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Ritual Harlotry

Text: Deuteronomy 23:17-25
12 February 2019

RITUAL HARLOTRY

1. Ritual harlotry

This was a common practice among the Canaanite religions

2. This was forbidden for the daughters of Israel   (Deuteronomy 23:17a)

3. Variation

A perverted one of the sons of Israel   (Deuteronomy 23:17b)

4. Wages of a harlot

a) Not to be brought to the house of the LORD   (Deuteronomy 27:18a)
b) Or a price of a dog (a derogatory term for a harlot)

5. Vowed offering

The above cannot be offered even if they are “vowed offerings”   (Deuteronomy 23:18b)

6. They are an abomination to the LORD   (Deuteronomy 23:18c)

CHARGING OF INTEREST (USURY)

1. No interest to be charged to a brother (Deuteronomy 23:19a)

2. Things noted:

a) Money
b) Food
c) Others   (Deuteronomy 23:19b)

3. A foreigner

Interest may be charged but not a brother   (Deuteronomy 23:20)

4. Blessing

That the LORD may bless you in all things

VOWS MADE TO THE LORD

1. When a vow is made to the LORD   (Deuteronomy 23:21a)

2. It must be paid

It must not be delayed   (Deuteronomy 23:21b)

3. If left unpaid., it would become sin   (Deuteronomy 23:22)

4. Better to abstain from making a vow   (Deuteronomy 23:23a)

5. What is a vow?

a) It is a promise made to the LORD
b) It is to be kept and performed   (Deuteronomy 23:23b)

NEIGHBOUR’S VINEYARD

1. You may eat your fill

a) Grapes   (Deuteronomy 23:24a)
b) Grain   (Deuteronomy 23:25a)

2. What you may not do

a) Not allowed to put the grapes in a container   (Deuteronomy 23:24b)
b) Not allowed to use a sickle on the standing grain   (Deuteronomy 23:25b)