Dt. 21: Hang 'Em High

Deuteronomy 21:8 "Accept this atonement for your people Israel, whom you have redeemed, O LORD, and do not hold your people guilty of the blood of an innocent man." And the bloodshed will be atoned for."

What do you do when you find a body of a slain man lying in a field? In Israel's day they went to the town nearest the body (they measured it) and broke a heifer's neck to atone for the shedding of blood. Assuming God knew who killed who at all times, I wonder how He dealt with the person? Was this neck-breaking of this heifer enough for atonement? The way I read it, it serves to absolve a certain city of the crime, not the murderer himself...or herself. I guess chicks could murder dudes.

What happens to the women taken in plunder? I thought orgies, but I was wrong. Verses 10-14 explain that marriage is the deal. Sexual slavery was not recommended. The wife had to go through a purification process, and was actually given a month to mourn mom and dad, but eventually, she was a total wife.

So...you marry a chick, have a son, stop loving the chick, and marry another chick. Chick two bares you a son. Who gets the inheritance? This practice wasn't condoned, but kids had to deal with their parents' screw ups. The first son, the symbol of strength, gets the inheritance.

Parents can stone a rebellious son! They can punish and punish, but if he's that naughty, he can be stoned at the city gate, upon approval of the elders. This was a deterrent to strike fear into the hearts of rebellious sons everywhere. I'd sit up and take notice if this happened to a drin...to a buddy of mine.

If a man does something dastardly enough to warrant a hanging from a tree, he is not to be left there overnight. God's curse is on him. Is this law to protect the tree? Again we see trees/creation subject to man's actions. A tree is a life giving thing. I think this is a lot like the law to not boil a lamb in its mother's milk.