Deuteronomy 22 LAWS FOR LIVING All over this world most people live in close proximity to others. Even in places where people are still hunters and gatherers there is social interaction. There is also an inner urge to possess things and claim them for ourselves. Children claim "my coat ... my bed ... my room ... my toys ... my books ... my friends." These things do give a sense of personhood to them at an early age. A little farther along in life we have "my work ... my home ... my family ... my car," and this establishes a sense of responsibility in which human relationships flourish. In our spiritual life we are conscious of "my sin ... my soul ... my need ... my Savior ... my salvation," and these make us aware of God and the standards of moral living He expects of people. In communities we speak of "my neighbor ... my street ... my assembly ... my friends," and these give a sense of communion in everyday living. In any of these areas of these areas of life, when we change the God- ordered state of things, it brings disruption in contented living, and can destroy the respect that is needed for living effectively. In order for the children of Israel to travel and live together for years in the wilderness there had to be laws for living. Those laws were to continue to be the guidelines for living in the communities of the promised land.
In farming areas where there are animals kept to provide a livelihood for families, it is inevitable that occasionally some animals would get loose and stray. Ownership is not established on the basis of where and animal or a lost possession is at the moment, but where it is normally. To keep for one's self that which we find without seeking for the rightful owner is the same as stealing. The game of "finders-keepers" is not God's way nor within the laws of living. Everything we claim for ourselves comes from God and yet many will never give Him thanks for the things He gives us. Others ignore His grace and think they deserve that for which they have never worked. If a person takes for themselves that which obviously belongs to someone else, they are breaking the laws of living. Respect for the property of others is one way of demonstrating respect for a neighbor - or for that matter, a stranger. That law of ownership is placed in our hearts so we will care for what has been given by God and allowed for us to keep. At the same time the same law makes us respond as the moral law states, "... and thy neighbor as thyself."
When we practice that law of respect towards others, we will find we also respect ourselves. To eat that which is not ours takes away the sense of worth we need. "Stolen waters " may seem sweet for a moment, but when we kill an animal of our neighbor's and eat its meat as if it were our own, there will be a sense of guilt which we cannot avoid. There are consequences when we break any law, and guilt is usually strongest when we know we have broken a moral law. Included in that is the fact that God made us who we are and what we are. In spite of the man-made laws that people want to adapt to a sinful lifestyle they have chosen, a man is - and always will be a man no matter how he dresses, or what he may have done to himself. The same fact applies to women. The trans-gender culture that is in vogue does not change the genes of a person. People may allow perverted thinking about themselves and others, but God-given laws for living do not change because of the votes of a governing body.
All around us everyday and everywhere, the laws of nature are functioning as God intended, for our welfare. "Only man is vile." God created everything for our benefit and He declared it "good." "Every good gift, and every perfect gift cometh down from above." We can respect the laws of nature and we will be provided for as the Lord intended. To kill the hen that lays the eggs may give us one or two meals for the moment, but will effectively stop the source of life and the process by which our sustenance is maintained. When greed destroys the eggs of the fish in the water, we can effectively cut off the source of food that maintains millions of people. The hunter is wise who does not kill for his immediate gratification those creatures that reproduce and continue to supply our needs. Mixed seed in a field may hinder a whole harvest when one kind of plant grows higher than another. A larger plant may cover life-producing light, and stunt the growth and development of a smaller plant that produces a smaller plant that produces food for our use. At the same time both take moisture from the ground needed for plant growth, but there will not be enough for the seed to develop to full fruit as it should. Two different kinds of threads may be different in tensile strength. A garment may look nice with two different kinds of cloth, but the strength of the garment is compromised.
These kinds of lessons teach us that God intends us to conduct our community life, our assembly life and our personal life in a life-sustaining way that is consistent with God's unique and perfect plans for our good. When we act independently of God's will and ways, we may have short-term gains and long-terms losses. Building a guardrail where it provides safety for our own family and others who may visit us, may not be esthetically appealing, but is a fundamental law for safe living. God knows the end from the beginning of things, and He knows what can happen when human beings act in their own sinful ways. By defining "common sense" laws for living, respect for others, for ourselves and for nature will make our lives much better. An area of living where there is far too much disrespect is in the interaction of men and women. We have been created in such a way as to propagate the human race. The process is pleasurable and can be meaningful to both men and women when it is conducted in the way God intends. For men to take advantage of women and abuse the dignity and beauty God has given them, ruins the respect each should have for the other. Relationships between the sexes has been defined by God as to how it best works and what is safest and the most enjoyable. God's pattern for sexual life works well when followed. To take with unbridled lust from another person that which should be able to be given gladly, demeans the whole of a personal relationship between two people. What is lost in such a situation, can never be regained.
When a man gives of himself and his love for a woman, the best he can give, that will be received with joy and respect. It will not only establish the foundation of a good relationship, but the joy and respect given, will enhance the desire of that woman for her husband. When a woman gives of herself that which is uniquely hers to give, then her husband's respect for her is so high he will desire to preserve, protect and defend her with his life. Her joy is his desire. Her contentment brings him contentment. Her love when given, is not demanded and is real and lasting. Strong rules for living are given that life will be guarded as it should be, and life for both man and woman is pleasurable and fruitful. It will be safe and lived out in trust and respect. Relationships between the sexes when kept within the bounds of the laws for living keeps peace and tranquility in a community, a family and an assembly. Forbidden pleasures when people cross the boundaries of biblical, sexual conduct, destroy, demean and divide people in ways from which they can never be fully recovered. The rules for living create a solid atmosphere of solid marriages and children who feel safe and secure. Respect is established and maintained when God's directives are followed and lived by.