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?

Addressing Blame

Addressing Blame

Exodus 22: ⁹ “For any kind of trespass, whether it concerns an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, or for any kind of lost thing which another claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor. ¹⁰ If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing it, ¹¹ then an oath of the Lord shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor’s goods; and the owner of it shall accept that, and he shall not make it good. ¹² But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it. ¹³ If it is torn to pieces by a beast, then he shall bring it as evidence, and he shall not make good what was torn.

 

¹⁴ “And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not being with it, he shall surely make it good. ¹⁵ If its owner was with it, he shall not make it good; if it was hired, it came for its hire.

 

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GOD continued with HIS discussion with Moses. HE provided rules to guide people in dealing with conflict.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew people would have selective memories when it concerned conflicting situations that needed to be resolved.
• GOD allowed humans to deal with their own situations versus inserting HIMSELF.
• GOD seemed to also be addressing a mindset of blame.

 

Being responsible for an accidental death of an animal meant paying for the dead animal because it was in the care of someone else. This applied to lost or stolen items as well. I believe GOD wants us to see two things, namely blame and responsibility.

 

Before taking on the care of an animal or a thing of value, know that you are responsible for it until it is returned. Blaming the person who put the thing in your care does not go well with GOD, so do not accept the responsibility. The same goes for the person who needs someone to care for something.

 

The owner of that thing needs to be responsible for placing something of value with people who may or may not care. The owner had responsibility of not blaming the caretaker. I believe GOD was demonstrating the care we should have in spreading the Gospel.

 

GOD gave this extremely important message and wants us to care for it without accidental death. HE wants us to be joyful in spreading the Gospel versus blaming HIM. The mindset of blame had to be addressed and turned into a mindset of responsibility.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS rule or responsibility?
• Have you examined your tendencies to see if you blame others easily?
• Are you blaming GOD for anything that you should be responsible for?

Property Management – Dealing with Thieves

Property Management – Dealing with Thieves

Exodus 22: “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. ² If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. ³ If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. ⁴ If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.

 

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GOD gives Moses specific instructions on how to handle a thief. Earlier, GOD gave everyone the commandment, “You shall not steal.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD seemed to be dealing with a selfish mindset that would cause people to take what was not theirs.
• GOD wants to be the provider, but when someone steals, HIS provision is tainted.
• GOD seemed to desire that the thief make things right.

 

“I deserve this thing” is the limiting mindset that GOD is trying to address. HE is the one who determines what we deserve or not. Later GOD would speak about how HE hates robbery and wrongdoing, to Isaiah.

 

A thief is a person who steals something without asking for the thing or paying for the thing, usually done in stealth and without force or violence. Today, the mindset of the thief can be quite complex. It’s not just about oxen (tools) or sheep (food and clothing). Today’s thief takes ideas (Intellectual Property), identities (Digital Property), Housing (squatter), and stuff (Physical Assets).

 

I believe al of the Laws of Moses were put in place to protect the children of Israel and to point to CHRIST. They were supposed to act different than the Egyptians and the children of Canaan who would steal at the drop of a hat.

 

The thief did not want to work for their tools or food. GOD gave instructions that the caught thief needed to be put to work as the punishment. This is what the thief should have been doing in the first place, so the owner would have no guilt. If the punishment, however, caused the thief to die and nothing is done about the death, then the guilt would fall on the owner. GOD hates circumventing HIS provision to get one’s way.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS way of dealing with the mindset of the thief?
• Are you stealing anything and trying to justify the theft?
• What do you have and what do you feel you deserve and does this cause a conflict between you and GOD?

Addressing Negligence

Addressing Negligence

Exodus 21: ²⁸ “If an ox gores a man or a woman to death, then the ox shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be acquitted. ²⁹ But if the ox tended to thrust with its horn in times past, and it has been made known to his owner, and he has not kept it confined, so that it has killed a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned and its owner also shall be put to death. ³⁰ If there is imposed on him a sum of money, then he shall pay to redeem his life, whatever is imposed on him. ³¹ Whether it has gored a son or gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him. ³² If the ox gores a male or female servant, he shall give to their master thirty shekels of silver, and the ox shall be stoned.

 

³³ “And if a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls in it, ³⁴ the owner of the pit shall make it good; he shall give money to their owner, but the dead animal shall be his.

 

³⁵ “If one man’s ox hurts another’s, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and divide the money from it; and the dead ox they shall also divide. ³⁶ Or if it was known that the ox tended to thrust in time past, and its owner has not kept it confined, he shall surely pay ox for ox, and the dead animal shall be his own.

 

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

 

My Observations:

• GOD spoke about oxen as tools and food that could potentially harm people.
• GOD seemed to be addressing neglect by adding clear responsibility.
• GOD shows HIS intentionality by providing rules for the children of Israel.

 

I have seen oxen but never used one as a tool. BUT GOD wants me to pay attention to this passage of scripture. I believe GOD wants all of us to accept responsibility for harming people or their stuff. This passage pertains to computers, cars, hammers, sewing machines, mixers pets and food sources.

 

GOD mentions the pay of a servant and used the exact amount that JESUS was sold for when Judas accepted his betrayal money. This is not a coincidence. When John was given the revelation of JESUS, he saw one of the four creatures as being an ox.

 

GOD said that animals would fear humans in Genesis when HE cursed the earth. This meant that part of the curse was that animals would no longer act docile, but unpredictable. Humans behave the same way. David and Solomon compare humans to oxen in their writings. GOD wants us to be intentional in caring for one another and taking responsibilities for accidents and how we respond if we are told something bad could happen if a warning is not heeded.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about animal control?
• Have you ever fallen into self-protection, trying to escape accepting responsibility for something?
• What responsibility is GOD trying to get you to assume so you can make things right?

Deal With It

Deal With It

Exodus 21: ¹⁸ “If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed, ¹⁹ if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed.

 

²⁰ “And if a man beats his male or female servant with a rod, so that he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished. ²¹ Notwithstanding, if he remains alive a day or two, he shall not be punished; for he is his property.

 

²² “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows, he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. ²³ But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

 

²⁶ “If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye. ²⁷ And if he knocks out the tooth of his male or female servant, he shall let him go free for the sake of his tooth.

 

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GOD continued to speak to Moses about violence.

 

My Observations:

• GOD once saw that the heart of humans was corrupt and filled with violence, so HE flooded the earth.
• GOD promised not to ever intervene with a global flood, thus turning governance of humans over to humans.
• GOD does not want any human to act violently, but with peace.

 

It does not seem that GOD is urging humans to hit each other, beat each other, fight wildly causing accidental harm to unborn children or permanent bodily harm. Unfortunately, HE knew that humans had a sin nature that needed to be dealt with.

 

This set of laws were not supposed to be used. The extreme consequence was probably meant to deter the behavior that would trigger the consequence. Now that the rule was put in place, it would be a sin if the rule was broken. A single sin makes a human ineligible to open the scroll that sentenced Satan.

 

JESUS was the only human that obeyed every rule. HE never sinned. To me, GOD is not saying, go out and beat those who work for you. I believe HE is saying, deal with injustice as a temporary solution and let ME deal with the ultimate solution.  JESUS does not teach us to contradict the law, but HE shows us how HE overcame it.

 

Instead of seeking punishment, HE prayed for people. Instead of seeking revenge, HE asked that HIS attackers be forgiven. HE demonstrated how HE fulfilled the law by using love versus hatred.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the rules that should be followed regarding fighting, accidental death and dismemberment?
• Do you think GOD condones your violent, angry or passive meanness towards people?
• Have you looked at JESUS for your example of how to fulfill GOD’s ways?

Defined Lines Not to Cross

Defined Lines Not to Cross

Exodus 21: ¹² “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. ¹³ However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

 

¹⁴ “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

 

¹⁵ “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁶ “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁷ “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

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After GOD gave Moses the laws concerning the protection of human lineages, HE turns to addressing violent mindsets.

 

My Observations:

• GOD created humans with free will to choose peace or violence.
• GOD may have been addressing a mindset that began after the garden of Eden, namely violence.
• GOD may have been steering humans away from violent acts to see HIS grace, mercy and love.

 

When someone is willing to cross the line and murder someone, hit a parent, kidnap someone or curse a parent publicly, that person is supposed to be seen as dangerous. GOD saw the heart of Canaan and knew his mindset was dangerous.

 

People who followed Canaan would murder, kidnap and harm others, even their own parents. This led to cruel behavior that would put the lineage of JESUS in jeopardy. GOD wants to protect peace. HE made Adam and Eve with peace and serenity. They had everything they needed.

 

But when they chose to be like GOD, as tricked by Satan, all humans faced the choice of violence versus peace. Our sin nature wants control and sometimes that control can lead to a desire to harm other people. GOD was addressing a centuries old issue that still lingers to this day, namely hating other people to the point of violence.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning against violence?
• Have you ever thought about harming someone on purpose to get your way?
• Can you think of ways to love the person you originally wanted harm to fall on them?