Deuteronomy 23:2 (NASB): “No one of illegitimate birth shall enter the assembly of the Lord; none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the Lord.”
I was adopted when I was about 10 months old. My birth mother was a single parent and my birth father had long since left the vicinity of where my birth mother lived. I can remember when I first read this particular verse in the Bible when I was a young man and thinking to myself, “Well, that’s not good!”
One of the things that is sometimes difficult to understand, especially in the Old Testament, is how God illustrated or emphasized spiritual truths in His dealings with Israel, of which the above-quoted restriction would be one of these truths.
In the Old Testament, the term “the assembly of the Lord” often refers to the congregation or gathering of God’s people, particularly when they are gathered for worship or to receive divine instructions. While it can encompass various contexts where God’s people gather, it can also specifically refer to gatherings at the Tabernacle, which served as the central place of worship and interaction with God for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, as but one example. Therefore, in some instances, “the assembly of the Lord” may be associated with the tabernacle of the Old Testament.
The “assembly of the Lord” is or can be another name given to the Tabernacle, which as most of us know, illustrates many of God’s truths in physical and material representation so that we can more readily comprehend God’s truths, such as the holiness of God and the consequences of our sinful nature.
In the context of God’s dealings with Israel, as outlined in the Old Testament, illegitimate birth typically refers to a child born out of wedlock or born from a union that is not recognized as legitimate according to the laws and customs of Israel. In the biblical worldview, marriage is considered sacred and is intended to be a covenant relationship between one man and one woman. Children born within the bounds of this covenant relationship are considered legitimate, while those born outside of it may be deemed illegitimate.
Consequently, in the context of Deuteronomy 23:2, illegitimate birth would define a child that is born out of wedlock and in my particular case, that would be me. And Deuteronomy 23:2 could indicate the absence of inclusion within God’s people as it pertains to myself. And then we have the further stipulation that “none of his descendants, even to the tenth generation, shall enter the assembly of the Lord.” In the context of the mentioned Scripture, Deuteronomy 23:2, the significance of the number ten is related to the generations of descendants who are affected by the restriction.
The use of “even to the tenth generation” emphasizes a lasting consequence for those born of certain forbidden relationships. In ancient Israelite culture, genealogy and lineage were highly valued, and specific regulations regarding entry into the assembly of the Lord were outlined. The number ten is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent completeness or fullness. In this context, the inclusion of “even to the tenth generation” may indeed underscore the thoroughness of the restriction and the enduring nature of the consequences for those born of forbidden unions.
So, as you can imagine, having read this Scripture for the first time, I needed to know if this restriction applied to me. Of course, I knew that my genealogy and lineage was not of Israel, but rather from those identified as being Gentile.
The connection between the Old Testament restrictions and the New Testament concept of being born again, and the love of God for His children through the Son are addressed through various passages in the New Testament:
Being Born Again: In the New Testament, Jesus introduces the concept of being “born again” or “born from above” as a spiritual rebirth. This transformation is necessary for entering the kingdom of God.
Scripture Reference – John 3:3 (NASB):
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Children of God through Faith in Christ: Believers are considered children of God through faith in Jesus Christ. This new birth is not of human descent but of the Spirit, making believers part of the family of God.
Scripture Reference – John 1:12-13 (NASB):
”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
God’s Love for His Children: The New Testament emphasizes the profound love that God the Father has for His children, a love that mirrors the love He has for His Son, Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reference – John 17:23 (NASB):
”I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You loved Me.”
Scripture Reference – 1 John 3:1 (NASB):
”See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.”
Believers as Joint Heirs with Christ: Believers are not only children of God but are also considered joint heirs with Christ, sharing in the inheritance of eternal life.
Scripture Reference – Romans 8:17 (NASB):
”And if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
The Old Testament restrictions highlight the importance of spiritual lineage, while the New Testament reveals that believers, through faith in Christ, experience a spiritual rebirth, becoming beloved children of God. The love God has for His children is profound, resembling the love He has for His Son, Jesus Christ. This relationship is based on faith, not on human descent or earthly lineage.
Colossians 1:13: “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
In Colossians 1:13, the term “beloved Son” uses the Greek word “ἀγαπητός” (agapētos), which is derived from the root word “ἀγάπη” (agapē), commonly associated with God’s selfless, unconditional love. It is indeed the same root as the word “agápē” used in John 17:23. So, in both Colossians 1:13 and John 17:23, the term “beloved” is associated with the concept of agape love, which signifies a deep, sacrificial, and divine love. In Colossians, it emphasizes the Son’s unique and cherished status in the Kingdom, while in John, it highlights the profound love that the Father has for both Jesus and those who believe in Him.
When Paul states that the Son is beloved, and uses the same Greek term, we are to understand that the love the Father has for His Son is the same love He has for us, as we are in the Son and Jesus is the Beloved Son.
Adoption
Interestingly enough, in the New Testament, the term “adopted” is used metaphorically to describe the relationship between believers and God through Jesus Christ. When believers trust in Jesus for salvation, we are spiritually adopted into the family of God. This adoption signifies a profound transformation of identity and status.
The concept of adoption is beautifully expressed in several passages, notably in the writings of the apostle Paul. One prominent example is found in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, where he writes: “In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:4-6, ESV). This would be in keeping withRomans 8:29-30 which states: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.”
So what did I learn from all of this you may ask?
It turns out that in our original state, we are all illegitimate and if we remain that way, the consequences of being separated from God are complete. We do need to be “born again” to be adopted by God to enter into His Kingdom. And thusly, John 1:12-13 (NASB) is applicable:
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
And I, among countless others, having received Him, am in good company!
Worthy is the Lamb! Blessings!
The Domain for Truth 