Deuteronomy 24 paints a picture of justice that is compassionate, one that reflects the holy and loving nature of God. 

Verses 1-5 presented a biblical view of marriage and divorce. Lest we focus incorrectly on the idea of divorce, the more important understanding from the laws surrounding the well-being of women within marital relationships are reminders that stable marriages require effort and time. Stable marriages need to be built on solid biblical foundations, require spouses to be gracious to one another, and for the newly weds to grow as a couple and to be supported in a community. 

The next series of verses are short paragraphs demonstrating the need to be sensitive to the situation of others around us, particularly the vulnerable and needy, and where the community is urged to have a sense of responsibility for the well-being of the vulnerable. These laws reminded people to care for another’s life, care for another’s freedom, heed the instruction of the priests, to be considerate to one another, to protect the innocent, to demonstrate righteousness toward socially and economically vulnerable persons, such as the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows.

Dear brothers and sisters, are you bearers of love and justice? Do you care about yourself more than others? Do you understand that God provides for people in many ways? As followers of Christ, we are asked to show care towards others, and in today’s chapter, on two levels. First, to be proactive in caring for the marginalised in our own communities. Who could they be in our community? As a city church, do we, for example, show care to the migrant workers amongst us, or the foreign students amongst us? Second, how do we respond to the injustice and social ills? Do we follow along with the culture, or are we willing to show Christ in the culture we are in? Are we willing to uphold the sanctity of marriage, to hold the boundaries in dating relationships, to care for the vulnerable and weak?

We are the vehicles of provision, compassion, love, we are the body that exemplifies the love that God is. How would you show love to another today? Let us love as Christ loves us, so that as others see the gospel lived out in us, that glory may be given to our Lord. 

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to show justice and love in the community that I am in, so that Christ may be shown, and that glory may be given to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

(For those who are married, would you pray with your spouse, to commit to spending time and effort to work on your marriage, to show care and grace to each other, and to draw near to God in your marriage.)