What does Deut 23:15 reveal about justice?
What does "do not return" in Deuteronomy 23:15 reveal about God's justice?

Key Verse

“Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.” (Deuteronomy 23:15)


Immediate Setting

• Situated among laws that protect the poor, foreigner, and vulnerable (Deuteronomy 23:15–25).

• Israel is taught to mirror God’s character by building a society that refuses to cooperate with oppression.


What “Do Not Return” Means

• A categorical command, not a suggestion—Israel must refuse any request to send a fugitive slave back.

• God draws a clear line: justice outweighs human property claims when those claims conflict with human dignity (cf. Exodus 22:21).

• The law creates a sheltering space—“refuge”—affirming the runaway’s right to safety.


Revelations About God’s Justice

• Protection for the Powerless

– God’s justice tilts toward the oppressed: “The LORD executes justice for the oppressed” (Psalm 146:7).

– By outlawing forced return, the LORD cuts off exploitation where it begins.

• Freedom as a Divine Priority

– Echoes Israel’s own liberation story (Deuteronomy 15:15).

– Foreshadows Christ’s mission: “He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives” (Isaiah 61:1; Luke 4:18).

• Personal Responsibility in Justice

– Each Israelite bears direct responsibility; the command is addressed to “you” singular.

– Justice is not delegated; it is practiced at the community level.

• Limits on Human Authority

– Earthly masters do not possess final authority over life; God reserves that right (Psalm 24:1).

– The command restrains any system that would treat people as mere property.

• Sanctity of Refuge

– Reflects God Himself as a refuge: “God is our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1).

– Safe harbor for the vulnerable becomes a theological statement about God’s character.


Wider Biblical Echoes

Exodus 21:16: Kidnappers to be put to death—people cannot be treated as chattel.

Leviticus 25:10: “Proclaim liberty throughout the land.”

Galatians 5:1: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.”

Matthew 25:40: Care for “the least of these” equals service to Christ Himself.


Practical Takeaways

• Stand with those fleeing abuse; enabling escape from harm aligns with divine justice.

• Evaluate systems—economic, social, or legal—through the lens of God’s protective heart.

• Treat every person as image‐bearer rather than commodity, reflecting the Gospel’s liberation.

• Embrace personal responsibility; never abdicate justice to institutions alone.

How does Deuteronomy 23:15 guide our treatment of those seeking refuge?
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