Deuteronomy 19:20
Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you.
Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid
This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of the law in ancient Israel. The law was not just for the individual but for the entire community. The purpose of the punishment was to serve as a deterrent to others. In the context of Deuteronomy, which is a series of speeches by Moses, the law is given to ensure that the Israelites maintain holiness and justice as they enter the Promised Land. The fear mentioned here is a reverential fear, acknowledging the seriousness of God's commandments. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where the early church is described as having a fear of the Lord (Acts 5:11).

and they will never again do anything so evil among you
The phrase underscores the goal of eradicating evil from the community. The law was designed to maintain purity and righteousness among God's people. The historical context of Deuteronomy is the establishment of a theocratic society where God's laws are supreme. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where obedience leads to blessing and disobedience to curses (Deuteronomy 28). The idea of removing evil is also seen in the New Testament, where believers are called to live holy lives, set apart from sin (1 Peter 1:15-16). The ultimate fulfillment of eradicating evil is found in Jesus Christ, who through His sacrifice, provides a way for sin to be forgiven and for believers to live righteously.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the laws and commandments as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. Judges and Officials
Appointed leaders responsible for maintaining justice and order among the people.

5. Witnesses
Individuals who testify in legal matters, whose integrity is crucial for justice.
Teaching Points
The Role of Fear in Deterrence
The fear of consequences is a powerful motivator for maintaining societal order and discouraging evil actions.

Justice as a Community Responsibility
The community is responsible for upholding justice, ensuring that laws are enforced to prevent evil from spreading.

The Importance of Witness Integrity
Honest and reliable witnesses are crucial for justice, as false testimony can lead to wrongful punishment and societal harm.

Learning from Others' Mistakes
Observing the consequences faced by others can serve as a valuable lesson, encouraging individuals to avoid similar wrongdoings.

The Balance of Justice and Mercy
While justice is necessary, it should be balanced with mercy, reflecting God's character and promoting a compassionate society.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the concept of fear as a deterrent in Deuteronomy 19:20 apply to modern legal systems?

2. In what ways can we ensure that justice is upheld in our communities today, reflecting the principles found in Deuteronomy 19:20?

3. How can the integrity of witnesses be maintained in contemporary society, and why is this important?

4. What lessons can we learn from observing the consequences faced by others, and how can these lessons be applied in our personal lives?

5. How can we balance the need for justice with the call to show mercy, as seen in the broader biblical account?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:20
This verse emphasizes the fear of God as a deterrent to sin, similar to the fear of punishment in Deuteronomy 19:20.

Proverbs 19:25
Highlights the concept of learning from the punishment of others, reinforcing the idea of deterrence.

1 Timothy 5:20
Paul instructs that public rebuke serves as a warning to others, aligning with the principle in Deuteronomy 19:20.

Romans 13:4
Discusses the role of authorities as God's servants to bring punishment on wrongdoers, echoing the deterrent purpose of the law.
The Law of RetaliationR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 19:14-21
Bulwark Against PerjuryD. Davies Deuteronomy 19:15-21
False WitnessJ. Orr Deuteronomy 19:16-21
People
Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor
Topics
Add, Afraid, Commit, Evil, Fear, Full, Hearing, Henceforth, Midst, Rest
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 19:20

     8754   fear

Deuteronomy 19:15-21

     5201   accusation
     5383   lawsuits
     6206   offence

Deuteronomy 19:16-21

     5358   judges

Deuteronomy 19:18-21

     5495   revenge, and retaliation

Library
The Cities of Refuge
'The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, 2. Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: 3. That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4. And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Messianic Claims Met by Attempt to Stone Jesus.
(Jerusalem. October, a.d. 29.) ^D John VIII. 12-59. ^d 12 Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. [The metaphor of light was common, and signified knowledge and life; darkness is opposed to light, being the symbol of ignorance and death.] 13 The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true. [They perhaps recalled the words of Jesus
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Doctrine of Non-Resistance to Evil by Force Has Been Professed by a Minority of Men from the Very Foundation of Christianity. Of the Book "What
CHAPTER I. THE DOCTRINE OF NON-RESISTANCE TO EVIL BY FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSED BY A MINORITY OF MEN FROM THE VERY FOUNDATION OF CHRISTIANITY. Of the Book "What I Believe"--The Correspondence Evoked by it-- Letters from Quakers--Garrison's Declaration--Adin Ballou, his Works, his Catechism--Helchitsky's "Net of Faith"--The Attitude of the World to Works Elucidating Christ's Teaching--Dymond's Book "On War"--Musser's "Non-resistance Asserted"--Attitude of the Government in 1818 to Men who Refused to
Leo Tolstoy—The Kingdom of God is within you

What the Ruler's Discrimination Should be Between Correction and Connivance, Between Fervour and Gentleness.
It should be known too that the vices of subjects ought sometimes to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at; that things, even though openly known, ought sometimes to be seasonably tolerated, but sometimes, though hidden, be closely investigated; that they ought sometimes to be gently reproved, but sometimes vehemently censured. For, indeed, some things, as we have said, ought to be prudently connived at, but indicated in that they are connived at, so that, when the
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House Officers, Taxation, Publicans
It was the very busiest road in Palestine, on which the publican Levi Matthew sat at the receipt of "custom," when our Lord called him to the fellowship of the Gospel, and he then made that great feast to which he invited his fellow-publicans, that they also might see and hear Him in Whom he had found life and peace (Luke 5:29). For, it was the only truly international road of all those which passed through Palestine; indeed, it formed one of the great highways of the world's commerce. At the time
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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