Deuteronomy 21:22-23 "And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: (23) His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance."
Much of the book of Deuteronomy is written concerning the matters of everyday
living. God instructed His people concerning life and death, obedience and
disobedience. He was very specific in His instructions. If a man
took a wife from another nation, she was to trim her nails, cut her hair, and
not wear clothing that was native to her own land. She was to be
completely conformed to the ways of Israel. If a son was disobedient to
his parents, they were to bring the son to the elders of the city. "And
they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and
rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.
(21) And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that
he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear,
and fear." (Deuteronomy 21:20-21) If a man was found lying dead on a
path, and it was unknown as to who killed the man, the priests were to slay a
heifer and offer the blood of the heifer on behalf of the innocent men of the
nearest city. Yes, God was, and is, strict concerning matters of His
children.
Then we come to today's passage. If a man commits a crime worthy of death
and is hanged on a tree.... His body was to be taken off the cross
before the end of the day in order that the land would not be defiled.
Then God makes a statement through Moses that is very noteworthy.
"For he that is hanged is accursed of God." Take just a moment
to read that statement again and let it soak into your very heart. In fact, let
me repeat that statement: "For he that is hanged is accursed of
God."
Why is it important for us to understand the impact of this statement of the
law? Let's answer the question concerning, "When did God make the
covenant of grace that was between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?"
Again, lest we forget the impact of this verse that was tucked into the
center of the law, "For he that is hanged is accursed of God."
In Revelation 13:8, we read concerning the "book of life of the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." When did we
first see the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, Redeemer of God's
people? Can we agree that God spoke of the coming Messiah when He cast
Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden? "The seed of the woman would
bruise the head of the serpent." Throughout the Old Testament,
prophecies are given concerning the death of the very Son of God. We know His
name is Jesus.
As I read today's passage, I have to wonder what went through the heart and
mind of God, the Father when He dictated to Moses, "For he that is hanged
is accursed of God." God, having perfect understanding of all
things, knew that in the fullness of time, He would send His Son, made of a
woman, to redeem them who were under the curse of the law. Nothing
"slipped up on the Father." When He spoke those words to Moses,
the Father knew that His only begotten Son, the One in Whom He is well pleased,
would be nailed to an old rugged cross. His own Son would be "hanged on a
tree." His perfect, darling Son would be made sin - be made a curse - for
a vile, wretched sinner like me. He knew it and still, He pronounced the
curse: "For he that is hanged is accursed of God."
"Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for
us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree."
(Galatians 3:13)
How Deep The Father's Love For Us
Stuart Townend
How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the man upon a cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom