Contemplative Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 23:1-2 (New English Translation)

23:1 A man with crushed or severed genitals may not enter the assembly of the LORD. 23:2 A person of illegitimate birth may not enter the assembly of the LORD; to the tenth generation no one related to him may do so.

This is harsh. Certain people with physical differences were prohibited from the assembly of the LORD. In addition—yes, there is more severity—no ancestor of that person to the tenth generation may enter the assembly of the LORD.

Harsh? Yes. Cruel? Yes. What is the point? I don’t know.

Here is one possible reason: to show the wonderful grace of Jesus the Messiah. There is no harsh punishment like this. A person, regardless of origin or physical condition, is accepted by God via the sacrifice of the Son. There is no punishment to the tenth generation or to the next generation or to anyone else.

The wonderful grace of Jesus—someone should write a song about that (already have).