(REFLECTIONS ON Deuteronomy 22:1-12)

1 If you see your fellow Israelite’s ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to its owner. 2 If they do not live near you or if you do not know who owns it, take it home with you and keep it until they come looking for it. Then give it back. 3 Do the same if you find their donkey or cloak or anything else they have lost. Do not ignore it. 4 If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.

Today’s Scripture, reminds us of the responsibility we have to God and to our community of believers. Just as the Israelite’s were to look out for their neighbors when their ox or sheep strayed away, so are we as a church community to look out for each other as God’s family. Do not ignore it means that we don’t just look the other way when we see a brother or sister in need, but do what we can to lend a helping hand, to live out a life of brotherly and sisterly love.

Do not ignore it is one of the core responsibilities of a church community, because it is at the foundation of what makes a community.

We are a family of God, and do not ignore it reminds us that we should look out for one another. It also reminds us that we are not to discriminate and only care for those that we get along with, that we like, or that are similar to us. Do not ignore it challenges us to care for one another no matter what.

In the Gospel of Luke, we read the story of the Good Samaritan (Ref. Luke 10:30-37). In the story, a Jewish man is beaten and left half dead. Both a Jewish priest and Levite pass by ignoring him. The shocking thing about this story, was that it was a Samaritan, a cultural enemy of the Jew, that was the one that stopped and helped him.

Do not ignore it reminds us of our responsibility as a church community to one another, but the story of the Good Samaritan challenges us, because it shows us a shameful image of the outsider, the enemy, the least likely person being the neighbor of the Jewish man, while his own community ignored him.

Brothers and sisters, do not ignore it, for if we ignore it, then the world, and those outside of our faith community may end up showing more love than we do for our own, and that should be to our shame.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy 22