Deuteronomy 22:1-51Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother. 2And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again. 3In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself. 4Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again. 5The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God. (Deuteronomy 22:1‑5)
IN THIS chapter it is wonderful to see how God takes up small matters that have to do with our domestic relationships. Little things mean so much at times.
"Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother." The Lord would have His people, who were called by His name, considerate of others. We may be upright in our dealings, and yet lack in thoughtfulness and kindness to our brethren and neighbors.
Supposing the brother whose animal had gone astray, did not live near, or if one didn't know whose animal it was, still he was to bring it home and keep it until the brother came looking for it; then he was to restore it to him again. He was to show the same care with anything that belonged to his neighbor.
If he saw his brother's ass or ox fallen down under its burden, he was not to hide himself as if he didn't see what happened, but he was to help lift the animal back upon his feet again. How beautiful it is to see the Spirit of God giving instructions about all these little things in our lives. God cares for us and helps us through the day, and He would have us to be kind and show the same care to others. We need to read the Word of God day by day, consecutively, for not only does it tell us how to be saved, but it marks out a path for our feet step by step, a path honoring to Him who has called us "out of darkness into His marvelous light."
"The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." There was to be a distinction between the clothes that men wore and that which women wore. We can see the wisdom of God in guarding the moral order He has established and which our natural hearts are prone to give up. In Romans 1 we read of the awful corruptions that filled the heathen world. These were the result of men and women casting aside restraint and giving rein to their lusts.
How sad to see the same tendencies around us today in these so-called Christian lands. It is surely a departure from that which God has laid down in His Word and a sign of the last days when it is the fashion for women to dress like men. "For all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Dear young Christian, it is wisdom to hearken to the voice of God. Let us be warned so that what we wear and how we walk are pleasing to Him.
Messages of the Love of God 8/24/1975