Deuteronomy 22:8 – Consider the needs of others

The children of Israel were to be a big caring family of God. They belonged to each other and had to be concerned for each other. They were called not to live for themselves only but also for God and for one another. The call of Leviticus 19:18 was for them to love their neighbors as themselves. So even in building their houses, they had to consider the safety of others. 

In Deuteronomy 22:8, they were instructed to make a parapet on the roof of their houses. Why the necessity for building a parapet? It is because houses in those days had flat roofs. The parapet was needed to prevent anyone from falling when they went up to the roof. More than a safety concern, this instruction was given to prevent the house owner and family from suffering a guilt-stricken conscience because of someone’s accidental fall from his roof.

This instruction has a much deeper implication than just a safety concern. Through it, we can sense the call of God to consider others in the things we do. We are not to be concerned only for our own needs but also for the needs of others as well. In a self-centered world, it is easy for anyone of us to develop a “me”, “mine”, and “I” mentality. The kind that wants to be exclusive. But as Christians, our attitude must be broader. Philippians 2:3-4 say that we are to “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Self-centredness is certainly not God’s way for us to do life. Being a member of the family of Christ, we need to accommodate one another in our living. Remember we are called to build up one another, so let’s do it willingly!