Deuteronomy 23:1-8 is about people who can and cannot ″enter the assembly of the Lord″ (v. 1). This assembly consisted of Israelite adults who gathered for worship at festivals at the tabernacle and later at the Jerusalem temple (see 16:1-17). These exclusions were related to Israel being called to be ″a kingdom of priests and a holy nation″ (Exodus 19:6). Maintaining ritual purity was an important aspect of this unique identity. Therefore, some people were excluded from some crucial gatherings because they were viewed as ritually (not morally) unclean.

Eunuchs were excluded because mutilation of the male organ is abhorrent to God (Deuteronomy 23:1). Now, God's kingdom incorporates eunuchs (Acts 8:29-39) and repentant people who once committed sins that should have disqualified them from entering the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).

Children ″born of a forbidden marriage″ were also prohibited (Deuteronomy 23:2); that is, children born out of wedlock, incest, or a marriage that broke God's law, such as marrying an idolater (Leviticus 18:6-23). These prohibitions were needed early in Israel's history to remind them of the seriousness of these violations. The prohibitions have been removed in the new covenant community (Galatians 3:28). Forgiving grace erases sinful actions, and children are freed from the consequences of their parents' disobedience.

Ammonites and Moabites were excluded because they ″did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam . . . to pronounce a curse on you″ (Deuteronomy 23:4). The Ammonites and Moabites lived in areas that were not part of the promised land to be given to Israel, so God asked the people to go through this land without any conflict. But they were to purchase food and water from them (see Deuteronomy 2:1-9). The Israelites were now not to forget that this request was rejected. In cultures with high community solidarity, historical enmities persist from generation to generation. Before reconciliation, there needs to be a penitent acknowledgement of historical wrongs done. The failure to do this is cause for a lot of the racial conflict we are seeing today.

In verses 7-8, the people are told to treat kindly the Edomites (descendants of Esau), and the Egyptians (to whom Israel was indebted for hosting them). They are permitted to ″enter the assembly″, presumably after being incorporated into the covenant people of God. The conversion of Gentiles was anticipated even during Moses' time.

In verses 9-14, rules are given to ensure that military camps are kept clean and ritually pure because ″God moves about in your camp″ (v. 14). The camp is thus a holy place. Thus, ritually (not morally) unclean people, like those who have had a nocturnal emission, and things such as excrement, should not be found in the camp.

While today's passage contains many rules that sound somewhat strange to us, it has some abiding values to teach us. Foremost among these is that we must not permit anything to enter our lives that is unbecoming of followers of the holy God we worship.