Monthly Archives: June 2024

EXODUS 21 LAWS REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL AND RESTITUTION

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July 2

EXODUS 21

28 “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable. 29 But if the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has been warned but has not kept it in, and it kills a man or a woman, the ox shall be stoned, and its owner also shall be put to death. 30 If a ransom is imposed on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is imposed on him. 31 If it gores a man’s son or daughter, he shall be dealt with according to this same rule. 32 If the ox gores a slave, male or female, the owner shall give to their master thirty shekelsof silver, and the ox shall be stoned. 33 “When a man opens a pit, or when a man digs a pit and does not cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, 34 the owner of the pit shall make restoration. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead beast shall be his. 35 “When one man’s ox butts another’s, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live ox and share its price, and the dead beast also they shall share. 36 Or if it is known that the ox has been accustomed to gore in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall repay ox for ox, and the dead beast shall be his. – Exodus 21:28-36

EXODUS 21 LAWS REGARDING ANIMAL CONTROL & RESTITUTION

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When we own animals, we are responsible for them

If they hurt someone, there ought to be restitution to the aggrieved

The Lord ensures that human life is more precious to him than beasts

He sets boundaries to owners of animals to keep human life preserved.

Isn’t it interesting that God didn’t forget animals in these following laws stipulated in this account? You will see that humans are expected to have control over their animals. As Genesis 1:26-28 says God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” It shouldn’t be a surprise if God calls man out to be responsible for their animals and the damage they may have caused. Restitution to the aggrieved must be paid off in order for the owners to manifest their accountability for their animals. Sadly, in our world today, we sometimes forget the boundaries through laws that God gave for us to follow. We violate them.

REFLECTION

  • How can domesticating animals be a danger for us to violate God’s boundaries?

EXODUS 21 LAWS ON VIOLENCE

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July 1

EXODUS 21

20 “When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. 21 But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be avenged, for the slave is his money.22 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. 23 But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.26 “When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye. 27 If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth. – Exodus 21:20-27

EXODUS 21 LAWS ON VIOLENCE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Every human life is precious to God who created all things

He made every person in his own image and likeness

Therefore, it is an offense against God when we harm anyone

He gave laws for us to remember that violence destroys his creation.

Though these verses are laws for slaves and masters to follow, we can clearly see the importance of following them as well in our lives. The dictionary definition of “violence” is defined as any behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something. I think that this is not a full definition because we are not just made up of physical matter, but God designed us with a mind, a soul, a spirit which are not all physical. So, if I’d like to add to that definition which could include hurting or damaging one’s soul, mind or spirit.

Notice how God especially mentions pregnant women. Remember, that it is the woman with child who bears another life inside her womb. They need to be given more care and protection because they are two persons in one body. To hurt someone is an act of violence to one individual, but to strike a pregnant woman is committed against two persons. Sadly, in our world today, there is not much honor and regard given to women in certain cultures. The world has disregarded the vessel whom God used to bring “life.”

REFLECTION

  • How do you think our laws protect women especially pregnant ones?

EXODUS 21 LAWS TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE & TO HONOR PARENTS

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June 30

EXODUS 21

12 “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. 13 But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. 14 But if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.16 “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.17 “Whoever curseshis father or his mother shall be put to death.18 “When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist and the man does not die but takes to his bed, 19 then if the man rises again and walks outdoors with his staff, he who struck him shall be clear; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall have him thoroughly healed.   – Exodus 21:12-19

EXODUS 21 LAWS TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE & TO HONOR PARENTS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord created life and every human is precious to him

Because God owns every human being, we have no right to kill

God stipulated laws so that the preservation of life will be honored

When humans exercise violence to harm someone, it is against life

When someone intentionally strike his parents, they ought to be punished

God brought about life through parents, so God wants them honored

Though these laws were originally made for slaves and masters, we can easily see how our civil and criminal laws were extracted from them. God was setting boundaries here regarding the importance of keeping peace, honor and love and most especially to preserve “life” whom he created himself.  If you look closely at civil and criminal laws made by governments in varying cultures, we will have a sense that these laws were based on God’s laws. The justice system ensures every human life to be preserved. What’s interesting in this account is the importance of honoring parents. In Exodus 20:12, God commanded us to honor our parents that our lives may be long. This only shows how the roles of parents are so precious to God. They are the ones who bring about human life in this world, which reminds parents of the special role they play in this world. They are responsible for every child they have brought about to life.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think the fifth commandment is the only one with a promise?

EXODUS 21 GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS ON MASTERS AND SLAVES

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June 29

EXODUS 21

“Now these are the rules that you shall set before them. 2 When you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve six years, and in the seventh he shall go out free, for nothing. 3 If he comes in single, he shall go out single; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out alone. 5 But if the slave plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ 6 then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.7 “When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. 8 If she does not please her master, who has designated he for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has broken faith with her. 9 If he designates her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter. 10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, or her marital rights. 11 And if he does not do these three things for her, she shall go out for nothing, without payment of money.  – Exodus 21:1-11

EXODUS 21 GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS ON MASTERS AND SLAVES

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God made laws for his people to follow regarding masters and slaves

The slaves bought by the master will serve him six years

The slaves shall be free on the seventh years unless he wants to stay

If he stays, his master brings it to God and he becomes his slave forever.

During those times, it was customary to buy slaves. This account is not just about slavery but it is mostly about how God set boundaries and stipulations that need to be followed so that there is fair treatment and justice between masters and slaves. If you think that this has no bearing on our current days when we no longer have slaves and masters, we can think of it in the workplace where we have employers and employees. God shows us his mercy and justice in this account. He wants to bring faithfulness and service to slaves but he also wants to bring them justice with fair treatment from their masters. Just as we are in the workforce, we need to stay faithful and honest to our employers.

REFLECTION

  • What was God’s point in giving them instructions regarding slaves and masters?

EXODUS 20 INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE ALTAR

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June 28

EXODUS 20

22 And the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold. 24 An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it. 26 And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it. – Exodus 20:22-26

EXODUS 20 INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE ALTAR

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord guides and instructs his people what kind of altar he wants

They are not to make an altar made of from silver or gold

The Lord wants them to make an altar made of earth

On it, they shall make sacrifices, whether sheep or oxen

If they use stone, it must not be cut stone or they defile it

They are not supposed to go up the steps so they’re not exposed.

The building of an altar was how people made atonement for their sins in those times. But now we have been saved by Jesus’ perfect sacrifice on the cross. Why would God be very specific about using earth or stone instead of gold or silver? I think that gold and silver are considered precious and distracts us from the true focus of the worship, who is God alone. As human beings, we put emphasis on physical things that are of value. God probably does not want us to be distracted from him and into the material used. It was to appease him of his anger and wrath over our sins.

The Babylonians built a very high altar almost reaching up to the sky, because they think they can see heaven better. The focus of the building is on their ability to built a towering altar, not on worshiping God. Now, that Jesus redeemed us through his death on the cross, we don’t have to physically build an altar. The Lord wants worshipers who worship him in truth and spirit. He wants our repentant heart and confession and reliance on him.

REFLECTION

  • What do you think of churches that still have altars?

EXODUS 20 THE REST OF GOD’S LAWS

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June 27

EXODUS 20

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery.15 “You shall not steal.16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraidand trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” 20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. – Exodus 20:12-21

EXODUS 20 THE REST OF GOD’S LAWS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

If you want to have a long life, respect your parents

And do not ever think of harming another human being

Stay faithful to the Lord your God and to your loved ones

Do not take what is not yours and someone else’s possessions

Make sure that you don’t utter lies against another person

If you follow God’s law, he will protect you and you’ll be treasured.

One law that has a promise of long life is to honor one’s parents. It is sad to watch many parents, especially those who do not know God, abuse or neglect their own children. The child’s development is stunted and because of an unsafe environment, that child grows up deprived of love and respect. It will be quite a challenge to honor their parents when they haven’t experienced love, care and acceptance themselves.

Notice how the laws of God have one theme: love God with everything you got and love others as yourself. They were summarized by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39. If we follow the summarized version of the law, we will definitely follow the rest of his commands. Our relationships will be focused on loving God and treating ourselves and others with love.

REFLECTION

  • How are God’s commands like healthy boundaries that protect all human beings?

EXODUS 19 ON IDOLATRY AND THE SABBATH

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June 26

EXODUS 20

And God spoke all these words, saying,2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.3 “You shall have no other gods before me.4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousandsof those who love me and keep my commandments.7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

                                                                                        – Exodus 20:1-11

EXODUS 19 ON IDOLATRY AND THE SABBATH

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God spoke to his people all his requirements and laws through Moses

He commanded them not to make an image of the Lord their God

They are only to bow down to him and no one else, for he is jealous

He reminded them to remember that it was him who rescued them

If they disobey these laws, their children will bear the consequences

From third to fourth generation, they shall experience God’s wrath

But to those who follow his laws and praise and honor God

They will receive God’s blessings and will receive his steadfast love.

God emphasized the importance of faithfulness to him and to his laws. One cannot say they are true believers and disobey the commands of God. These two commands reveal who he is and how he hates sin. He wants complete faithfulness from his people.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God didn’t want images of him made as verse 4 says?

EXODUS 19 GOD SETS BOUNDARIES TO HIS PEOPLE

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June 25

EXODUS 19

21 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down and warn the people, lest they break through to the Lord to look and many of them perish. 22 Also let the priests who come near to the Lord consecrate themselves, lest the Lord break out against them.” 23 And Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up to Mount Sinai, for you yourself warned us, saying, ‘Set limits around the mountain and consecrate it.’” 24 And the Lord said to him, “Go down, and come up bringing Aaron with you. But do not let the priests and the people break through to come up to the Lord, lest he break out against them.” 25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.  – Exodus 19:21-25

EXODUS 19 GOD SETS BOUNDARIES TO HIS PEOPLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God came down to let his people feel his presence

He gave limits so that they will not go over such borders

They were also cautioned not to look or they will perish

The priests and the people were to follow these boundaries.

In this account, we witness God’s love by warning his own people of the limits that he requires from them. By setting these boundaries, he is making it clear about his divinity. The Lord is not like any other human, that they could just look at and continue to live. He is also cautioning his people not to overstep these limits. Because of our sinful nature, we become so curious about many things that are not within the parameters that God has given us. God knows our nature. Because he is a God of order and not of chaos, the Lord is very clear with the limitations of our freedom and his majestic presence. Remember how Eve sinned in paradise? She was very curious to find out how she could have knowledge like God, which led her to take Satan’s bait. God was very clear with his roles as Provider, Defender, Protector, Nurturer and Giver of Life. He wanted his people to know that they cannot take those roles that only he can do. Oftentimes, we overstep these roles by self-reliance and our little understanding of God’s character. We problem solve things beyond our understanding instead of relying on God. We question why God allows us to suffer or not give us what we want. We are impatient instead of standing on his promises. We believe lies from this world instead of focusing on truths.

REFLECTION

  • What are some of the ways believers overstep God’s boundaries to his people?

EXODUS 19 GOD’S PRESENCE FELT IN MOUNT SINAI

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June 24

EXODUS 19

16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. – Exodus 19:16-20

EXODUS 19 GOD’S PRESENCE FELT IN MOUNT SINAI

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Moses instructed them to cleanse from their impurities in three days

On the morning of the third day, the mountain was covered by a thick cloud

Then a very loud trumpet blast was heard and they were all trembling

Then Moses presented them to God and they stood at the foot of the mountain

The Lord descended on the mountain on fire and smoke enveloped them

God’s presence was felt and his voice in thunder was heard by his people.

This is a very powerful meeting between God and his people. They didn’t literally see God but the Lord surely made his powerful and glorious presence felt. No one else could have that power to come down in fire and be covered with smoke. God’s love for his people was clearly manifested in this smoke because they would have all died if they directly saw him. Imagine wildfires in the mountains. You could barely see anything because of all the smoke produced by these fires. I am sure you will be totally scared and trembling in fear.  The power of this burning heat that turns into smoke is overwhelming. I remember as a child experiencing a market on fire just beside our house. I could hear the crackling of the fire burning the building and saw the smoke that it produced. It was an unforgettable experience. I can imagine why the Israelites were all trembling. God showed his Almighty Power and Majesty through his Shekeniah (presence of God in the world). His glorious power should remind us how he hates sin and evil and his desire for our holiness as well.

REFLECTION

  • How is fear of the Lord very different from the world’s concept of “fear?”

EXODUS 19 PURIFICATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE

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June 23

EXODUS 19

When Moses told the words of the people to the Lord, 10 the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” 14 So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people; and they washed their garments. 15 And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.” – Exodus 19:9-15

EXODUS 19 PURIFICATION OF GOD’S PEOPLE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When the Lord chose his own people, he wanted them cleansed

God gave Moses instructions to follow in order for purification to happen

The Israelites were to wash their garments and be ready in three days

On the third day, the Lord will come down in their sight in Mt. Sinai

They were cautioned to stay at a distance so that they won’t be stoned

No hands were to touch the mountain or they couldn’t go near a woman.

1 Peter 1:15-16 says15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” This is the context of the Lord’s requirement for his people in Mt. Sinai. Washing their clothes was symbolic of cleansing their hearts, soul and mind from all sin and impurities that come from the world. They were also required to respect the boundary that God placed on the foot of the mountain for their own sake. They would die if they stepped or touched it. Verse 15 actually meant, not to have sexual contact with a woman or their wives. It sounds very harsh to follow such stipulations in order to experience God’s presence, doesn’t it? But God is a holy God and he wants his people holy in order for him to come down and show himself to us. He hates sin and corruption so he can’t be with us when we are impure.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it important to regularly confess and repent of our sins as Christians?