Exodus Chapter 23
The Israelites did not know what they would face in the future as they headed to take possession of the promised land, but they had the promises of God that He would go before them, and He would take care of the opposition for them. The only thing God wanted in return was their allegiance to Him and their obedience. God cared about them so much that He sent a very special angel to go with them as they journeyed. This angel was one that had the name of God in Him. Bible scholars teach us that this is not an ordinary angel, but it is another early appearance of Jesus. God the Father sent Jesus to be their leader and protector.
As you read through these rules and traditions you will find that many of them were to be instituted in their future life. For example, in verse 19 speaks of the command to bring their first fruits of their harvest into the house of the LORD. They were told that they were to do this before the house of the LORD was even built. And technically they do not yet have fields to harvest from, but they will. God is going to bless them mightily in their future. Not because they deserve it, but because God wants to bless them.
Let's Reflect
1. The first nine verses speak of integrity. God wanted His people to be people of great integrity. He also wanted them to demonstrate compassion as He is compassionate. God gave the people examples of how they could be compassionate to others. What is one of those examples?
2. What were they to do specifically in the management of their future fields?
3. Verse 13 tells us how serious God was about them not worshipping other gods. In verse 19 they were not to follow suit of some pagans who boiled a young kid (baby goat or lamb) in milk in a ritual believed to bring about good harvest. What did God tell them not to do in verse 13?
4. Instead of all the strange things of those pagan religions, the Israelites were to celebrate God and all that He had done for them in their worship. What three feasts are mentioned here that will be annual celebrations of the goodness of God?
5. The people were to follow and obey the Angel of the LORD that God sent to them. Just as Jesus will one day judge the world it says in verse 21 that Jesus will do what to the rebellious?
6. As they journeyed, God told them that they would encounter enemy forces. He promised them that He would fight their battles for them. Verse 28 sounds like an unusual way that God will fight for them, but it literally happened that way. What was the way God said He would fight for them?
7. What did God repeat several times that they were not to do as He drove their enemies out?
