Year 7, Day 71: Exodus 22

Theological Commentary: Click Here

Today we start what is typically considered the lesser exciting half of the book of Exodus.  There are still plenty of things about which we can talk.  The action certainly slows down, however.

As we look at the laws mandated by God to Moses, I am struck by just how many of them deal with the issue of fairness in human interaction.  Whenever property is considered, restitution is required if there is negligent behavior.  In most cases, such restitution is costlier than the item stolen.  There can be no doubt that God is trying to send the message that sinful behavior doesn’t pay.  In fact, sin usually costs us more than we are willing to give.

I also found the laws governing those of lesser power interesting.  God puts it right out there: don’t abuse the foreigner in your midst.  After all, how can we expect people to want to imitate us if we are mean and rude and mistreat them?  Or, what about the law that if a man takes a woman that isn’t his to take, he has to pay the bride price to the father.  I also really love the caveat that even if the father refuses to give her away, he still has to pay.  This prevents a disreputable man from taking a wife forcibly when he couldn’t get one the civil way.  Notice that God also cares about the care of the widows and orphans.  God’s message is simple: He cares about how we treat people who are less powerful than we are.

We are not to take advantage of others.  We are not to misuse our power.  We are not to live selfishly and think only of our own gain.

There might not be much action in these chapters, but there is plenty for us to learn.  We can always look at our lives and examine if we are truly living in obedience to God.  While I often find these chapters inherently less interesting to read, they often cause me to think much more deeply about my life.

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