231 No man whose private parts have been wounded or cut off may come into the meeting of the Lord's people. 2 One whose father and mother are not married may not come into the meeting of the Lord's people, or any of his family to the tenth generation. 3 No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their people to the tenth generation may come into the meeting of the Lord's people: 4 Because they gave you no bread or water on your way, when you came out of Egypt: and they got Balaam, the son of Peor, from Pethor in Aram-naharaim to put curses on you. 5 But the Lord your God would not give ear to Balaam, but let the curse be changed into a blessing to you, because of his love for you. 6 Do nothing for their peace or well-being for ever. 7 But have no hate for an Edomite, because he is your brother, or for an Egyptian, for you were living in his land. 8 Their children in the third generation may come into the meeting of the Lord's people.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:1-8
Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:1-8
(Read Deuteronomy 23:1-8)
We ought to value the privileges of God's people, both for ourselves and for our children, above all other advantages. No personal blemishes, no crimes of our forefathers, no difference of nation, shuts us out under the Christian dispensation. But an unsound heart will deprive us of blessings; and a bad example, or an unsuitable marriage, may shut our children from them.