October 22, 2020
The book of Exodus tells the story of the birth of the nation of Israel fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham. From the seventy descendants of Jacob, Israel was fruitful and multiplied greatly until they filled the whole land of Egypt. After four centuries of slavery, God answers the cries of His people for deliverance. God raises up Moses for this calling, to lead his people out of bondage to a land of promise and deliverance.
Some of the greatest stories of the Bible are featured in Exodus—from the Ten Plagues, and the Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. The Passover lamb, the exodus from the land of Egypt, the seven feasts, the tabernacle, and even the high priest, are all foreshadows of the ministry of Christ.
Chapters 1-18 contains the events leading up to God’s delivering the Hebrews from their captivity in Egypt, and chapters 19-40 shares the events in the wilderness and the account of God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai to direct the life and worship of the nation.
Exodus 22
1 “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. He shall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.
5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.
6 “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution.
7 “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. 9 For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.
10 “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, 11 an oath by the Lord shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.
14 “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee.
Laws About Social Justice
16 “If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins.
18 “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.
19 “Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.
20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction.
21 “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.
25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.
28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.
29 “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. 30 You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.
31 “You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Reflection:
- God had delivered the nation of Israel from bondage to Egypt and made them a free people. They were no longer under monarchial rule under a pharaoh but were now under theocratic rule with God as their king. The commands God gave the people for living as a society, were ultimately commands for how they would live as God’s people. What are your thoughts about how specific God was about making oaths and how to make restitution for damaging or stealing property?
- God wants his people to live holy lives because they worship a holy God. Verses 16-21 address specific commands regarding moral purity and social justice. Why did God require a man to pay a price if he morally mistreated a virgin?
- Why was there a death penalty for the offenses in verses 18-20? What does this say about God’s view of his people engaging in moral and spiritual impurity?
- Why do you believe God cared about how the people of Israel treated the sojourner? How is God’s character reflected in this command?
- How does God view the mistreatment of the widow and the fatherless child? What does this say about God’s concern for the oppressed and vulnerable in society?
Prayer: Father God, you are holy and because you saved me, I no longer have a righteousness of my own, but you have declared me righteous because of your sacrifice. Help me to live holy because you are holy. Empower me to live a life set apart from sin. Live your life through me to bring you glory. May I honor you with my speech, behavior, and thoughts each day. Help me to live with integrity and purity. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us guidelines for godliness and for caring about our Covenant relationship with You. You are the One true living God and there is no other. We Love You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
AMEN AND HALLELUJAH!!!! We as the children of God need to live by the laws of God. We need to obey the laws of our society. Laws are made to be obeyed not
broken.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You are a Holy and Righteous God who only seeks the same from us, his children. Help me to live a life pleasing to You and in accordance to Your will. Thank You for Your love and direction. Guide me as I go out into the early today. May I shine brightly and show Your love to all I meet. In Jesus’precious name. Amen
Gracias padre amado por hoy gracias por tu enseñanza gracias por ser mi padre gracias por la familia que me has dado bendícela protégela bendice a todas las familias protege a todas las naciones te entrego el día de hoy mi vida que seas tú a gobernar mis pasos llámame de tú gran amor para dar a todo el que me rodea y pueda brillar resplandecer tu luz aparta nuestro adversario gracias porque eres nuestro Rey de Reyes Señor de Señores el que todo lo puede mi misericordioso amoroso padre celestial a ti sea la gloría por los siglos de los siglos en nombre y por amor de tu hijo amado amén y amén ?
I cry out to God and He answers me, for He is gracious.
Today is my 73rd birthday. I come before the Lord to thank Him for my good health, my family and the blessings He has put into my life. I know the protections He has given me to keep me from evil. I am humbly grateful to Him. His grace and mercy are why I am still enjoying my life. I acknowledge that every good thing in my life comes from my God. Thank you, Lord, for your goodness and mercy. Amen.
Only You, Lord Jesus, meet all our needs. You have met me in all the loneliest and all the happiest moments of my life. Thank you for saving me.
Thank you Lord for providing a structure for society to live in a just and orderly manner, that protects us and gives you glory. Thank you for taking into account those in society that would not be taken care of if abused and taken advantage of, like virgins, but providing for them through this system. What may seem like harsh consequences, only reveals how dangerous some of our choices and behaviors can be, and how much you want to protect us from ourselves. Thank you for caring for the oppressed and vulnerable, such as sojourners, widows and orphans.
Amen to the comments. Lesson our society should learn
2 Thess 3 Paul writes we should work and not expect society to support us if we are physial able to work.
Sunday our pastors did a great job tells us only work 6 days and have a day of rest
Thank you, Lord, for the guardrails.