Author Archives: ilmaarts

EXODUS 23 REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE PROMISED LAND

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July 9

EXODUS 23

20 “Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. 21 Pay careful attention to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, for my name is in him. 22 “But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. 23 “When my angel goes before you and brings you to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites, the Hivites and the Jebusites, and I blot them out, 24 you shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor do as they do, but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces. 25 You shall serve the Lord your God, and hewill bless your bread and your water, and I will take sickness away from among you.   – Exodus 23:20-25

EXODUS 23 REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE PROMISED LAND

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God was faithful to deliver the Israelites to the land he promised them

An angel of the Lord will be with them when they arrived at that land

The Lord expected them to obey whatever the angel tells them

If they do so, all the people living in Canaan will perish

They need only to serve the Lord their God and no other gods

Then they’ll be blessed if they do so and diseases will leave them all.

In this account, the Lord gave specific instructions to his people as they proceeded to the promised land of Canaan.  Although many nations still dwell in it like the Hittites, Perizzites and the Canaanites, God sent an angel to ensure that they will be able to take over the land and claim it.

The Lord God required from his people complete obedience to whatever the angel tells them to do. They were specifically instructed not to have other gods but him. Since these nations were bowing down to their own gods, the Lord didn’t want them to have anything to do with these pagan gods that they worship. As a result of obedience, they will triumph over these people dwelling in the land that was promised to Abraham. God was faithful to rescue them, he required the same devotion from his covenant people as well.

REFLECTION

  • What awaits those who obey and stay faithful to serve the Lord?

EXODUS 23 ON THE SABBATICAL YEAR AND FEASTS

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July 8

EXODUS 23

10 “For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the beasts of the field may eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard. 12 “Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.13 “Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.14 “Three times in the year you shall keep a feast to me. 15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. As I commanded you, you shall eat unleavened bread for seven days at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. None shall appear before me empty-handed. 16 You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. You shall keep the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in from the field the fruit of your labor. 17 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the Lord God.18 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the fat of my feast remain until the morning.19 “The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.  – Exodus 23:10-19

EXODUS 23 ON THE SABBATICAL YEAR AND FEASTS

This account tells us how God instituted the sabbatical year. Each time the seventh year comes, they are to rest so that the animals, the slaves and the fields could have a respite. This requirement is also stated in the ten commandments that God gave Moses for his people to follow which is to honor the Sabbath day. This day is a day of rest from work so that they will be able to designate that day for pure worship and thanksgiving for the Lord.  Six years they shall work on the field and get the yield from it and rest on the seventh year. The Lord also required for them to commemorate certain feasts like the Unleavened bread, Harvest and Ingathering. According to some commentaries, these were designed for God’s people to remember the bounty that God gave them and also to remember to depend on God always for fruits from their labor. By celebrating these feasts, they will be able to share their joy and thanksgiving as a whole community to a faithful God who constantly takes care of them and provides for all their needs.

REFLECTION How are modern festivals in our countries very different from God’s feasts?

EXODUS 23 LAWS ON PARTIALITY, JUSTICE & KINDNESS

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July 7

EXODUS 23

“You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness. 2 You shall not fall in with the many to do evil, nor shall you bear witness in a lawsuit, siding with the many, so as to pervert justice, 3 nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his lawsuit. 4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.6 “You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his lawsuit. 7 Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. 8 And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.9 “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. – Exodus 23:1-9

EXODUS 23 LAWS ON PARTIALITY, JUSTICE & KINDNESS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord prohibits us from bearing false witness against someone

Partiality must not be exercised in order for justice not to be perverted

There must be no discrimination in showing kindness to others

Foreigners must also be treated with respect like any one else you’ll encounter.

The book of James covers the sin of partiality in chapter two. In the first verse of this chapter, he reminds believers that partiality must not be exercised by anyone who claims they believe in Jesus Christ. In verse 8 of James 2, he directs us why we cannot be partial because of the royal law, which is to love your neighbor as yourself. In verse 12 he also talks about justice and mercy: that those who have not shown mercy will be judged because mercy triumphs over judgment. He calls this the law of liberty.

I referred to the book of James because it covered these following verses in Exodus 23 that tackles the same requirements for God’s people to follow. Matther 7:12 also summarizes this. 12 “So, whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. It reminds us of God’s nature which is clearly spoken about in 1 John 4:8 which says “8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” If you claim you know God, you will be impartial, just and kind.

REFLECTION

  • What can you say about those who discriminate the poor, the sick and needy?

EXODUS 22 ON TREATING THE POOR & GIVING YOUR BEST TO GOD

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July 6

EXODUS 22

25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.29 “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. 30 You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.31 “You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs. – Exodus 22:25-31

EXODUS 22 ON TREATING THE POOR AND ON GIVING YOUR BEST TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

The Lord wants us to show compassion to the poor and needy

Whenever they come to us, we ought to give out of generosity

We must give our best when we give an offering to God

For he is the one who gave us all that we possess and have.

Many bible verses tell us that we serve a God who is full of steadfast love and compassion. He takes care of all our needs and always comforts us.  He is merciful and just in how he treats us, forgiving us and doesn’t give us punishments we deserve all the time.

Since he made us all in his own image, he placed in our hearts an ability to show compassion and love for others as well. But because of our sinful nature, we usually forget to show such consideration and kindness to the poor and needy. We get so wrapped up in our own little world that we build for ourselves, one that prioritizes our comfort and our security. Because we live in a fallen world, we only think of our own welfare most of the time. God stipulated laws so we can go against our nature and follow the design that he made us to be: loving and compassionate human beings. He requires us to give our best to him. I think it is a protection for our idolatrous nature to ask from us to give our best to him so we don’t feed our selfish nature that wants to go against God’s design.

REFLECTION

·       How can our selfish nature hinder us from being compassionate to others?

EXODUS 22 LAWS ON FORNICATION & BESTIALITY

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July 5

EXODUS 22

16 “If a man seduces a virginwho is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins.18 “You shall not permit a sorceress to live. 19 “Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death.20 “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be devoted to destruction. 21 “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. – Exodus 22:16-24

EXODUS 22 LAWS ON FORNICATION & BESTIALITY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God made man and woman for each other in marriage so that they can multiply

They are to give their bodies to each other within the sanctity of marriage

Any act of fornication outside of marriage is a violation of God’s design for sex

When a man or a woman has sex with an animal, it is an abomination to God.

Why would God include laws on fornication and bestiality? We serve a very detailed and specific God who sees everything including what’s inside of us. He lays down boundaries.

In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, we are told that God owns our bodies and is the temple of the Holy Spirit. We don’t own our bodies and we were bought with a price. What does this practically mean for us? Since God is the owner and we are not, we have no right to do anything we want with it. We cannot just have sex with any other person or defile our bodies having union with someone out of marriage, especially not with an animal. Bestiality is defined as sex between a human and an animal. When a human engages in this kind of perversion, he/she has lowered down God’s design to being just like animals, which do not have an intellect and a will. Premarital sex has been prevalent in our society nowadays that men and women do not know the gravity of the effects of this in our well being. Sex is not just a physical act but also an emotional bond. People will experience feelings of guilt, embarrassment, distrust, resentment, lack of respect when they indulge

In pre-marital sex or adultery.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God was very specific about laws against defiling our bodies?

EXODUS 22 ON BORROWING AND LENDING

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July 4

EXODUS 22

9 For every breach of trust, whether it is for an ox, for a donkey, for a sheep, for a cloak, or for any kind of lost thing, of which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before God. The one whom God condemns shall pay double to his neighbor.10 “If a man gives to his neighbor a donkey or an ox or a sheep or any beast to keep safe, and it dies or is injured or is driven away, without anyone seeing it, 11 an oath by the Lord shall be between them both to see whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property. The owner shall accept the oath, and he shall not make restitution. 12 But if it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to its owner. 13 If it is torn by beasts, let him bring it as evidence. He shall not make restitution for what has been torn.14 “If a man borrows anything of his neighbor, and it is injured or dies, the owner not being with it, he shall make full restitution. 15 If the owner was with it, he shall not make restitution; if it was hired, it came for its hiring fee.– Exodus 22:9-15

EXODUS 22 ON BORROWING AND LENDING

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When one borrows something from someone

It is with care and respect that the borrower handles them

If the borrowed object was damaged by the borrower

Just compensation is expected if the damage was intentional.

In Proverbs 22:7, it says that the borrower is slave to the lender. There is truth to this because when we use someone else’s property, we ought to take care of it while we are using it. Same goes when we borrow money, we ought to responsibly pay it back. The lender must not enslave the borrower with very high interest rates if they are to honor the laws of the Lord. These laws teach us boundaries and how to honor other people’s possessions. It teaches us to be responsible for those things that do not belong to us and also to honor the oaths and agreements we take. Integrity is key in lending and borrowing. Ps 37:21 says “The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives.” The word of God is clear that when something is borrowed it should be paid back. Someone refusing to repay manifests a wicked heart. God wants us to have a generous and giving heart.

REFLECTION

  • How is it dangerous to lend something to someone wicked and untrustworthy?

EXODUS 22 CONSEQUENCES OF THEFT

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July 3

EXODUS 22

“If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and kills it or sells it, he shall repay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, 3 but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him. Heshall surely pay. If he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the stolen beast is found alive in his possession, whether it is an ox or a donkey or a sheep, he shall pay double.5 “If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over, or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man’s field, he shall make restitution from the best in his own field and in his own vineyard.6 “If fire breaks out and catches in thorns so that the stacked grain or the standing grain or the field is consumed, he who started the fire shall make full restitution. 7 “If a man gives to his neighbor money or goods to keep safe, and it is stolen from the man’s house, then, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. 8 If the thief is not found, the owner of the house shall come near to God to show whether or not he has put his hand to his neighbor’s property.  – Exodus 22:1-8

EXODUS 22 CONSEQUENCES OF THEFT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God commanded us not to steal someone else’s possession

This is a boundary that brings order and leads to a good relation

When one takes what does not belong to him, he violates that boundary

The thief must be able to pay back what he stole if found guilty.

According to a commentary by Guzik, the Mosaic law does not send a person to jail because of theft. Instead, they are required to pay what he stole plus additional penalties. Another commentary from Kaiser says: In this passage, the penalty could be anywhere from 500% (he shall restore five oxen for an ox) to 200% (he shall restore double). “The reason for the fivefold penalty in the case of stealing an ox is probably because one man stole the means of another man’s livelihood. The principle would extend to taking any of the man’s plowing or cultivating implements.”

God commands us not to steal in Exodus 20:15 and 17. During those times, animals were the source of their livelihood. These laws were probably designed for the judges to implement the proper restitution for the damage of the theft.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God prohibits us from stealing? What does it do to us?

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?