DBG - January 27 - Exodus 22-24

In this chapter we see more regulations of the Law.

vs. 1 – The law of restitution in the case of a stolen ox or sheep that is not recoverable is restoration to the owner of five oxen for each oxen stolen and four sheep for each sheep stolen.

vs. 2-4 – Here are directions for the cases where a thief is caught.  In vs. 2, if the thief is caught at night (by implication from the next verse) and killed by his victim, the victim will not face a murder charge.  In vs. 3, if the thief is caught in the daylight where he can be seen and identified, the thief is to make full restitution of what they stole.  If the thief cannot do so, they are to be sold into slavery to repay the debt.  In vs. 4, if the thief is caught with the stolen goods, they are to repay double to their victim.

vs. 5 – If a person allows their livestock to graze another’s field, they are to repay from the best of their own harvest.

vs. 6 – If someone starts a fire that causes loss of a harvest they are to pay restitution.

vs. 7-13 – Here are cases where possessions are deposited in the care of another.  In vs. 7 if the goods are stolen, the thief is to repay double.  In vs. 8, if the goods are stolen but a thief cannot be found, the one entrusted with the goods is to be investigated.  In vs. 9-10 is the case where someone claims they deposited goods in the care of another and then claims that party possesses said good but will not return them.  Such a case is to be taken to the judges for investigation.  Whoever is found in the right is repaid double.  This includes the false witness repaying the falsely accused.  In vs. 11 is the case where the deposited goods are damaged, killed, or otherwise disappear but the one holding them is not at fault, in such a case an oath is made to the facts of the case and no restitution is made.  In vs. 12 if the deposited goods are stolen, the one holding them in trust will repay the owner double.  In vs. 13 is the case of livestock held in trust that are wounded by wild beasts (what modern insurance may call ‘an act of God’), the wounded animal is presented as evidence and no restitution is paid.

vs. 14 – In the case of something borrowed, the borrower will pay restitution for damage or death.

vs. 15 – In the case where the owner is hired and that owner in the course of his appointed task sees his animal injured or killed, no restitution is paid outside of the price of hire already established.  The beast is not counted as being the trust of anyone other than its owner who must accept full responsibility.

vs. 16-17 – In the case that a man seduces a woman who is not married or betrothed, the man is take her as his wife.  If the woman’s father refuses to allow this marriage, the man is to pay the father the full price of the dowry that custom demanded when taking a wife.

vs. 18 – A.C. Gaebelein writes: “The nations with which Israel came in contact were given to the most satanic cults and the powers of Satan were manifested among them. Demoniacal possessions abounded, and witchcraft, sorceries, asking the dead, and other abominations were practised. Witchcraft and sorceries, communicating with the wicked spirits is therefore more than a possibility. It can be traced throughout the history of the human race and whenever nations ripened for judgment this form of evil became prominent. The female sex was then, as it is still the case, principally addicted to this sin. In our day it flourishes in spiritualism, Christian Science, theosophy, and other cults.”

vs. 19 – Bestiality is condemned by death.

vs. 20 – We need to note here that laws such as these are to be treated as civil laws for Israel. They are not binding upon us today.  We may discern truth and morality from them but we are not obligated to follow them.

vs. 21-24 – Hospitality and compassion are both commanded and commended.

vs. 25 – The addition of interest to a loan made by Israelites to Israelites is expressly forbidden.

vs. 26-27 – If someone literally takes the clothes off the back of someone as collateral for a loan, it is to be restored by sundown.  Doing so protects the poor from exploitation and allows them the barest of shelter and dignity.

vs. 28 – This verse commands the citizens of Israel to respect the God-ordained governmental authorities in their lives.  The language here is easy to stumble over.  In the first phrase we see the command to not revile the Elohim.  This is almost always a term for God, but not always.  It is used in special cases to refer to the rulers or judges that God had ordained and acted in His authority.  The classic example of this is Psalm 82:6 and Christ’s quotation of it in John 10:34.    

vs. 29-30 – We saw in chapter 13 that God claimed the firstborn male offspring of men and livestock.  Here is added the claim to the first fruits of harvest.  The principle here is that delayed obedience is tantamount to disobedience through negligence.  In vs. 30 we see the length of time set as 8 days, which mirrors the age that a male child was circumcised.

vs. 31 – They were not to consume the meat from an animal attacked and killed by other beasts.  It is both a sanitary issue and separation issue, reflecting God’s holiness.

In this chapter God gives more of the Law with various practical and ceremonial regulations.

vs. 1-3 – These verses are commands against perverting justice.  In vs. 1 we see the case of the false witness.  In vs. 3 is the command to not allow the wealth of lack thereof of people to affect the course of justice.

vs. 4-5 – We are reminded here of the words of Christ in Matthew 5:44.  Having an ill disposition against an enemy should not cause us to ignore the need to be humane the least of the beasts of burden.

vs. 6-9- More commands against perverting justice.  In vs. 6 justice should not be perverted against the poor.  In vs. 7 justice demands departing from falsehoods.  In vs. 8 bribes are forbidden.  In vs. 9 justice should not be perverted against the foreigner in the land.

vs. 10-11 – The use of Sabbatical years is introduced.  Fields and vineyards are to be harvested and reaped for six years and then left fallow the seventh.  This not only prevents destroying the productivity of the farmland by overuse, but God also uses it to provide for the poor and the wildlife. 

vs. 12 – The Sabbath rest is restated and made to apply to beasts and servants.

vs. 13 – A reiteration of the First  Commandment.  Israel is to serve God exclusively.

vs. 14-17 – The establishment of the three pilgrimage feasts.  On these three celebrations the men were to gather at the central place of worship.  The first is the Feast of Unleavened Bread following the Passover.  The second is the feast of Passover at the close of the spring-summer harvest.  The third is the Feast of Tabernacles which is in the fall. 

vs. 18-19 – Here are additional commands concerning sacrifices.  Leaven was forbidden to be used in conjunction with sacrifices, as it is a picture of sin.  Every sacrifice, whether eaten or burned, was to be complete consumed by the morning.   Anything presented as a sacrifice was to be the best available.  To these is attached one commandment forbidding the preparation of a lamb or goat to eat by boiling it in its mother’s milk.

vs. 20-23 – Here God promises that He will lead His people into the Promised Land through an Angel.  This description is reminiscent of the “angel of the Lord” we met earlier that I believe to be the Preincarnate Christ.  See notes on Genesis 16:7.

vs. 24-30 – Here God promises, if the people would serve Him faithfully, that He would bless them and drive out the inhabitants of the Promised Land before them.  This does not happen because of the failure of Israelite to claim the promise and enter the Promise Land in Numbers 14.

vs. 31 – The bounds of the Promised Land are here set as the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) on the east, the Mediterranean Sea (sea of Philistines) on the west, and desert (the wilderness of Shur) to the south, and the Euphrates River (the river) on the north.

vs. 32-33 – Israel was to have no relations with the Canaanites.  Any dealings with them, verily the presence, would be a trap that would ensnare the hearts of the Israelites.

In this chapter Israel enters into a covenant agreement with God to keep His Law.

vs. 1-2 – Moses is to have Aaron, Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu, and the 70 elders of Israel ascend partway up Sinai.  Moses alone could go on to draw near to God.

vs. 3 – Note here that the people agree to follow the Law that God had thus far revealed.

vs. 4-6 – Preparations are made as Moses writes the words of the covenant down, an altar is built, and sacrifices are offered.  Half of the blood is caught and used in the next verses.

vs. 7-8 – Moses read the words of the covenant agreement.  The people hear the words and swear that they will obey the demands of it.  Moses sprinkles blood on the people, a sign of a blood covenant meaning they pledge to obey the covenant upon penalty of death.

vs. 9-11 – Moses and the party of Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and the 70 elders ascend part way up the mountain.  There the observe a feast typical of those celebrated at the confirmation of a covenant.  God allows these men to glimpse His glory, I think in the person of Christ.

vs. 12-14 – God calls Moses to ascend the mountain for the fourth time to receive the Law written upon stone tables.  Joshua accompanies him part way.  Aaron and Hur are left in charge of the people.

vs. 15-18 – A cloud (likely the shekinah glory, evidence of God’s presence) blankets the mountain.  Moses ascends on the first day of the week but God does not speak until the seventh, the Sabbath day.  Moses stays on the top of Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights.

We closed our reading today with on of Israel’s highest moments.  The people had been mightily delivered and willingly declare their fealty to God’s covenant at Sinai.  More regulations and instructions are to come based on the foundation of the initial revelation we have seen.  Israel and God enter into a covenant agreement that is celebrated with a feast where the leaders of Israel encounter God’s presence.  But if humanity is good at anything, it is at falling away from God.  When we get to chapter 32, just 40 days later, the people have turned their back on God and are worshipping a golden calf.  Friends, faithfulness it not just for the high days and the mountain top experiences.  Those are rare.  We should strive for consistent and purposeful obedience to God at all times.

Our hymn today, Lord of All Being, Throne Afar, was written by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., father of the Supreme Court justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.  I believe it captures a little of the glory and splendor that Moses and the elders saw when the caught a glimpse of God’s glory.

Lord of all being, throned afar,
thy glory flames from sun and star;
centre and soul of every sphere,
yet to each loving heart how near!

Sun of our life, thy quickening ray
sheds on our path the glow of day;
Star of our hope, thy softened light
cheers the long watches of the night.

Our midnight is thy smile withdrawn,
our noontide is thy gracious dawn,
our rainbow arch thy mercy's sign;
all, save the clouds of sin, are thine.

Lord of all life, below, above,
whose light is truth, whose warmth is love,
before thy ever-blazing throne
we ask no lustre of our own.

Grant us thy truth to make us free,
and kindling hearts that burn for thee,
till all thy living altars claim
one holy light, one heavenly flame.