October 18 | Exodus 23:1-13

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DAILY READING

Exodus 23:1-13

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REFLECTION

Follow God's Laws and Flourish

by David Thompson

There are numerous laws in the books of Exodus and Leviticus. Through my study of the Bible, I have felt the laws to be overbearing and many times outdated. However, most of the laws in today's reading are really helpful and will make a person's life much easier if followed.

Verses 1 and 2 bring back an embarrassing time in my history. I wish I had used God's wisdom. I was 13 years old and in 8th grade when we boarded the bus to go home. Outside the window were about 30 bike riders getting on their bikes and heading out. Somebody on the bus yelled out that a friend of mine's bike was being ridden by one of the school bullies. I strained to look but I couldn't make out who they were talking about. The chatter on the bus mostly agreed with the first reporter. When I got home, I headed directly to my buddy's house and found out that indeed his bike had been stolen. I immediately shared that "I" saw a bully named John riding my friend's bike and likely he was the one who stole it. To make a long story short, I was contacted by the police and again had to share the story (only once again I stated that "I" saw the perpetrator). The police confronted the boy and his parents about my testimony, but nothing could be proven. Time passed until one day, the friends of John confronted me with what they believed to be false statements that I had made. It was a tense situation, however I lived through it.

That should have taught me to follow God's admonitions and not one situation that I was going to repeat. Likewise, verses 4-8 speak about making restitution to an offended person when possible. Again, words of wisdom, not words of burdening law. Verses 10-13 speak to Sabbath Laws and how they should be carried out. A farmer that I worked for used crop rotation. It was not what God was speaking about when he said to let the fields give crops for six years, but let the fields lay dormant on the seventh year. A similar rest period was specified in verse 12, where it says to work for six days leaving the 7th day for rest and for God. Again this was modeled for me by my friend (a Mennonite farmer). If we went to the farm on Sunday, we found him in prayer and reading his bible. He had to milk the cows, but all other work, was put off until Monday. He was an older man who had a big heart. Are we learning from our mistakes, things that God could teach us? f not, we will make many mistakes that are avoidable.

PRAYER

Dear God, help us see that you know what is good for us and your wisdom is greater than man's. I am sure there are a great number of laws in the old testament that do not apply to us today, but the ones that do, help us to adapt our priorities to follow these as closely as we can. Amen.

October 17| Exodus 22:20-30

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DAILY READING

Exodus 22:20-30

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REFLECTION

Why So Many Laws?

by Mary Kate Hipp

I was recently greeted by a seventh grader who exclaimed, "MK! I decided to start reading through my Bible starting in Genesis." To which I replied, "Wow what a feat! That's awesome, how is it going so far?" He said, "It's really good, but I have a lot of questions...like, why are there so many laws? And what do they have to do with me?"

Have you ever asked the same questions? Wondered the same thing? I know I have. The margins of my Bible are lined with the many questions I have had through the years. Many of these questions I have jotted down are in Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, all pertaining to the law. Is there more I am supposed to know to understand the laws? Do I need to be an ancient near eastern history buff? Are these laws only relevant to the Israelites way back then?

Although having a fuller contextual understanding of these passages is often helpful, I do not think it is necessary in this instance in order to know what these laws are getting at. As I read through this passage over and over, I notice a pattern (one which is seen throughout the rest of Scripture as well): our Lord is Lord alone. He is a jealous God who desires our faithful love.

This is the very reason that Christ came and that we rejoice in His gospel. God does not desire our sacrifices, He does not delight in our good deeds or offerings (Psalm 40:6-8). He desires only faithful love (Hosea 6:6). It is true that these laws were written to promote good and restrict evil when necessary. More importantly though, they were written to drive us to Him. Though these laws may explicitly regulate or dictate certain situations, they all also serve to propel us to Him, to faithfully love him.

What is also notable about this passage is the large chunk devoted to God's care for the marginalized, the oppressed. From the beginning the Lord shows care and provides protection for the vulnerable. In fact, throughout Jesus' ministry He demonstrates care and concern for the marginalized (Mark 10:45; Luke 19:10). He proclaims that the Gospel is for even the least of these (Matthew 20:16). The law ought not to give us a sense of entitlement, but a posture of humility in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are a plethora of laws all written for the purpose of driving us to him. They have everything to do with us, even now in 2023. Serve God alone. Cling to Him. Give Him your faithful love and devotion.

PRAYER

Lord, we come to You as sinful people who are unable to save ourselves. May we cling to You, may we serve only You, may You drive us to You each and every day. Amen.

October 16 | Exodus 20:22-26

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DAILY READING

Exodus 20:22-26

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REFLECTION

Postscript to the Law

by Pr. Dave Mann

Now that the Lord has conveyed the Ten Commandments to Moses with which to instruct the people of God, he adds some clarifying words.

• No gods to come alongside the true God. We humans have a tendency to want to enhance God’s image, as though he needed us to conduct a PR campaign for him. We say, “We’re not trying to replace God, just to help him out a bit. If we associate God with these other things that people already like, then they will like God more!” To which God says, “Nope, nada, nyet, non!”
  

• No gods made of silver and gold. I remember learning in Sunday school that the people in the Bible often had idols made of precious metals. My first reaction was to think that we were safe from that sin, “No idols in my life!” – until the teacher clarified that this prohibition also applied to the love of the stuff that silver and gold could buy us. “Uh-oh. Guilty as charged!”
  

• Sacrifices of offerings, sheep, goats, and cattle. Yet another aspect of the story that seemed to miss where I lived, but this time it’s something I was supposed to do and I didn’t. In fact, nobody did! The Sunday school teacher came through again! She pointed us to Romans 12:1 -- Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
  

• Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. This seems to be the point of the entire postscript to the Ten Commandments – honoring God’s name and that he desires to bless his people. Two verses come to mind as we view to culmination of the kingdom of God. The first shows how God himself is blessed and honored, and the second shows how God desires to bless us. In Revelation 7, as the great throng of people from every people group gathers around the throne of God, the angels proclaim, “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Rev 7:12). And in the last chapter of the Bible, “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” (Rev 22:14)

PRAYER

Almighty God, from the beginning to the end, you are God. You are worthy of all honor and blessing. You are the source of all blessings that we receive, though we do not deserve it. Lord God, command what you will, and grant what you command. Allow us the gracious privilege to live according to your Law, in Jesus’ name, Amen.