Bible: Deuteronomy 17:8-13; 33:8-11

Appeal to a Higher Court

17:8 If a matter is too difficult for you to judge – bloodshed, 1  legal claim, 2  or assault 3  – matters of controversy in your villages 4  – you must leave there and go up to the place the Lord your God chooses. 5  17:9 You will go to the Levitical priests and the judge in office in those days and seek a solution; they will render a verdict. 17:10 You must then do as they have determined at that place the Lord chooses. Be careful to do just as you are taught. 17:11 You must do what you are instructed, and the verdict they pronounce to you, without fail. Do not deviate right or left from what they tell you. 17:12 The person who pays no attention 6  to the priest currently serving the Lord your God there, or to the verdict – that person must die, so that you may purge evil from Israel. 17:13 Then all the people will hear and be afraid, and not be so presumptuous again.

33:8 Esau 1  then asked, “What did you intend 2  by sending all these herds to meet me?” 3  Jacob 4  replied, “To find favor in your sight, my lord.” 33:9 But Esau said, “I have plenty, my brother. Keep what belongs to you.” 33:10 No, please take them,” Jacob said. 5 If I have found favor in your sight, accept 6  my gift from my hand. Now that I have seen your face and you have accepted me, 7  it is as if I have seen the face of God. 8  33:11 Please take my present 9  that was brought to you, for God has been generous 10  to me and I have all I need.” 11  When Jacob urged him, he took it. 12 

NET Bible Study Environment