In this series, we are examining some of the many commandments which are contained in the Law of Moses. It is our aim to understand them better, build faith, and answer critics. We are considering them topically.
1. Circumcision. Male Hebrew children were to be circumcised (Leviticus 12:1-8 cf. Genesis 17:9-14).
Why? It was to be a sign of the covenant between the LORD and Abraham, and his descendants (Genesis 17:9-11). It was a constant reminder of the blessings which God promised through Abraham (cf. Genesis 12:1-3; 17:1-8). William Grasham comments, “God evidently commanded circumcision as a special sign for the benefit of the one who was circumcised. Every time he had an awareness of his body, he was reminded that he was one of the covenant people of God” (Truth For Today Commentary: Genesis Vol. 1, p. 485).
Circumcision was to be done on the 8th day of the child’s life. Why the 8th day? (1) Some have suggested that it implies human participation. Dennis Prager comments, “By being performed on the eighth day, circumcision comes to symbolize man’s part in creation. God created for six days and rested on the seventh; on the eighth day, we humans take over” (The Rational Bible: Exodus, p. 204). That is: we now have a role to play. Perhaps, but this is not abundantly clear. (2) There seems to be medical reasons. Bert Thompson and Wayne Jackson write, “Why the eighth day? In 1935 Professor H. Dam proposed the name for ‘Vitamin K’ for the factor in foods with help prevent hemorrhaging in baby chicks. We now know that vitamin K is responsible for the production of prothrombin by the liver. If vitamin K is deficient there will be a prothrombin deficiency and hemorrhaging may occur, since both vitamin K and prothrombin are necessary for proper blood clotting. Oddly enough, it is only on the 5th through 7th days of the newborn male’s life that vitamin K begins to be produced (the vitamin is normally produced by bacteria action in the intestinal tract). It is only on day eight that the percentage of prothrombin climbs above 100% of normal! The only day in the entire life of the newborn that the blood clotting element prothrombin is that high is day eight. The best day for a surgical procedure like circumcision is therefore day eight. Another lucky guess?” (A Study Course in Christian Evidence, p. 130).
2. Pilgrimage. Males were to attend three great annual feasts (Exodus 23:14-17; 34:22-24; Deuteronomy 16:16-17).
This was a real test of faith. It would be a prime opportunity for enemies to invade. However, God promised, “neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year” (Exodus 34:24). Thomas Horne has said, “their most vigilant enemies never invaded them during the sacred season” (Wayne Jackson, A Study of the Providence of God, p. 10).
3. Provisions. Marriage came with responsibilities. At minimum the husband should provide food, clothing, and marriage (conjugal) rights (Exodus 21:7-11).
The woman in view was first bought as a slave (we will consider slavery in another article). Then, she is betrothed to the master or his son. (1) If the master decides not to marry her, then she may be redeemed. (2) If she is betrothed to his son, then she is to be treated as a daughter. (3) If marriage occurs, but then the man takes another wife, basic rights are not to be diminished. If her basic rights were diminished, she had the right to go free without returning the purchase money. James Burton Coffman comments, “The class of persons protected by these God-given rights was that of secondary wives or concubines” (studylight.org). Polygamy and concubinage was never God’s ideal plan for marriage. This and other laws were designed to protect the poor and women.
However, the rights of women are not what I want to focus on at this point. Instead, I want to focus on male responsibility. He is to provide for his wife. He owes her this.
4. Low blow. Grasping male genitals was not a lawful way to fight, even when one was defending another (Deuteronomy 25:11-12).
Why? Dennis Prager offers these suggestions: (1) “Many scholars note that this law relates to the preceding one because both deal with a man’s ability to father a child.” (2) “It was regarded by the ancient rabbis – as well as by modern non-Jewish scholars – as an example of lex talionis.” If the man had done this to another man something other than a hand would fit lex talionis. However, this is not an option with the woman. (3) “Most scholars also believe this verse refers to a case in which the woman’s husband was not in mortal danger. Had he been in mortal danger, and if what the wife did was necessary to save his life, the Talmud (not to mention common sense) exempts the woman from punishment.” This may seem like a lot of assumptions. However, we should remember that the use of force to defend oneself or others from serious harm or death seems permitted (Genesis 14:1-ff; Exodus 2:2:11-12 cf. Acts 7:23-25; Exodus 22:2-3; Acts 23:11-ff). (4) “Finally, most scholars agree that… the woman is described as having injured the man’s genitalia savagely enough to endanger his ability to reproduce. As having children is a central value in the Torah, depriving someone of the ability to do so is a serious sin” (The Rational Bible: Deuteronomy, pp. 396-398). Furthermore, I would add that there is no record of this being carried out anywhere in scripture. This may have been set forth as a deterrent and to protect men’s vulnerability.
5. Eunuchs. They were excluded from entering the assembly of the LORD (Deuteronomy 23:1).
Why? James Burton Coffman comments, “the reasons are not clear to us. It could be the widespread use of eunuchs in the pagan religions of the times lay behind this prohibition” (studylight.org).
Keep in mind that God’s offer for salvation is for all, even eunuchs (cf. Isaiah 56:3-8). Remember the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-ff).
Bryan Hodge 
It’s Good Sir