Deuteronomy 22-23

“You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray and ignore them. You shall take them back to your brother” (22:1). Despite 3000 years of cultural distance, we can see God’s concern for justice, mutual responsibility, and mercy. Israelites were commanded to care for others in society, such as guarding a neighbor’s property (22:2) and taking safety precautions in their homes (v8). Other rules recognized special vulnerability: women were assumed innocent if attacked in isolated areas (22:25-27) and escaped slaves were protected (23:15).  

“You may not ignore it” (22:3). We are not under Israelite law, yet our hearts should conform to God’s heart. The concerns, troubles, and vulnerabilities of our neighbors are ours, too.