“‘A curse on anyone who causes a blind person to lose his way on the road.’ All the people are to say, ‘Amen!’-Deuteronomy 27:18
Today I want to show you how the Lord’s instructions can be taken BOTH literally and metaphorically.
Let’s take a look at verse 18 which warns us not to cause a blind person to lose his way.
Of course, the literal or plain meaning of this text is easy to understand.
If you see a blind man walking down the street in order to get somewhere, out of some perverse sport for pleasure, you are not to make fun of him by guiding him in another direction.
That’s the literal translation.
However the deeper idea being communicated here is that you are not to take advantage of someone else’s ignorance or handicap by misleading them to your advantage and their detriment.
Some perfect examples are…
…a parent teaching a young child who doesn’t know any better to lie or steal or deny God…
…or…
…a congregation who uses the Bible to mislead its members by teaching false and idolatrous doctrines…
…or…
…a shop that charges outrageous prices for their goods to unsuspecting tourists that they would never charge the locals.
This commandment is central to the ideals of fairness woven into all of the Lord’s commands and can be summed up in the greatest commandment of all:
“Love the Lord your God and
love your neighbor as yourself”.
Let’s move on to verse 19.
“‘A curse on anyone who interferes with justice for the foreigner, orphan or widow.’ All the people are to say, ‘Amen!’
As with the last verse, the literal meaning of this verse is as plain as day.
The rules of justice and fair play are to apply equally to the foreigner, widow or orphan.
However, the deeper meaning being communicated here is to not judge a person unfairly because of his social or economic status.
The objective of this commandment is about protecting those folks who are the most vulnerable in society.
For example…
…taking advantage of the diminishing mental faculties of the elderly in some way in order to get their money…
…or…
…discriminating against a racial minority by not hiring them for a position when they clearly have the qualifications to do the job…
…or…
…not raising your voice in protest when you clearly see someone in a disadvantageous position being taken advantage of.
That’s right.
The Lord expects us to be vigorously proactive and not turn a blind eye to the injustice being committed right in front of our eyes every day.
I’m done.
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