Bible Talks

From: Messages of God's Love: 1937

Some Interesting Laws to Israel Exodus 22 and 23.

IN school you study many laws made by men. But there are none better than God gave to the Israelites. You will find it of interest to notice some of them, besides the ten commandments. Here are a few:

If anyone started a fire which spread, so fields were burned, that person was to repay the loss (Exo. 22:6⁶If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. (Exodus 22:6)).

No one should trouble a stranger who might come among them; but remember they had been strangers in Egypt (Exo. 22:21²¹Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 22:21)).

They should not trouble a widow or a fatherless child (Exo. 22:22, 23²²Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. ²³If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; (Exodus 22:22‑23)).

They should not start a false report, or give untrue witness about anything (Exo. 23:1¹Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. (Exodus 23:1)).

No one should do evil, even though many were doing the evil (Exo. 23:2²Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: (Exodus 23:2)).

They were to help those in trouble (Exo. 23:5⁵If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. (Exodus 23:5)).

They should not take a gift, or bribe, to say or do wrong (Exo. 23:8⁸And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:8)).

They should leave some grain and fruit in their fields for the poor to gather (Exo. 23:11¹¹But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard. (Exodus 23:11)).

These were laws even the boys and girls could obey. If any disobeyed, the law said they were to be punished.

When we read these just and holy laws we can only say we have disobeyed, too, and thank the Lord Jesus for His great love in taking the punishment of sin for all who trust in Him.

“No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident; for ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Galatians 3:11¹¹But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. (Galatians 3:11).

ML 05/23/1937

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