Moral And Ceremonial Principles
January 27, 2023
Commentary
Various laws for the Israelites are outlined in this passage:
I. Things that merited death:
1. Fortune telling and controlling others by demonic power (v. 18).
2. Sexual intercourse with an animal (v. 19).
3. Worship of any false god (v. 20).
II. Things involving care for the needy:
1. Foreigners were to be treated favorably (v. 21).
2. The widow or fatherless child was not to be taken advantage of (vv. 22-24).
3. Loans were to be interest-free (vv. 25-27).
III. Things involving reverence:
1. The name of God or a leader was not to be cursed (v. 28).
2. Israel was to remember that the firstborn belonged to God (vv. 29-31).
Application
I want to always show a deep respect for God and His Word regardless of the circumstances.
Exodus 22:18– 31 (NET)
18 “You must not allow a sorceress to live.
19 “Whoever has sexual relations with a beast must surely be put to death.
20 “Whoever sacrifices to a god other than the Lord alone must be utterly destroyed.
21 “You must not wrong a resident foreigner nor oppress him, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
22 “You must not afflict any widow or orphan. 23 If you afflict them in any way and they cry to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my anger will burn and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives will be widows and your children will be fatherless.
25 “If you lend money to any of my people who are needy among you, do not be like a moneylender to him; do not charge him interest. 26 If you do take the garment of your neighbor in pledge, you must return it to him by the time the sun goes down, 27 for it is his only covering—it is his garment for his body. What else can he sleep in? And when he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am gracious.
28 “You must not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
29 “Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. You must give me the firstborn of your sons. 30 You must also do this for your oxen and for your sheep; seven days they may remain with their mothers, but give them to me on the eighth day.
31 “You will be holy people to me; you must not eat any meat torn by animals in the field. You must throw it to the dogs.
Illustration: Billy Sunday Converted at a Little Mission
One day, some years ago, a policeman walking his beat in Chicago, observed a man standing before a little building, with bared head, acting-as the cop thought-"pretty queer.” “Either sick-or drunk,” he concluded, eyeing the man suspiciously. Then he walked up to where the man stood with eyes closes, and grunted: “What’s the matter, Mac? Sick?” The man opened his eyes, and smiled. “No, officer. My name’s Bill Sunday, and I was converted right here in that little mission. I never come by here that I don’t take off my hat and say a prayer.” The cop grinned now, reached a giant hand to Billy, and said, heartily: “Put ‘er there, Bill! I’ve heard about it. You keep right on with your prayer, and I’ll keep the crowd away.” (Source Unknown).