Addressing Replenishment

Addressing Replenishment

Exodus 23: ¹⁰ “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, ¹¹ but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. ¹² Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

 

¹³ “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses. This time HE spoke about rest.

 

My Observations:

• When Adam and Eve caused humans to fall, the conditions of the earth changed and now humans would have to work the soil to help food grow.
• When GOD made the garden of Eden, it did not need rest, but when HE cursed the earth, everything outside of the garden needed rest.
• Every seventh year, provide for the poor and let the soil rest and replenish.

 

Replenishment seemed to be the answer to the curse of GOD. Our temporary bodies and the land needs rest to keep producing. In order to have plenty, rest is needed. GOD was gracious when HE cursed the land. HE could have made it not produce anything and ended humanity right after Adam and Eve. BUT GOD desired humanity to flourish. We need the earth to flourish and it needs rest to do so.

 

But then GOD said something strange. “Make no mention of the name of other gods.” I believe that when humans get into a rhythm or work and rest, we can lose sight of GOD. Even worse, we can assign to a god what should be assigned to the one and only true GOD.

 

By stating that a god provided the food, we are not thanking the true GOD for what HE has done. Some humans want their names mentioned daily or even place their pictures or names everywhere to appear godlike.

 

Our temporary bodies need rest and so do the fields. GOD made a way for us to worship HIM while resting. This is grace.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about replenishment?
• Have you ever thought it was good to work yourself into exhaustion?
• How are you intentionally resting so you can be replenished for GOD’s purpose?

Addressing Integrity

Addressing Integrity

Exodus 23: “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. ² You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. ³ You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

 

⁴ “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. ⁵ If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

 

⁶ “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. ⁷ Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. ⁸ And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.

 

⁹ “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE had many things to say about using clear judgment or integrity in matters.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wanted impartial judgment.
• GOD wanted fair treatment, even towards enemies.
• GOD wanted a mindset that treats strangers well.

 

Rumors are unverified stories, gossip, or pieces of information that pass quickly from person to person without proof of whether they are true or false. Moses had a difficult job assigned to him. He had to lead the people into the promised land, and he had to judge disputes along the way.

 

While this set of scripture can be applied universally to you and me, I believe there was a personal meaning for Moses. He had to face poor people who would lie and wealthy people who were getting lied on. He would also face rich people trying to bribe him.

 

GOD was universally addressing integrity. HE wanted to introduce resilience to rumors, lies, bribes and ill feelings towards enemies. GOD’s expectation of HIS people was to be above lies, bribes and hatred. HE still wants this for you and me. HE wants us to have compassion for strangers as we were once strangers.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS view on justice and integrity?
• Do your lips easily spread gossip, rumors or unverified information to feel superior?
• Have you asked yourself, “Am I trying to be superior with unverified information or should I use integrity to please GOD?”

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Addressing Plentifulness and Holiness

Exodus 22: ²⁹ “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. ³⁰ Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

³¹ “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE mentions what to do with the first fruits and the first born and with an animal killed by an animal.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing a mindset that HE provides plenty and the children of Israel need not hold back on what they considered “the best.”
• GOD knew the children of Israel desired to carry on HIS promise of making Abraham a great nation and HE wanted then to set aside the firstborn male as a sign of acknowledging JESUS.
• GOD set a standard of not eating an animal killed by another animal.

 

This set of rules seem simple on the surface, but are highly symbolic. JESUS is represented in these rules and GOD wanted people to be aware of HIS promise to Abraham. The blood of CHRIST is remembered to this day by drinking the ripe juices.

 

JESUS was the first-born and only SON of GOD. Every firstborn was to be consecrated and given to GOD as a holy representative in the family. Animal sacrifice would become the norm for the children of Israel. The firstborn oxen and sheep would be required to be handled specially.

 

Animals without a spot or blemish would be required to be presented as a sacrifice to the LORD. HE extended this rule to what the people ate. No meat torn by another animal was to be consumed. GOD knew that the people who would eat after an animal would also sacrifice to HIM in a poor fashion.

 

GOD was about to give HIS best, namely JESUS. HE expected to get the best as a symbolic acknowledgement of what HE was doing.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules that portray HIS plentifulness and HIS holiness?
• Have you treated GOD as common or something that is not special?
• Is there a standard that can be raised in your life that represents your relationship with GOD?

Addressing Criticism of GOD and Leadership

Addressing Criticism of GOD and Leadership

Exodus 22: ²⁸ “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE addressed insults and criticism of HIM and of leaders HE put in place.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s ways will seem strange to humans because we have a sin nature that fights against HIM.
• GOD does not expect us to agree with rulers, but HE expects that we act like HIM by not insulting them.
• GOD puts HIMSELF as our leader in this statement and warns us that we should not insult HIM.

 

Revile means to criticize someone or something very strongly, angrily, and with harsh insults.

 

When GOD told Noah there was evil on the ark, HE was giving a warning that even though humanity was physically saved, there was still a problem. Humans needed a real and true Savior, namely JESUS. Canaan rebelled against GOD and recruited many followers.

 

Now the children of Israel were about to go out on their own and had the choice to rebel like Canaan. GOD warned them that complaining about HIM or the leaders HE put in place for the children of Israel would be problematic.

 

The scary thing about this statement is GOD does not give an “or else.” HE allows us to be as free as we want, just like Pharaoh. GOD’s way of hardening a heart is to allow the person to think they are right. This solidifies their passion to continue to be right without surrendering to hear what GOD is saying.

 

This type of person will complain in their heart about leaders, good or bad. Terrible rulers have been put in place for centuries. BUT GOD is the ultimate leader who loves us and cares deeply for us. We become more like Canaan when we complain about rulers, even the terrible ones. GOD has the bad ruler under HIS control.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses, a leader, about HIS command about not angrily insulting leadership?
• What leader have you joined in to insult and how do you think GOD views it?
• How are angry insults damaging your relationship with GOD?

Addressing Graciousness in Lending

Addressing Graciousness in Lending

Exodus 22: ²⁵ “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. ²⁶ If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. ²⁷ For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE spoke about lending.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave the capability for people to raise money for themselves without HIS intervention and some people would be poor.
• Some poor people may need to borrow money or things from those who have more.
• GOD wants those who lend money or things, to be gracious and different than shrewd business people.

 

“If you lend” does not mean you have to lend. But if you do, then be gracious. The children of Israel had not been free for 430 years. Their mindset was on being in need versus being the one who lends. Since they did not have the mindset of a gracious lender, their only example may have been moneylenders who charge interest.

 

GOD takes it a step further. HE mentions if a person holds a garment as collateral, the lender should be gracious and give it back before sundown. Here, GOD goes into detail about graciousness. I believe HE is saying that if a person complains about the lender who holds his only garment as collateral, then GOD will listen to the borrower versus the lender. Why? Because GOD is gracious.

 

The condition is this is the person’s only garment. Something precious. We get a lot of insight about GOD in this set of rules. People will be poor. People will be wealthy. The way to please GOD is with graciousness on either side. GOD made us in HIS image. This means we have the capability to show grace, no matter what circumstance we are in.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS graciousness?
• Have you ever loaned someone money and acted worse than moneylenders?
• Have you self-examined your graciousness when it comes to borrowing or lending?

Addressing Caring for Widows and Orphans

 Addressing Caring for Widows and Orphans

Exodus 22: ²² “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. ²³ If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; ²⁴ and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses about how to treat people. This time HE specifically calls out widows and orphans.

 

My Observations:

• GOD shows HIS heart for taking care of people, especially those who are helpless.
• Widows and orphans traditionally were not allowed to have land or inherit anything from the children of Israel.
• GOD stated that HIS wrath would be poured out on those who afflicted the widows and orphans.

 

Caring for people is part of GOD’s nature. HE does not want those who are not allowed to own land to be put to harsh tasks. Afflicted could mean a form of slavery or harsh mistreatment. GOD did not mind widows working, as long as they had their fair chance and were not treated harshly.

 

Orphans who had no land to inherit were to be treated equally when they worked for someone. GOD implied that HE was watching how people treat one another. Bullying people in the workplace does not sit well with GOD. Nor does mistreating widows and orphans, favoring those who would inherit the land.

 

What does this tell us about today? Homeless people are less favored than self-care. Affliction can come in many flavors. Its root is in selfishness and hatred. GOD showed that HIS people were to be kind to those who wanted to work, but were not allowed, or they were treated poorly.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about caring for widows and orphans?
• Has GOD opened your eyes to widows, orphans and homeless people?
• What can you do today to show you care for other people that GOD cares for?

Addressing Mistreatment

Addressing Mistreatment

Exodus 22: ¹⁶ “If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. ¹⁷ If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.

 

¹⁸ “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

 

¹⁹ “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

 

²⁰ “He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

 

²¹ “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE gave several statements.

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be addressing mistreatment of self-control.
• Each of the statements seem unrelated, but may have the same root.
• GOD seems to desire that we become like HIM.

 

Lack of self-control which could lead to mistreating people or self seems to be what GOD is addressing. A male child of the descendants of Israel, needed to have self-control that was not expressed by those who followed the ways of Canaan.

 

When Adam and Eve chose to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, they unleashed exposure to desires that would require understanding and to control them. Sexual desires are not bad, but if a man could not control himself, then something needed to be done. In some instances, the situation could not be made right by exchanging wealth.

 

GOD never meant to become the ultimate punisher as we perceive HIM. If I were to paraphrase a rule as an example it would say “Don’t use any power that could come from Satan to provide for other people in ways that are categorized as sorcery. If you do, you will be put to death.”

 

Having sex with animals, sacrificing to fictitious or human gods was prohibited. And mistreating strangers lacked the compassion that GOD showed on the children of Israel. GOD knew how low humans could sink in terms of depravity. HE wanted HIS people to be successful.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about various ways humans could mistreat themselves and other people?
• Are there any ways you are mistreating people or yourself?
• What does treating people like GOD wants you to treat them look like?