The name Deuteronomy means "second law". It is Moses’ final address to the people. It covers the last 1 ½ months of Moses’ life. He’s 120 years old. It’s God’s "review" for the people to make sure they understand His ways before they go into the land.

wounded in the stones – a eunuch.

Edom was the land of Esau, who was the brother of Jacob or Israel.

This all sounds pretty grim and harsh. But there’s a balance to it all:

Also,

Learn to clean up your messes. Flush the toilet.

God is acquainted with our most intimate ways.

Israel was to go against the custom of the nations around them. Instead of returning a runaway slave to its master, they were to find refuge in Israel.

I wonder how those in the south during the Civil War handled verses like this.

whore … sodomite – female and male prostitutes

dog – another term for a male prostitute.

Don’t charge interest to other Israelites when you loan to them.

You can charge interest to those who were not Israelites.

Don’t make promises to God that you don’t keep.

But it’s okay not to be making promises to God.

This was called "gleaning". You were allowed to go into a field and pluck grapes or grain to keep you from starving. You were not allowed to take advantage of the "gleaning laws" by going in and outright harvesting your neighbor’s field.

uncleanness – `erva – nakedness, nudity, shame, indecency, improper behaviour

This section has been the subject of much controversy over the ages. Just what is the definition of "uncleanness"? What is allowable in divorce?

In other words … remarry.

The point is to not start wife swapping.

Jesus was questioned about these verses because of the strange opinions on divorce in His day:

(Mat 19:1-12 NLT) After Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went southward to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. {2} Vast crowds followed him there, and he healed their sick. {3} Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: "Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife for any reason?" {4} "Haven't you read the Scriptures?" Jesus replied. "They record that from the beginning 'God made them male and female.' {5} And he said, 'This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' {6} Since they are no longer two but one, let no one separate them, for God has joined them together." {7} "Then why did Moses say a man could merely write an official letter of divorce and send her away?" they asked. {8} Jesus replied, "Moses permitted divorce as a concession to your hard-hearted wickedness, but it was not what God had originally intended. {9} And I tell you this, a man who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery--unless his wife has been unfaithful." {10} Jesus' disciples then said to him, "Then it is better not to marry!" {11} "Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps. {12} Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made that way by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone who can, accept this statement."

(Mat 19:1-12 KJV) And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; {2} And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. {3} The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? {4} And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, {5} And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? {6} Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. {7} They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? {8} He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. {9} And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. {10} His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with his wife, it is not good to marry. {11} But he said unto them, All men cannot receive this saying, save they to whom it is given. {12} For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.

Again, I don’t think this means to stop your ministry at the church. But you should stop the kinds of things that might kill you.

If a guy defaults on his loan to you, you don’t take away his means of making a living.

No kidnapping.

Watch out for that leprosy stuff.

Each person is responsible for their own sin.

Don’t take every last little olive. Leave the leftovers for the poor of the land. Let them glean.

Don’t forget where you’ve come from.