever enters the house. Verses 9-11 calls for righteousness to be demonstrated in everyday life. In verse 12, the instruction of righteousness to be demonstrated in what is being worn, is a physical reminder of Israel’s status as the covenant people of Yahweh. Verses 13-21 discuss living in righteousness in the face of marital infidelity, while verses 22-40 seek to establish righteousness in sexual behaviour.

If these instructions were for the Israelites, do Christians need to continue to keep these regulations? Lest we think that Old Testament laws are things of the past, it is imperative that we understand that the underlying principles behind these regulations are determined by our relationship with God. And if we are sure of our relationship with God, and are committed to be more and more like Christ, then we need to embody the grace of Christ in every aspect of life, and honour and value others as we do ourselves.

Therefore, what does it mean to be living under righteousness? It means to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love others as we love ourselves. If we love God, would we not seek the welfare of all in our charge? If we love God, would we not treasure what He had fundamentally accorded to each of us? If we love God, should we not be sensitive to countercultural values, and be sure of our own boundaries as citizens of God’s Kingdom? As followers of Christ, we need to see community, family, relationships and human sexuality from God’s perspectives, and value marriage as He has instituted. Human sexuality is sacred, the purity of marriage must be defended and preserved, and the family unit as a basic building block in society needs to be held up.

What does it mean to be living under righteousness? May we reflect on these principles for righteous living and find contemporary ways of applying them into the culture we are in.

Prayer: Dear God, help me to live in righteousness, to value my relationship, my family, my community, and to love others as you have loved me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.