Exodus Chapter 22
The verse that stood out to me in this chapter is verse 27 that tells us that God is compassionate. He cares about those who are underprivileged or abused. God sees and hears the pain of those who cry out to Him when they are taken advantage of. We learn that God responds when people ask for His help. He doesn’t always respond in the way we think that He should, but He does respond. This beautiful verse that explains God’s great mercy and compassion sits right in the middle of a lot of rules and judgements. This helps us see that His rules and judgements were created for our benefit, just as good parents set boundaries for their children because they love them. Reading only a few verses here and there in the Bible can prevent us from truly understanding the greatness and lovingkindness of our Father.
Let's Reflect
1. You will find that these rules make good moral sense. These are the same rules that our country was founded upon. There are several verses that talk about stealing. God had already told them in the ten commandments that it was unlawful to steal. In our country we put someone in jail for stealing. In most all cases, what was God’s judgement when one man stole from another man?
2. What about a situation where your animal wanders out of your field into your neighbor’s field and it devours the neighbor’s crops?
3. If a man borrowed his neighbor’s animal, say a donkey, to use in his field and the donkey came up missing it would be up to that man to prove that he did not do harm to the donkey or sell it off for money. A possible scenario is given in verse 13 that would prove that the man meant to return the donkey and did not steal it. What may have happened to the donkey that he could show proof to his neighbor?
4. In verses 16 and 17 we learn about the compassion God has for a young virgin woman. If a man tried to seduce her and have casual sex outside of marriage, he would then need to do what to make things right?
“This was an exceedingly wise and humane law, and must have operated powerfully against seduction and fornication; because the person who might feel inclined to take the advantage of a young woman knew that he must marry her, and give her a dowry.” [Clarke].
5. Sorcery is defined as someone who has association with dark or demonic powers or persons. It is also associated with those who used potions or drugs to alter the mind. What was the punishment for a person who was a sorceress?
6. What does verse 23 tell us about how God feels about those who mistreat widows or orphans?
7. There are many passages throughout the Bible that shows God’s compassion for those who are poor. How should a person treat a poor person who has borrowed from him?
8. The last few verses speak of our responsibility to give God our “first fruits” of whatever we are given. This response of giving back to God what He has given to us shows our devotion to Him. We do not literally sacrifice our first-born child, but we can make it a practice to raise that child in such a way that we put a focus on God, recognizing that God gave us this special gift. The beginning of verse 31 describes the heart attitude we should have. What is that attitude?
