One of the first responses to the Old Testament law as given in Deuteronomy is that it does not seem very forgiving. It seems to lay out very plain consequences for any of the injustices mentioned: small injustices have less severe consequences, large injustices have very severe consequences. Unlike our current laws in the US there is no room for “mitigating circumstances.” Injustice will not be tolerated.
A scan of the laws in Deuteronomy will also show a high value given for dignity, even law breakers have dignity. This particularly struck me in the case where if there is a fight between two men, if the wife of one of the men tires to help out her husband, but in the process grabs the other’s “private part” then her hand should be cut off. This kind of value of dignity is further seen in Davids refusal to lay a hand on King Saul and in the archangel Michael’s refusal to “slander” Satan. But as I consider this high value of dignity, I think of the lack of it on display in our culture.
In our current culture, many give a high value to such things as sacriligious humor, lack of respect for others and self-centeredness. Our popular music and television programs are filled with irreverance and sexual immorality: attitudes that reflect a lack of respect for others.
Transcendent Touched 