Deuteronomy 23 · Grade 5
What Has Gone Out of Your Lips
Read and Think
Deuteronomy 23 regulates membership in the assembly of Yahweh. Ammon and Moab were barred because they refused Israel bread and water and hired Balaam to curse them, but Yahweh your God turned the curse into a blessing to you, because He loved you. Yet Edomites were brothers and Egyptians had been hosts, so they must not be despised. Ruth the Moabitess later shows that faith could bring outsiders into God's people.
Because God walked in the middle of the camp to save and give victory, the camp must be holy and clean. In striking contrast to ancient law codes, a slave who escaped to Israel must not be returned or oppressed. Israel must not lend at interest to a brother, so that the poor would not be crushed by debt.
Vows were voluntary, but binding once made: you shall observe and do that which has gone out of your lips. Jesus later taught that our ordinary words should be trustworthy without oaths (Matthew 5:37). The chapter ends with neighborly hospitality. A traveler could eat his fill of grapes or pluck ears of grain by hand, but not use a basket or sickle. Generosity and honesty went together.
Show What You Know
Why did God turn Balaam's curse into a blessing?
Who shows that faith could bring outsiders into God's people?
How did the escaped slave law contrast with ancient law codes?
What did Jesus teach about ordinary words?
What could a traveler not use in a neighbor's field?
Crossword
Across
- Do not use one in your neighbor's grain.
Down
- God turned the curse into a ____.
- You may eat your fill of them.
- God walks in the middle of your ____.
Think About It
God turned a curse into a blessing because He loved Israel. Where have you seen God bring good out of something bad?
How can you make your yes mean yes this week?
Memory Verse
“You shall observe and do that which has gone out of your lips. Whatever you have vowed to Yahweh your God as a free will offering, which you have promised with your mouth, you must do.”
Deuteronomy 23:23 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for keeping every promise. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What does it mean that God walks in the camp?
- How can you shelter someone who is hurting?
- What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.