今天的經文很多，但內容很吸引人，包括了許多「若……就」的問題，那是進入迦南後必定會發生的事，摩西所規定的事項，涵蓋了如何潔淨棄屍之地，如何處理爭訟毆打的事，誰不可入耶和華的會，如何避免從家中被除名，借貸等金錢來往，凡此種種規定，都為要在應許之地能安居樂業，聖潔和睦。

        上帝的愛是何等長濶高深！祂關心動物虐待及物種保留嗎？祂在乎市場的斤兩秤頭、高利貸款嗎？
        今天的經文都是些瑣瑣碎碎的記載，可做這，不可做那，剛開始或許令人厭煩，但仔細想想，上帝關心百姓生活的細節，只要是跟人民有關的祂都管，祂的愛甚至延伸到動物：牛在場上踹榖的時候，不可籠住牠的嘴(25：4)；若你在路上遇見鳥窩，不可連雛帶鳥一併取走(22：6)。
        看顧你我的，不就是這位創造天地的主宰嗎！何等有福啊！從經文中再找出三件事，證明上帝的看顧及保守，並讀馬太福音六章二十五到三十四節，那位看顧麻雀的上帝也看顧你！

        責打四十一下
        二十五章中有關笞責之事絕非用來嚴刑逼供，而是在認錯後的懲罰，即使如此，也不過四十一下，以保個人尊嚴。猶太人從字面遵守「笞責之限」律例，卻有失原始精神(參看林後11：24)。

自有永有、一無所缺的上帝，對一切的受造物都厚愛眷顧。

English

        Today's reading is long, but it contains fascinating insights into some "what if" questions that will no doubt arise once the people are in the land. Moses covers such topics as how to purify the land from an unsolved murder, how to administer capital punishment, who is eligible for membership in the congregation and who is excluded, bow to avoid the extinction of a family name, when and how money may be loaned for interest. Such regulations are essential if the people of God are to live in peace and purity in the Promised Land.

        Is God concerned about things like cruelty to animals and preservation of the species? How about accurate scales at the meat market and protection from loan sharks? All of the above and more are discussed in today's reading. At first you may have thought you'd stumbled across a disjointed collection of do's and don'ts. But keep the big picture in mind. God is interested in every detail of life. Whatever affects His people concerns Him. His love and compassion extend even to the treatment of animals: 'Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn" (25:4). "If a bird's nest chance to be before thee in the way . .. thou shalt not take the dam [mother] with the young" (22:6), thus preserving the species.
        Aren't you glad the God who created and sustains nature is also the God who created and sustains you? Write down three other evidences of God's care from today's reading. Then read Matthew 6:25-34. The God who looks after lilies and sparrows is looking after you!

        The Forty-first Blow Is a No-No
        In chapter 25 you will read about the place of corporal punishment in the life of the nation. It was never to be used to extract a confession, and was only to be applied after the suspect was found guilty. Even in punishment, the dignity of the individual was to be preserved. The Jews kept the letter of the "40-lash limitation" law but not the spirit of it (see 2 Corinthians 11:24).

God, who needs nothing, brings into existence wholly unnecessary creatures so that He may love and perfect them.