My King James Version “Scofield Reference Bible” labels Deuteronomy chapter 23 like this, “Divers (diverse) Regulations.”
Indeed it is, sets of rules and warnings (prohibitions and instructions) concerning many areas of life. Yes, the great Creator (and potential Redeemer) of humankind plans to be “Lord” of all!
Including daily life!
So … here are rules (in context particularly applying to soldiers who are encamped against an enemy) about “cleanliness.” About hygiene, literally about “using the bathroom!”
Let me explain, better yet, let the Bible explain. Let God speak:
“Thou shalt have a place also without the camp, whither thou shalt go forth abroad: and thou shalt have a paddle upon thy weapon; and it shall be, when thou wilt EASE THYSELF abroad, thou shalt dig therewith, and shalt TURN BACK AND COVER that which cometh from thee: for the LORD thy God walketh in the midst of thy camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee; therefore shall thy camp be HOLY: that he see no unclean thing in thee, and turn away from thee.” Deuteronomy 23:12-14, wow!
Maybe Grandma was right! About “cleanliness” being next to “godliness!”
How to properly … use the bathroom … in today’s terminology.
This three verse unit is loaded with instruction!
Practically, disease will be (by obeying God) kept in check, potentially so anyway.
Noxious odors will be removed as well.
“Common sense,” which God gave us all, is being utilized here.
Laziness is also outlawed!
This gives the idea of “going” to the bathroom new meaning.
Even here we have “thinking of others” emphasized rather than a man following the immediate desires of his own heart.
BUT do note. God is looking!
And God has standards of holiness, purity … that must be observed!
Plus this … allow filth into the camp … and God just might … “turn away from thee.”
Resulting in untold loss of life, I suspect! In the next skirmish, battle!
Amazing!
Then too, Paul’s advice from 1st Thessalonians 5:22 comes to mind. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
Now in principle, think of some ways you can lead a cleaner life for Jesus.
I mean today.
Do keep in mind, as I said, GOD IS WATCHING!
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3
— Dr. Mike Bagwell