Exodus 21-23

“These different regulations are as remarkable for their justice and prudence as for their humanity. Their great tendency is to show the valuableness of human life, and the necessity of having peace and good understanding in every neighbourhood; and they possess that quality which should be the object of all good and wholesome laws-the prevention of crimes.” (Adam Clarke) -on Exodus 21-23

This segment of the Scriptures is divided into a couple different "categories":

Case laws (Rights of slaves, laws protecting human beings, laws dealing with property and compensation)

Social and Religious Commands

Ritual Calendar

God's Presence and how He would conqueror the promised land

It is important to remember the basis for why God gave the Israelites these laws, and why they are important for us as we continue our daily walk with Jesus Christ. LOVE: These things are out of God's love for us as His beloved children, and this is why we should seek to honor Him in each of these areas and in all of the areas of our lives! Remembering the deliverance that God has given to us!

Last night I watched a particular episode of NCIS: LA where a woman entered the country, became a housekeeper, and was worked to the bone--serving late, getting very little sleep, and beaten if they did not like the way she did things. Yes it is a tv show, but  this is what happens. We just don't think about it, or see it in the media. If we do see it, we look away at the injustices.  Even though we do not have people we typically call "slaves" today, we have them. Wives, mothers, maids, housekeepers, nannies, prostitutes who have pimps, those stuck in human trafficking, etc. These are all people who typically fit that category of slave. Some fit the job title more appropriately, while others just scream wrong or INJUSTICE. Just because they serve in these positions (housekeeper, nannies, wives) and have given themselves to this work (whatever it may be), it does not mean they are to be taken for granted, neglected, or harmed in any way. A lot of times people, especially if they are illegal, are taken for granted. We get in this "I am better than you" mindset, and this is what God is warning us against: the severity of our actions against others. We need to be compassionate and loving others everyday in whatever way we can, while still wholly pursuing God's justice!~

Much of the Scriptures in this passage still apply to us today: think of the passages on an ox mauling a human being. The ox is to be killed, but if the owner knew of its tendencies (perhap teaching them)--they should be charged. Doesn't sound to different than what we ought to do if a dog mauls another, does it? Or, how about this one: if a ox goes in and eats of another's field--restitution should be made. What if someone's dog eats of all of our crops planted in our backyards? Or, completely destroys our yards? Would we not expect the same thing to be done? The Old Testament definitely applies to us today! Take time to soak it in!

 It is not about favoritism. It is not about always doing what we may want to do. It is about honoring God. It is about pursuing justice.  It is about pursuing justice no matter what--even if it means helping those who hate us (see Exodus 23:5), in order to show God's love and justice. "The social laws are framed by worship!" Worship. Worship is what to be our heart's aim, and the reason for why we choose to honor God, love all others, love people, and pursue justice!

What helps me is the note given on Sabbath rest in Exodus 23:12. It is for rest and relief that the sabbath is to exist. God has given us the sabbath to bless us... to bless those around us also!  In later part of Exodus 23, God declares that His presence will go before me. God will be my guide. He can send terror into the hearts of those we may encounter. God will be glorified; we need only to seek His face and be completely obedient to Him! We need not to hang onto the concerns of this world, but trust that God will have His way. Little by little is the phrase God uses when describing the process of eliminating Israel's enemies. It wasn't an immediate process, but it was for Israel's benefit. Trust even when the process seems so slow...He IS still working.

I enjoyed how well the passages fit together, and it all boils down to how we treat others. Exodus 22:21-27 really shows how to treat another. Exodus 21:5 gives a picture of the Christian believer. We are given freedom, but it is that tremendous love for God that keeps us seeking Him and seeking to serve Him!