Exodus 21-22

Review…

• Chapters 1-19 – First half of the book of Exodus…
  • Chapters 1-12 – The slavery of the Children of Israel – the 10 plagues of Egypt…
  • Chapters 13-15 – God led Israel into the wilderness by way of the Red Sea crossing….
  • Chapter 16-18 – LOTS of doubt – no water / no- food – strike the Rock / Manna!
  • Chapters 20-40 – Second half of the book of Exodus…
  • In order for God to make Israel His nation – first had to meet with them…
    • The plan of God for Israel – His chosen people / Kingdom of priests…
    • A holy righteous God – unapproachable – Moses had to mediate (picture of Jesus)!
  • The beginning of the Law – the TEN commandments…
    • 1. No other God / 2. No idols / 3. Don’t take the Lord’s name / 4. Sabbath…
    • 5. Honor your parents / 6. Murder / 7. Adultery / 8. Steal / 9. Lie / 10. Covet

The Law of God – for a society…

• These are the JUDGEMENTS… vs. 1
  • Having established the beginning of the Law with the TEN commandments…
    • The FOUR commands regarding mans relationship with God
    • The SIX commands regarding mans relationship with other men…
  • God is now going to give a series of laws regarding the RULES to govern a society…
    • THE JUDGEMENTS – [הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים] – meaning RULES – from the root word for JUDGE…
    • They were NOT meant to be enforced by the people – God would give to them JUDGES…
    • The purpose of these civil laws was to bring ORDER and SAFETY to the nation of Israel…
    • To set them APART from the rest of the world as a just and fair nation – the people of God!
    • Many of these laws seem like COMMON SENSE – cause our laws are based on the LAWS of God!
  • FIVE different categories in Chapters 21-22 – Servants / Violence / Animals / Property / Morals
• 1^st – The LAW on SERVANTS (employees) … vs. 2-11
  • 1^st – Rules for a male Hebrew SERVANT… vs. 2
    • If you bought a Hebrew servant – you could only purchase him for SIX years…
    • In the SEVENTH year of his service – you had to let him go free at no cost…
    • The reason being men are not to be owned by other men – they belonged to God!
    • Too often we think our lives are ours to live any way we want to – do what we want…
    • But we are not our own – we have been bought by Jesus – I Corinthians 6:20
    • God also wanted to make clear – God is not a respecter of persons – Acts 10:34 / Romans 2:11
    • God does not put the servant higher than the master – Galatians 3:28
    • God does not care about labels – our gender / nationality / social status / religion…
    • There are only TWO categories for God – those who believe in Jesus – those who do not!
  • 2^nd– The BONDSERVANT… vs. 3-6
    • If a man was sold into slavery with his wife – he is set free with his wife after SEVEN years…
    • But if he is GIVEN a wife while he is a slave – and has children – ONLY he will go free!
    • If he CHOSE to stay with his master – his wife / kids – he became a BONDSERVANT for life!
    • Jesus does not demand that we give our lives to Him – it is our choice…
    • We can choose to live for ourselves – live for this world – in bondage to this world…
    • But the irony is when we give our lives to Jesus – that is when we are truly free!
    • John 8:36 – “If the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
    • The master would take him to the JUDGES – [הָאֱלֹהִים] – ELOHIM
    • He would have his ear pierced (on a doorpost) to show he was a BONDSERVANT…
    • The word JUDGES is literally the word – THE GODS – which has caused confusion!
    • ELOHIM – translated- Judges – Exodus 20:6 / Angels – Psalm 8:6 / Rulers – Exodus 22:28
    • JUDGES – judge by the Law of God / Angels – are the messengers of God…
    • Kings – rule over people on behalf of God – so all THREE represent God!
  • 3^rd – A female Hebrew SERVANT … vs. 7-11
    • If a father sells his daughter to be a SERVANT – she does NOT go free after SEVEN years…
    • This may appear that God gave preferential treatment to men over women…
    • But we MUST remember it was the Bible that gave RIGHTS to women…
    • In cultures – even today – who do NOT have the Bible women have few to no rights!
    • Roman law – the wife was the purchased property of her husband…
    • In Saudi Arabia – women are not allowed to drive / own land / choose a husband…
    • Women cannot go out in public without a male escort – father / brother / husband!
    • Our RIGHTS come from the Bible – it is God who established equality – Galatians 3:28
    • Ladies next time you go to vote – or even just choose what you want to wear…
    • Give a hearty THANK YOU to the Lord – He is the God who loves all equally!
    • If a master is NOT pleased (did evil in his eyes) – she can be REDEEMED by her family…
    • She cannot be sold to a foreigner – she is a child of God…
    • If she is given as a wife to the son of her MASTER – she is no longer a SERVANT…
    • If the master takes a SECOND wife – he cannot treat her as SECOND class…
    • If he reduced her food / clothing / marriage rights – she will be set FREE!
    • The Old Testament never expressly FORBIDS having more than ONE wife…
    • Yet EVERY time it occurs – it only causes problems – Jacob with Rachel and Leah!
    • And every time God gives rules concerning it – it is in a negative light!
    • That is why the Jewish teachers concluded it was a Bad idea!
    • It was not the original plan of God – Adam and Eve – Genesis 2:18-25
    • The NT Jesus makes it clear marriage is for ONE man to ONE woman – Matthew 19:4-7
• 2^nd – The LAW on VIOLENCE… vs. 12-27
  • 1^st – Death for MURDER… vs. 12-14
    • If a man who STRIKES (hiphil) another so that he DIES – will be put (hophal) to DEATH…
    • If a man did NOT lie in wait – ACCIDENTAL death – there would be a place to FLEE…
    • God would establish SIX cities of REFUGE – Numbers 35:6
    • But if a man acts with PREMEDITATION (boils over) and kills – he will DIE at the ALTAR!
    • The Law for murder was meant to PROTECT / PRESERVE life…
    • God did this through the deterrent of the DEATH PENALTY for MURDER…
    • SHOWING that nothing is more precious than human LIFE!
    • The REASON – man is created in the image of God – body / soul / spirit – Genesis 9:6
    • One of the premier characteristics of a Godly society is the SANCTITY of life!
  • 2^nd – Death for DISOBEDIENCE to parents… vs. 15/17
    • If a child STRUCK (hiphil) his parents – the word can mean to kill – VERY violent act…
    • CURSES (piel) – intensely CURSES his parents – he was to be put to death!
    • In other words – if you do not obey the FIFTH commandment – Exodus 20:12
    • The consequence was death – the child was to be stoned – Deuteronomy 21:21
    • Why – to ENCOURAGE children not to REBEL – but instead to OBEY their parents…
    • To ENCOURAGE parents – to discipline and train up their children!
    • Children who have no discipline – who disrespect their parents – disobedient…
    • As they get older tend to become deviant / troubled youth…
    • Often only to end up in prison – deadbeats – or just simply dead!
    • Children need to LEARN the consequences of actions – LEARN obedience…
    • That is why parents need to be willing to teach and train their children in the Lord!
    • Proverbs 13:24 – “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”
    • Proverbs 22:15 – “Sin is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him.”
    • Proverbs 23:13 – “Do NOT fail to correct your kids. They will NOT die if you spank them.”
  • 3^rd – Death for KIDNAPPING… vs. 16
    • A simple deterrent for KIDNAPPING – if you did – you were a dead man!
    • In the country of Mexico – kidnapping is only punishable by prison time…
    • For that reason – an average of 4000 kidnappings every year – SECOND highest in the world!
  • 4^th – Law on MAIMING… vs. 18-19
    • If two men FIGHT and one is hit with a fist or stone – but NOT killed – just injured…
    • The one who hurt him MUST pay for the loss of his time at work – PROVIDE for him…
    • And PAY for all of his medical bills till he is COMPLETELY healed!
    • The Law is intended to be very practical / just / and fair – teach consequences for our actions!
    • How many fewer fights – fewer drinks – would we see if there were serious consequences!
  • 5^th – Death for killing a servant… vs. 20-21/ 26-27
    • If a master beats his servant – and he / she dies – he shall be put to PUNISHED…
    • PUNISHED (niphal) – to be AVENGED – in context he will be put to DEATH…
    • But if the servant RECOVERS after a day or so – the master will NOT be put to death…
    • If in the process the servant loses an eye or a tooth – the servant had to be set FREE!
    • The Bible has often been accused of endorsing slavery…
    • The reality is the world at this time was full of slavery…
    • The entire nation of Israel had just been saved from centuries of slavery…
    • In Rome a slave had NO rights – could be sold / beaten / or killed without consequence!
    • God was establishing rules to give rights to slaves to eventually remove slavery!
  • 6^th – Death for killing an unborn infant… vs. 22-25
    • If two men are fighting – and a pregnant woman gets hurt – giving birth prematurely…
    • If the child is NOT harmed – the man who hurt the child has to pay (husbands choice) …
    • But if any harm follows – then eye for eye / tooth for tooth / wound for wound…
    • The idea being equal reprisal – you could only do to others what they did to you!
    • It was not meant to be vindictive – it was meant to be limiting…
    • Meaning you were NOT allowed to do more to someone in revenge than they had done…
    • We want revenge – if you take my eye – I want to take both of yours / and ears / nose!
    • Jesus picked up on this Law in the NT and elaborated – Matthew 5:39/44
    • Where the Law says – if someone hits us – we can only hit them back (equal) …
    • Love says – if someone hits you in the face – turn the other cheek!
    • Even sinners love to that love them back – that does not show we know God…
    • It is by loving those who hate us – that is when we shine for Jesus!
    • Life for life – if the child dies – the man will also be put to death!
    • There is a raging debate today over whether an unborn child is ALIVE…
    • There are an estimated 400k abortions every year in the Philippines…
    • Worldwide it is estimated over 40 million abortions – babies are killed – every year!
    • A woman does NOT have a right to terminate a pregnancy with an abortion…
    • The Bible could not be clearer – an unborn child is a human life…
    • If you kill a child in the womb – its murder – and deserved the death penalty!
    • Psalms 139:13 – “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
• 3^rd – The law on ANIMALS… vs. 28-36
  • 1^st – Ox gores a person to death… vs. 28-32
    • The ox must be killed and NOT eaten (respect for the death) – but the owner is innocent…
    • But if the ox had a reputation of being violent – BOTH ox and man are put to death…
    • The guilty man could REDEEM his life – he had to pay ANY amount the family required!
    • Ox gores a servant…
    • The ox must be killed – the owner of the servant must pay THIRTY pieces of silver!
    • How much was the life of Jesus worth to those who sought to kill Him…
    • You would think the creator of all heaven and earth would have a hefty price tag…
    • Certainly – Jesus was worth a kings ransom – million / no billions of pesos!
    • Jesus was betrayed for price of a gored servant – THIRTY pieces of silver – Matthew 26:15
  • 2^nd – Digging a ditch… vs. 33-34
    • If a man digs a ditch and leaves it UNCOVERED – and an animal falls in and dies…
    • The man who dug the ditch must repay the price of the animal to the owner!
    • If we dig a well – it is our fault if someone accidentally falls into it – we should have covered it!
  • 3^rd – Ox kills another ox… vs. 35-36
    • The live ox must be sold – then the money / and dead ox divided between the owners…
    • But if the ox had a violent reputation – owner gets the dead ox / replaces the lost ox!
    • If we have a dog and it bites a child for the FIRST time – it is not our fault…
    • But if we know our dog bits – and it hurts a child – we are responsible!
    • We are responsible for our ACTIONS – (digging a ditch) …
    • And we are responsible for what we KNOW (the tendency for our ox to be violent) …
    • People have LOTS of excuses – they do NOT want ACCOUNTABILITY…
    • But the LAW says we are ACCOUNTABLE – for every ACTION – for what we KNOW…
    • We will even have to answer one day for every idle word – Mathew 12:36
• 4^th– The Law on PROPERTY… vs. 1-15
  • 1^st – Consequence for THEFT… vs. 1/3-4
    • If the person is caught with what they stole– restore double (what they tool plus one) …
    • But if the person sells or kill what they stole – they must restore it FOUR-FOLD…
    • If they had nothing to pay with – they would be sold to pay for their theft!
    • The Law was meant to be the deterrent – to keep you from committing theft…
    • If the penalty for stealing a 1000P was only giving back what I took – no risk…
    • But if the penalty for stealing a chicken – is repaying 2000P – or even 4000P…
    • And if you do NOT have the money – they you have to work it off – REALLY good deterrent!
    • If the penalty for a crime is NOT severe enough – if it does not cost enough…
    • It will NOT keep people from committing a crime – the Law taught CONSEQUENCE!
    • Galatians 6:7 – “God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”
  • 2^nd – SELF DEFENSE… vs. 2-3
    • If a thief broke into a house at night – and was killed…
    • There was NO [אֵין לוֹ] guilt – the person had EVERY right to defend himself!
    • But if the thief broke in during the day – and was killed – they were held accountable…
    • Because in the daytime – they could call out for help – self-defense was the LAST option!
    • It is OK to own a gun – there is wisdom in knowing how to FIGHT / PROTECT…
    • The Law endorsed the right of self-defense – within reason…
    • We should seek to reason first / ask for help / violence only as the VERY last option!
  • 3^rd – Damaging property … vs. 5-6
    • If your animal wander into another field – you had to repay what it ate…
    • If you set a fire – and it burned another field – you had to replace the loss!
    • These are VERY practical laws – that we saw needed when we were in the mountains…
    • People would let their caribou or goat – eat sugar cane or rice from other fields…
    • Or as they burned the sugarcane – it would get out of control and burns other fields!
    • The Law laid down the clearly defined concept of property ownership…
    • If you plant crops – they are yours – no one else can harvest them…
    • Your neighbor can eat your crop – what he could take by hand – Deuteronomy 23:25
    • But if he harvests the crop – eaten by his animal or burned – you must be compensated!
  • 4^th – Borrowing and lending… vs. 7-15
    • If you BORROW (money or things) from your neighbor – and it is STOLEN…
    • If the thief is found – then they will have to pay DOUBLE – Exodus 22:4
    • If the thief is NOT found – the man who borrowed is taken to the judges to decide…
    • Impartial JUDGES [הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים] – will decide if the neighbor is lying – or innocent…
    • If he is NOT telling the truth – then he will have to pay DOUBLE – Exodus 22:4
    • Suppose you had a CELLPHONE and accused your neighbor of steeling it – TWO options…
    • Either he took the CELLPHONE and is lying / Or you are lying about him taking it!
    • Either way the JUDGES would decide – WHOEVER was lying would pay DOUBLE!
    • As believers we are NOT to go before secular judges with problems – I Corinthians 6:1-8
    • Do NOT file a lawsuit against a brother in the Lord – or take him to the barangay…
    • Bad WITNESS – rather than defame the name of Christ before unbelievers…
    • I Corinthians 6:7 – “Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?”
    • If a man BORROWS an animal…
    • If the animal is STOLEN or DIES – but NO one sees it – the BORROWER must take an OATH…
    • He has to SWEAR to the Lord he is NOT guilty – then he has to pay NOTHING…
    • The thought being the FEAR of the Lord would keep him HONEST!
    • But if the BORROWER is found to have the STOLEN the animal – pay DOUBLE – Exodus 22:4
    • If the animal is KILLED by a beast – bring the pieces – BORROWER does NOT have to pay…
    • But if the animal DIES or is INJURED because of the work – the BORROWER must pay!
    • Unless the OWNER was there when it happened – then it was part of the RENTAL!
    • If we borrow anything – and it breaks or is lost – it is our responsibility
    • If we are not able to replace what we borrow – do NOT borrow it!
• 5^th – The Law on MORALS… vs. 16-31
  • 1^st – Pre-marital sex… vs. 16-17
    • If a man ENTICES (piel) to seduce of deceive – his fiancée (or girlfriend) to lie with him…
    • Then he must marry the woman (pay the dowry for her to be his wife) …
    • If her father refuses to let them marry – he must still pay the dowry to the father!
    • What to do when a young couple – messes up…
    • We live in a society that says it is ok to just LIVE with your spouse for a while…
    • It is even common to use the term HUSBAND and WIFE – without there being a marriage!
    • God is VERY clear – either get married – or stop having the physical relationship!
    • We want God to bless our MARRIAGE – but do NOT even obey His command to be MARRIED!
  • 2^nd – IDOL worship… vs. 18-20
    • You shall NOT permit a SORCERESS (piel) to live… vs. 18
    • Those who dabble / practice channeling spirits – magic – witchcraft – are to be killed!
    • I had a friend in Bible College who could make a rope float from his hand…
    • Not because he had any POWER – it was a trick – for amusement!
    • There is nothing wrong with magic TRICKS – but be careful about the real thing…
    • It is dabbling with demons – opening the door for satan to influence our lives…
    • Channeling spirits / astrology – are forbidden by God – Deuteronomy 18:11
    • Death penalty for sex with animals… vs. 19
    • Open – and perverted sexuality – were a LARGE part of pagan worship…
    • That included prostitution / homosexuality / and even bestiality!
    • Be thankful we live in a society that based on Christian morals and principals…
    • We take for granted that certain things are unacceptable – even unmentionable…
    • God makes it VERY clear the only sexual relationship He allows is with marriage!
    • Hebrew 13:4 – “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
    • Death penalty for sacrificing to another god … vs. 20
    • Worshiping any other gods [לָאֱלֹהִים] – than the Lord [לַיהוָה] – death under the Law…
    • If you take a branch – and connect it to a car / money / house – it dies…
    • It is only when you connect a branch to a tree – it bears fruit – John 15:4-5
    • Whenever we put anything before God in our lives – spiritually we begin to die…
    • It is only when we live for Jesus – abide in Jesus – we find true life – John 10:10
  • 3^rd – Strangers and orphans… vs. 21-24
    • Do NOT mistreat or oppress the STRANGER – because Israel was a STRANGER in Egypt!
    • Do NOT take advantage of the widow or the orphan…
    • If they cry out to the Lord – He WILL hear – and his WRATH will become hot (perfect) …
    • Then God will make the wives of Israel WIDOWS – and their children ORPHANS!
    • Hebrews 13:2 – “Do NOT forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!”
    • James 1:27 – “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble…”
    • We are commanded to care for others – the needy (orphans) – even strangers…
    • When we take the time to give food the hungry and drink to the thirsty…
    • By doing so we show the Love of God to others – the goodness of God – John 13:35
    • Through which we give them the opportunity to know Jesus – Romans 2:4
    • More than that – we when we care for strangers we are actually ministering to Jesus!
    • Matthew 25:40 – “[Jesus] will answer and say to them – Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”
  • 4^th – Lending… vs. 25-27
    • Do NOT charge INTEREST…
    • God makes it clear we are NOT to take advantage of those in need…
    • If you take a pledge from those who have nothing – give back their cloak before night…
    • If you do – God WILL hear – for God is GRACIOUS (He cares about the people)!
    • The examples would be – those who loan to the pensioners / or pawn shops…
    • They care nothing for the people – only to make money at the expense of the poor!
    • Proverbs 28:8 – “A person who makes money by charging interest will lose it. It will end up in the hands of someone who is kind to the poor.” [NLT]
    • If we want to help – just give…
    • It is a good idea NOT to lend to anyone – people are thrilled when you lend to them…
    • Then avoid you like the plague when it comes time to be paid back…
    • Hulam lipay lipay / bayad away away!
    • Better to simply give it if we have it – show we are GRACIOUS like our Father in heaven!
    • Romans 13:8 – “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
  • 5^th – Leadership… vs. 28
    • Do not REVILE (to think little of) gods [אֱלֹהִים] – in context referring to leaders…
    • Or CURSE the ruler (Moses) or your people – who was representing God!
    • Romans 13:1 – “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”
    • Now we might think – God must NOT know our rulers – they are corrupt/untrustworthy!
    • But no one in authority is there by accident – God has placed them in that position…
    • As long as they do not contradict the Word of God – then we are to obey them!
  • 6^th – Be HOLY … vs. 29-31
    • You shall be HOLY – in what you EAT…
    • One way to show that was – do NOT eat meat torn by wild animals…
    • It was to be given to the dogs – do NOT eat roadkill – it is just not healthy!
    • HOLY in what we GIVE – do NOT delay in the FIRST FRUITS…
    • The first of their crops / their flocks / their SONS…
    • The animals had to be with their mother for SEVEN days – then given to the Lord…
    • The idea of first fruits speaks of order – giving to the Lord first!
    • If I went out and bought some new gym clothes – because mine were falling apart…
    • Then offered to give you my old clothes – because I do not need them anymore…
    • What would that say about our relationship – how much do I value you!
    • I am always amused when people donate things to the church…
    • We tend to get the things people could not even give away…
    • So often when people give to Jesus – it is almost as an afterthought / the leftover…
    • But what does that say about the priority Jesus has in our lives / His importance to us!
    • Holy – [קֹדֶשׁ]- to be set apart for God – to be called out of this world…
    • God is perfect – holy – righteous – and His standard for us is His Holiness…
    • This is the foundation of the whole Law – the standard of righteousness – is God!
    • Leviticus 19:2 – “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”
    • When we consider His Holiness – we understand how impossible the standard is…
    • It is impossible to be perfect – we cannot be righteous in our own efforts…
    • But the Law was never meant to make us perfect – instead to teach us we are sinners!
    • Galatians 3:24 – “Therefore the law was our teacher to bring us to Christ…”
    • Realizing that is the Key to Heaven – because now we know we need help – Jesus!