Dr. Willmouth writes, "These Outlines were prepared for our Sunday Evening Bible Study, as a 2 page handout (front & back), at Trinity Bible Church, Biloxi, Mississippi"

As we begin this section of study, it almost seems like these verses are completely out of context with those which have come before. As you know, we previously studied three of the feasts that Israel was to perform in obedience to God: Passover (which was symbolic of the deliverance from Egypt and the coming Messiah, the Lamb of God), Weeks (which was symbolic of the formal birth of Israel under the Law, and the coming birth of the Church on the Day of Pentecost), and Tabernacles/ Booths (which was symbolic of God's provision to the nomadic Israel, and of the coming Savior who would tabernacle with us). Immediately following these three important Feasts, without warning, the Lord says, "Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates". Why?

Well, there's a very good reason for this. In the Scripture the Lord warned Israel against worship of IDOLS, which are false gods, over 340 TIMES. God told Israel, when she entered the Promised Land, to cast out and utterly abolish every nation where idolatry was found:

SUPPORTING ~ Deuteronomy 7:2-3 "And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them: [3]  Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son."

And to be totally separate from these people. God told Israel that He would not tolerate idolatry. As we enter this section of Scripture, Deuteronomy 16.18 and following, we're going to see that God established Law Enforcement personnel in Israel to PRIMARILY CAPTURE AND PUNISH those who were guilty of idolatry. If idolatry was eradicated, God knew that peace would be maintained in His Kingdom. But if idolatry entered, with its accompanying child sacrifices, orgies, and substance abuse, then His people would decay into the same state of anarchy that possessed the nations whom Israel was going to overthrow.

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:18 "Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates ... "

The justice system that God established for Israel was simple, and yet very effective. First, God established WHO would enforce the judgment "in the gates" (that is, judgment was made at the {sha`ar [shah'-ar]} gates or doorway/ entrance into the city. Easton's states:

"At the gates of cities courts of justice were frequently held, and hence "judges of the gate" are spoken of (Deut. 16:18; 17:8; 21:19; 25:6, 7, etc.). At the gates prophets also frequently delivered their messages (Prov. 1:21; 8:3; Isa. 29:21; Jer. 17:19, 20; 26:10). Criminals were punished without the gates (1 Kings 21:13; Acts 7:59)."

The first Law Enforcement official was the {shaphat [shaw-fat']}, the "Judge". Dr. Willmouth states, 

"These "judges" were civil magistrates. Later in the book of Judges, they were not limited to their towns nor were restricted to magisterial activities but were often military leaders and sometimes, at least, area or national chieftains, though not kings. These men were probably the chief elders from the town who were taken from that city's council of elders (Deut.19:12)."

The second Law Enforcement official mentioned in this text was the {shoter [sho-tare']}, meaning "one who writes". Dr. Willmouth states, 

"There were probably assistants to the judges that functioned as clerks. They probably also implemented the decisions of the judges."

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:19-20 "Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. [20]  That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

These Law Enforcement officials DID NOT enforce the Law by their own whim, but enforced the Law following FOUR righteous standards:

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:19a " ... Thou shalt not wrest judgment ..."

"Wrest" is the Hebrew {natah [naw-taw']}, which means "to stretch out, twist, bend, or pervert". God gave Israel a series of Law, His Word, and He expected The Judges and Baliffs to carry out that Law to the letter. Their actions were to conform to the pattern of the Law - which also implies that they were to be people of good character, living by that same standard in their own lives.

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:19b "... thou shalt not respect {nakar [naw-kar'], show favoritism toward} persons ..."

Just as God measures everyone by the SAME RULE, by the same righteous standard, by the light of His Word. God cannot be bought or bribed. We cannot play, "Let's Make A Deal" with the Almighty - we either follow His standard, or suffer His consequences. This is not a popular concept in our modern day society, nor was it a popular concept when it was unveiled to the ancient Israelite. Just as there is no "no respect of persons with God" (Romans 2.11), God expects His judicial representatives to follow the same standard of conduct.

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:19c " ... neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous ..."

Accepting a bribe {shachad [shakh'-ad]}, or a reward, or ANYTHING AT ALL in relationship to the judgment was wrong, for the reward distorts the ability of the judge to act equally and fairly to everyone. The Scripture says:

SUPPORTING ~ 2 Chronicles 19:7  "Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts."

Again, since God takes no gifts or bribes, He demands that His legal representatives follow the same standard. The Scripture tells us that God says, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalm 50.10). Since this is true, He will provide the need of His people, especially of those who are obedient to His Word. His judges do NOT need to take bribes in order to have sustenance. Finally, 

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:20a "... That which is altogether just shalt thou follow ..."

Young's Literal Translation says, "Righteousness--righteousness thou dost pursue". The Bible in Basic English renders this "Let righteousness be your guide". Moffatt translates this verse as, "justice, justice you must aim at". The sense of the Scripture is this: the Judges and Baliffs were to KEEP THEIR EYES on the target of Justice. They were to CONCENTRATE on justice, to realize HOW IMPORTANT their duty was, and not get side tracked by other issues. Judges and Baliffs were not appointed by God to COMPROMISE His Word for the sake of peace. When the Judges and Baliffs, the Law Enforcement officials became corrupted from righteousness, when they substituted their own agenda from God's clear commanded Law, THEN God sent that nation into captivity to punish them for their failure. The Scripture says:

SUPPORTING ~ Isaiah 5:13-20 "Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge: and their honourable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst. [14]  Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. [15]  And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled: [16]  But the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness. [17]  Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat. [18] Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope: [19]  That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work, that we may see it: and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
[20]  Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

When the Law Enforcement officials ceased performing their duties righteously, then God Himself became a Judge over the whole nation, and cast Israel into bondage. What a terrible consequence! How to avoid this judgment from God? Refuse to compromise with the world of unbelievers, no matter what! This is emphasized in the next verses:

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:21-22; 17:1  "Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God, which thou shalt make thee. [22]  Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth. [17:1]Thou shalt not sacrifice unto the LORD thy God any bullock, or sheep, wherein is blemish, or any evilfavouredness: for that is an abomination unto the LORD thy God."

It is interesting to note that LEGAL TRAINING is NOT stated as a requirement for Law Enforcement. Obedience to God, a focused and reverent heart, and integrity of character were more important to our Lord than "technical skill". Let's look at our focal verses:

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:21 "Thou shalt not plant thee a grove of any trees near unto the altar of the LORD thy God ..."

It was a common practice among idolaters to worship their false gods in groves of trees (for many idolatrous practices were tied to nature worship and Wicca, witchcraft, the goddess earth, and so on). To prevent even "the appearance of evil" the Lord demanded that none of His altars be established near groves of trees, lest the people misunderstand and fall into idolatry. As the Scripture says, 

SUPPORTING ~ Ephesians 4:27  "Neither give place to the devil"

If you give the devil an opportunity, believe me, he WILL take it. Law Enforcement was therefore commanded to STAY FOCUSED on their job, and refuse to give the Devil an opportunity to come in to God's nation.

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 16:22 "Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; which the LORD thy God hateth ... "

Matthew Henry states, 

"Care is taken for the due administration of justice. All personal regards must be laid aside, so that right is done to all, and wrong to none. Care is taken to prevent following the idolatrous customs of the heathen. Nothing belies God more, or tends more to corrupt the minds of men, than representing and worshipping, by an image, that God, who is an almighty and eternal Spirit, present every where. Alas! even in gospel days, and under a better dispensation, established upon better promises, there is a tendency to set up idols, under one form or another, in the human heart"

The judges were to be constantly on the lookout lest evil, under another name, come into Israel and be worshipped. The pagans often used an ASHERAH, a carved pole or "sacred pillar", to worship their false gods when a grove of trees was unavailable. The judges were to reject any arguments that "this pole's not the same as a grove of trees" - God demanded that NOTHING false be worshipped, only Him and Him alone.

Though the priests were normally responsible for maintaining the purity of the offering made to God, there was no "separation of Church and State" in Israel. The religious and civil arms of the State worked together to insure that the Lord was honored - after all, this was HIS people, the sheep of HIS pasture. Law Enforcement oversaw the Levitical sacrifices and, if these sacrifices were unacceptable, they were RULED UNACCEPTABLE. Conversely, the priests oversaw the Judicial system, for we read in:

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 17:8-10 "If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; [9]  And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: [10]  And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee"

If local Law Enforcement could not reach a verdict, if "there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment", then local Law Enforcement was to approach "the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days". With these words the Lord gave Israel both an IMMEDIATE as well as a FUTURE remedy for HUNG TRIALS. Local Law Enforcement officials were to go to the Levites, the priests, for a decision in the event that they were unable to come to a decision locally. The priests, keepers of God's Word, were in an ideal position to get justice "back on track". This passage also looks forward to the future time of the Judges, of whom Easton's states: 

"This is the name given to those rulers who presided over the affairs of the Israelites during the interval between the death of Joshua and the accession of Saul (Judg. 2:18), a period of general anarchy and confusion. "The office of judges or regents was held during life, but it was not hereditary, neither could they appoint their successors. Their authority was limited by the law alone, and in doubtful cases they were directed to consult the divine King through the priest by Urim and Thummim ** (Num. 27:21). Their authority extended only over those tribes by whom they had been elected or acknowledged. There was no income attached to their office, and they bore no external marks of dignity."

(**Easton's, "What the "Urim and Thummim" were cannot be determined with any certainty. All we certainly know is that they were a certain divinely-given means by which God imparted, through the high priest, direction and counsel to Israel when these were needed. The method by which this was done can be only a matter of mere conjecture. They were apparently material objects, quite distinct from the breastplate, but something added to it after all the stones had been set in it, something in addition to the breastplate and its jewels. They may have been, as some suppose, two small images, like the teraphim (comp. Judg. 17:5; 18:14, 17, 20; Hos. 3:4), which were kept in the bag of the breastplate, by which, in some unknown way, the high priest could give forth his divinely imparted decision when consulted. They were probably lost at the destruction of the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. They were never seen after the return from captivity")

Now, how was Local Law Enforcement to pursue alleged offenders. Look at this text carefully:

FOCAL ~ Deuteronomy 17:4-5 "And it be told thee, and thou hast heard of it, and inquired diligently, and, behold, it be true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought in Israel: [5]  Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die."

Look at the ORDER which Law Enforcement was to follow:

First, witnesses were to come forward who were trustworthy to level the charges. Idolatry was a CAPITAL OFFENSE in Israel, and God DEMANDED that there be at least TWO WITNESSES to the sin. Everyone in Israel was presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one's character was put at the mercy of any one uncorroborated witness. God even went a step farther:

~~ FOCAL ~~ Deuteronomy 17:6-7 "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. [7]  The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you."

The accuserS were responsible to later, IF the alleged offender was found guilty, be the FIRST ONES to cast the stones of death. If one came forward who was a FALSE WITNESS, or two conspired together to make a false witness against an innocent person, God had a simple remedy for this:

SUPPORTING ~ Deuteronomy 19:18-19 "And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; [19]  Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you."

The penalty that the false witness would have brought on the innocent is TURNED AROUND, so that he would suffer the same penalty. If death by stoning was the penalty, then the innocent would be allowed to pick up a stone and the false witness(es) would be stoned to death. A harsh penalty, yes, but God demanded that His nation remain wholly devoted to His Law.

Continuing with the order of Law Enforcement, we see in Deuteronomy 17:4

Nothing ever happens in a vacuum. If one was guilty of idolatry, it was nearly certain that others would have heard of it. But Law Enforcement was not to take rumors as gospel truth, but was to

{darash [daw-rash'] + yatab [yaw-tab']}, leave no stone unturned! Research the matter yourself, don't leave it to another. Dig until you find the truth, 

Then and only then could the death penalty be enacted.

Is there a New Testament application for all this? Well, I could bring out the truth that a nation only remains standing as long as it remains true to its foundation in Jesus Christ. The Israelites found out repeatedly that, when they walked away from their Maker, they became lost as a national entity. This was not only true for the Israelites, but for many other nations as well. How many Canaanites have you met in your lifetime? Have you ever heard of an Assyrian, or met one? What of Babylon - do you know a Babylonian. And Egypt, which was at one time the greatest nation on earth, is today only considered to be a Third World power. In more modern times, what happened to the greatness of Germany who murdered some 6 million Jews, and millions of others of other nationalities. Until recently, Germany was divided among her enemies, and even now ranks below a Third World nation in power. 

ILLUSTRATION ~ "Had the people, during the Revolution, had any suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, that Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle ... At the time of the adoption of the constitution and the amendments, the universal sentiment was that Christianity should be encouraged, not any one sect ... in this age there can be no substitute for Christianity ... That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants ... the great vital and conservative element in our system is the belief of our people in the pure doctrines and divine truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." -- from the House Judiciary Committee Report, March 27, 1854: after a one year study brought about by a suit to force the separation of church and state 

For a nation to remain strong, it absolutely needs the support of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Creator of All. This is true for a nation, a people, or a person. Reject Jesus, turn to idolatry, and lose that which you hold dear.

Another application is this: Just as the local Justices and the common people (the witnesses) were to keep their section of Israel pure in YAHVAH, it is our responsibility to keep our local Church pure and focused on Jesus Christ and His Word. Several New Testament Scriptures give us VERY CLEAR procedures to follow in Church discipline yet, sadly, few Churches follow these procedures today. Those who do are considered "intolerant" or "legalistic" or "self-righteous" - yet here is what Jesus says:

SUPPORTING ~ Matthew 18:15 "Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault BETWEEN THEE AND HIM ALONE: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother."

ANCILLARY ~ Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, YE WHICH ARE SPIRITUAL, RESTORE SUCH AN ONE IN THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."

First, just as within Israel, the error is to be resolved at the LOWEST LEVEL POSSIBLE. This is contrary to the way it usually works - I'm offended, so I tell everyone BUT the one who offended me. This is why local Churches fall apart and split, because offenses are not handled at the lowest level. If you are offended, you are to go to the one who offended you IN PRIVATE and IN THE SPIRIT OF MEEKNESS. This is not to be a contest, a shouting match, nor a "I'm righter than you are" competition. Remember, just as the offender hurt you, you too are human, and have and will hurt someone in a similar manner in your lifetime. If, after you have approached the offender, and he or she will not reason with you to resolve the issue, then:

SUPPORTING ~ Matthew 18:16  "But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established."

Just as it required TWO OR MORE WITNESSES to convict an offender in Israel, Jesus commanded that we again approach the offensive believer and, with witnesses present, in the spirit of meekness seek to resolve the issue. The witnesses insure two things: first, they will be able to speak on your behalf if the issue has to go farther, if the offender will not repent. Second, YOU may actually be at fault. If so, the witnesses will be able to help take the blinders off of your eyes, and thus resolve the issue. Finally:

SUPPORTING ~ Matthew 18:17  "And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican"

The Church is the last that should hear of the matter. The entire congregation is enlisted to help resolve the conflict, and to restore the fellowship to Christian righteousness. The Church is the LAST to hear of the offense, not the first. If the offender refuses to hear the Word of the Lord then he or she is considered HEATHEN, until such time as they repent.