God Reveals His Judgments
Text: Exodus Chapters 21-24
The "Law of Moses" was in three parts. As already mentioned previously there were not just Ten Commandments given to Israel. In fact it can be said that these Ten Commandments were given to every nation. After all these Ten Commandments were written with the finger of God.
There were 613 commandments given to the nation of Israel at this time of Moses.
God gave the nation of Israel her Constitution. Written down for them in Exodus, Leviticus, and in Deuteronomy. To obey these words of God would bring the Blessing of God.
1.) The Ten Commandments, (The moral law) The Governmental authority of God. God's claim to his people.
2.) The second (The civil laws) the social laws to the nation of Israel. How to be a Godly society.
3.) The third (The ceremonial laws) were given to Israel in respect to their religious life and activities. These are mostly found in the Book of Leviticus and many "types" of Christ can be seen.
A.) We have just finished the chapters of the "Moral" law called the Ten Commandments, Remember what the "Serpent" told Eve:
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, [knowing good and evil].
To know and obey the Ten Commandments is to know the difference between "Good and Evil". Most every person in the world knows these things from within themselves. These commandments are our measuring stick for ethical and moral decisions.
B.) We can find the Civil Laws in these Chapters we are about to look into. These are laws of social concerns but also to include laws of slavery, injury to others financially and physically, property rights, oppression to widows and orphans, money lending and many others.
C.) The ceremonial laws were for the Nation of Israel in their worship, in the Tabernacle and the future Temple.
We will see that this nation understood and committed themselves to this Book of the Covenant.
Exo 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: [and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient].
They were not forced to give this answer. They agreed that these were good laws.
We know that Paul wrote of these things in the New Testament:
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 [Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross];
God gave us His Ten Commandments to insure that there would be order and justice in society even in the days we live in. When men obey His laws, there comes peace and prosperity.
The problems we face are not these laws!
The problems come from sinful man!
We have to make a conscious choice to be law abiding citizens. Israel had to make these same choices.
*****Our text:
Exodus 21
Exo 21:1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
Exo 21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
Exo 21:3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
Exo 21:4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.
Exo 21:5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
Exo 21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
The Holy Spirit has decided that to begin these judgments we must first understand what it is to be a servant.
The Bible says of the Messiah:
Psa 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Psa 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Who was this "Perfect Servant"?
Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Zec 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Isa 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Of course we know that these scriptures were fulfilled in Jesus!
The New Testament says:
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, [and took upon him the form of a servant], and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
We know that this directly says it was God, (Jehovah God) who became this servant. Not many in our world believe this anymore and most never have.
If we cannot accept this truth of the Bible then we need to just throw all God's Word in the trash for none of the rest can be true!
The Gospel of Mark shows us how He served and He continues to do so for all that believe for He is now our intercessor with the Father.
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Even at the age of twelve Jesus knew what He must do:
Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luk 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
It is said that there seven billion people on this earth today and the biggest majority do not understand the Word that Our Lord speaks to us.
Jesus insisted that He came to do the will of the Father in Heaven:
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Jesus never felt like He had pleased His Father in Heaven:
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 [For even Christ pleased not himself]; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
You see this should be the mind of all servants of The Lord!
If Our Lord came as a "Servant" then what right have we to ignore the work He has given us.
God did not give us the Holy Spirit for our enjoyment as much as He gave Him to us for our employment!
The Words of Jesus:
Luk 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? [but I am among you as he that serveth].
It is the "Servant" that is greatest in the eyes of God!
Jesus chose to be a "Servant". Never at any point did Jesus deviate from serving at the Will of the Father in Heaven!
Verse 2)
The Hebrew "servant" was bought and was to serve for only six years.
We know that "six" is the number of man:
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. [Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man]; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
What does man own if we know that the Owner of man is God? It is man's responsibility to realize we are owned by our Maker!
Therefore Jesus said:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Notice in the seventh year the Hebrew Servant was to be set free, his obligation fulfilled.
When the Lord Jesus came to this earth to obey the will of the Father, He fulfilled His obligation on the cross.
Verse 3,4.)
We know Our Lord had no wife when he entered into the servitude of His Father:
Isa 50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
Now according to the Law then His work complete, He could go back to Heaven free of any other work but He was to go out alone.
Now we know that Jesus could have no union with any wife so long as He was in the flesh:
Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
It is only on "resurrected ground" that a union with Christ Jesus could occur. Only after Jesus came out of the grave did He call the disciples "brethren".
Verse 5,6.)
You see it was the Love of Our Lord will not go out to freedom without His wife.
This He did because of Love!
Jesus was not obligated by the Hebrew Laws to save this wife. He could have gone free. Remember Jesus was sin free because He obeyed all the Laws of His Father.
In our text we notice that the wife and the children are listed separately.
Heb 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and [the children which God hath given me].
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
We notice that in God's Word, Israel is never called the Children of God. Then in this scripture Israel must be the "wife". The "Children of God" then must be the Church the Bride of Christ.
Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
"he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever"
By boring the ear it marked the devoted servant. The doorpost marks the place where the family entered and a sign of personal limits and therefore does not pertain to strangers. Notice we saw earlier it was on the door post that the Blood was applied.
Jesus Christ did not die for the human race, He died for the Household of God.(all that will believe).
The Bible says:
Joh 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
and:
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save [his people] from their sins.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: [the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep].
Those that go through the door.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him [to be made like unto his brethren], that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto [them that look for him] shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Those that are not looking for Him cannot be saved.
*****So in our scripture when the Master(The Father) bored the ear of the the servant(Our Lord), so long as he lived he would bare the marks of his servitude.
So too, the Lord Jesus Christ will wear forever the mark of the Cross!
Jesus said to doubting Thomas:
Joh 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And we see later:
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, [stood a Lamb as it had been slain], having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Though Our Lord be ascended he still ministers to His own!
"when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end"
Joh 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Joh 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Joh 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, [The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him].
Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The Bible says again:
Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Our Lord still wants to be our servant!
*****Our text:
Exodus 21:12-36
The Law Concerning Personal Injury.
It's not hard to see how God feels about:
1.) Murder
2.) Adultery
3.) Homosexuality
4.) Abortion
5.) Capitol Punishment
The world today says that God is harsh to require the death penalty but God wants us to take sin seriously.
The world today treat Sin like a "cupcake" when Sin is really a "Serpent"!
It is the governments of this world that say a woman has a right to allow the death of her baby and that murderers should go unpunished for killing the innocent.
It is this world that simplifies adultery as just "having an affair" yet families are destroyed by such actions.
It is this world that says homosexuality is just "some alternate lifestyle" and all involved are "gay" like this way of living is just too joyful to be missed.
Just in America, the money spent on death row inmates in appeal would go a long way in keeping the homeless off the streets. Our jails have become civic centers for those that ignore the Laws and will never be obedient to them.
There is only one way to treat the the confirmed murderer as he is a local terrorist. God says to put them to death so they can cause no further harm and it would be a sign to those that would follow. The world needs to treat the terrorist who are simply murderers and killers, the exact same way.
Exo 21:12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Exo 21:13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
Exo 21:14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
Notice how these persons:
1.) Lie in wait determined to have their own will.
2.) How they come arrogantly and willfully to commit these crimes.
Notice how God shows us that there is a difference in what happens by accident and what happens intentionally.
God insisted that there would be respect in the home by all family members but especially the children to the parents.
God insisted that if you caused harm to another that you be held responsible for your actions.
God insisted that there would be no kidnapping or abductions for slavery.
God insisted that the unborn child was considered to be alive while still in the womb.
Jesus explained what "an eye for an eye" really meant:
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
God insisted that the owner of animals be held responsible for the actions of those animals. We can readily see that in some cases with animals only, where money could be used in place of "capitol punishment".
In our world you can go to jail for causing harm to an animal and this is true but when you cause harm to another human being the innocent victim is set aside while lawyers defend the rights of the guilty. Tell me this is not backwards.
If a dog bites someone they are put to death. When a terrorist, or murderer, or killer maims or kills some one they are treated as having a reason for their actions. This is still backwards in our world.
*****Our Text:
Exodus 22:1-23:12
The Law Concerning Property and Human Rights
An animal that was stolen was valued at five times if that animal died but two times if that animal lived. God knew that even animals can suffer from trauma.
If that burglar was at night killed in his actions then the property owner was not held accountable for his life but if that burglar was killed in the daytime then the property owner was held responsible unless his life was threatened and this was provable.
If someone or the things they owned caused damage to someone else property then the damage must be compensated for. This included damages to borrowed and things for hire(rented).
We can see that the family was directly involved in the marriages of their daughters. The man had to be approved and even concentual fornication was not allowed without approval and then compensation for the future well being of that daughter, as her reputation would be tarnished. To be a virgin bride still meant something in those days. If this child were engaged to another man whom the family had approved then both guilty parties were stoned.
1.) To Rape brought death to the rapist.
2.) To commit adultery while engaged brought death to both parties.
3.) To commit adultery while married this also brought the death penalty.
Deu 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Deu 22:23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
Deu 22:24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
Deu 22:25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:
Deu 22:26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
Deu 22:27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
Deu 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
Deu 22:29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.
To be a "virgin" was highly prized but more so the marriage was truly a sacred thing.
God is real serious about the "marriage between one man and one woman"!
God is real serious about how to treat strangers. They were to be treated as a friend.
God is real serious about how to treat the widow and the orphan. They were to be cared for.
God is real serious about gossip, and bad mouthing anyone.
God is real serious about bribery. Our politicians should be aware of these things.
God is real serious about the abuse of the land we live on. Each property owner to not abuse his land.
God is real serious about resting one day out of seven and this included the animals that were in the work place.
God is real serious about taking advantage of the poor and the homeless.
Deu 24:10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.
Deu 24:11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.
Deu 24:12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
Deu 24:13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
God is real serious about taking advantage of any hired employee.
Deu 24:14 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
Deu 24:15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
God is real serious of how any nation makes such laws for it's people and also how those laws are enforced.
*****Our text:
Exodus 23:13-19
The Law Concerning Worship
Once the families of that nation understands their own responsibilities then God is serious about His Worship. We cannot truly "Worship" the Almighty God if we have not been obedient to His laws of how to treat His people and His families.
God teaches that all believers are to fear Him!
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1.) To "Fear God" to the believer means to have the knowledge that God will never do anything wrong in our lives. We are to obey His Word that He has given to us.
2.) To "Fear God" to the unbeliever means to realize the truth of Hell and to know that unless you come to know this God as your Savior you will spend eternity in Hell with no way to escape.
3.) To "Fear God" to Israel was to honor this covenant they were receiving at this time of the Exodus.
*****Those three feast are:
a.) The "Feast of the Unleavened bread"
b.) The "Feast of the Firstfruits"
c.) The "Feast of the Ingathering"
God is serious about His Worship to all and especially to all that believe on Him!
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Exodus 23:20-33
The Angel of the Lord
Exo 23:20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
1.) This Angel had the power to "Lead" these people in the "Way" of God.
2.) This Angel had the power to "Keep" these people in the "Way" of God.
3.) This Angel had the power to "Speak" the Word of God!
Exo 23:22 says "But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak"
4.) This Angel had the power to "Cut off the enemies of Israel".
Exo 23:23 [For mine Angel shall go before thee], and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and [I will cut them off].
Every nation would be better off if they would just believe what this verse says! It is Jesus Christ that is the "Prince of Peace" and there will be no Peace until Jesus comes again.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, [The Prince of Peace].
Wake Up America!
Wake Up World!
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
THIS ANGEL HAD THE NAME AS GOD!
Exo 23:21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: [for my name is in him].
To the Believer, the Christian:
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, [pass the time of your sojourning here in fear]:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
DO WE ACTUALLY HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING?
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
GOD SAYS IF WE ARE HIS SHEEP WE WILL HEAR HIM!
We can only say then that those who we see in disobedience must not hear Him not because they cannot hear but because they blinded by the god of this world, Satan, the Devil.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
To follow this Angel would bring blessings from The Lord Thy God:
1.) Thy Bread:
God will take care of our daily needs
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psa 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
2.) Thy Water:
God will take care of our Spiritual needs
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
3.) Thy Sickness:
God will bear our infirmities and our sickness.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
God demanded that Israel be separate from all other nations!
God expects, in fact He demands we that believe to separate ourselves from the evils of this world!
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
God gave this new nation of Israel nine "I Wills" or nine things that He would do, "IF" they would obey His commandments.
Remember this was a "Conditional Covenant".
*****Our text:
Exodus 24
The Covenant is "Ratified".
Ratify means to be confirmed by both parties. In other words there was no misunderstanding at all!
Exo 24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and [all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do].
As we go through these scriptures we should readily see in plain language is that man cannot approach unto God on the grounds of his own works.
"worship ye afar off. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD"
The only way to approach this Holy God is through a "Mediator"!
For Israel that was Moses at this time.
For the Church:
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
This was told to Israel before the covenant was ratified and before there were any failures to obey. There will be no excuses at the White Throne of Judgment.
No one can come unto the Father without the Work of Jesus:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Moses alone could only approach because he was the "mediator". (A "type" of Christ)
Christ had to suffer for our sins to be our "mediator".
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, [that he might bring us to God], being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Notice the nation of Israel spoke in one voice at this time:
"and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient"
They had a godly fear of the Lord at this time. How soon things would change but they had committed themselves to this conditional covenant called now the Covenant of Moses or the Laws of Moses.
There are 14 verses in the New Testament that refer directly to these laws.
EVEN THIS COVENANT WAS SEALED WITH BLOOD!
Exo 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Now that the blood had been applied we can see in "type" the privilege to those that are under the "Blood":
Exo 24:10 [And they saw the God of Israel]: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
Exo 24:11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: [also they saw God], and did eat and drink.
We can see the future of this Nation when they return to God:
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and [made them white in the blood of the Lamb].
1.) The "sapphire stone" speaks of Divine government, the Throne of God.
Eze 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
2.) The "body of heaven in clearness" speaks of the The finished work of Our Lord Jesus.
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
The unapproachable glory of God tells a sinner to keep off, but the altar shows him how he can feast and worship in God’s presence.
By the Law we never hear draw near but "worship ye afar off" but to the Church we always hear:
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
What will we learn from a more complete study of God's Word?
Israel's history continued for more than 1500 years yet never again did their elders "see God"!
Never yet again have they eaten in His presence!
What Israel missed as a nation, the Church is blessed with for eternity!
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
The Glory of the Lord was seen for seven more days:
Exo 24:16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
Exo 24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Exo 24:18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
His Glory was like a "devouring fire":
Unapproachable to Israel but to the Church, the believer:
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And now we will see the Holy Spirit will focus on Moses as a "type of Christ".
"Moses went into the midst of the cloud"
And Our Lord:
Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
We know and will learn next how Moses was shown the example and the instructions to build the Tabernacle.
Let's Pray!
Text: Exodus Chapters 21-24
The "Law of Moses" was in three parts. As already mentioned previously there were not just Ten Commandments given to Israel. In fact it can be said that these Ten Commandments were given to every nation. After all these Ten Commandments were written with the finger of God.
There were 613 commandments given to the nation of Israel at this time of Moses.
God gave the nation of Israel her Constitution. Written down for them in Exodus, Leviticus, and in Deuteronomy. To obey these words of God would bring the Blessing of God.
1.) The Ten Commandments, (The moral law) The Governmental authority of God. God's claim to his people.
2.) The second (The civil laws) the social laws to the nation of Israel. How to be a Godly society.
3.) The third (The ceremonial laws) were given to Israel in respect to their religious life and activities. These are mostly found in the Book of Leviticus and many "types" of Christ can be seen.
A.) We have just finished the chapters of the "Moral" law called the Ten Commandments, Remember what the "Serpent" told Eve:
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, [knowing good and evil].
To know and obey the Ten Commandments is to know the difference between "Good and Evil". Most every person in the world knows these things from within themselves. These commandments are our measuring stick for ethical and moral decisions.
B.) We can find the Civil Laws in these Chapters we are about to look into. These are laws of social concerns but also to include laws of slavery, injury to others financially and physically, property rights, oppression to widows and orphans, money lending and many others.
C.) The ceremonial laws were for the Nation of Israel in their worship, in the Tabernacle and the future Temple.
We will see that this nation understood and committed themselves to this Book of the Covenant.
Exo 24:7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: [and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient].
They were not forced to give this answer. They agreed that these were good laws.
We know that Paul wrote of these things in the New Testament:
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 [Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross];
God gave us His Ten Commandments to insure that there would be order and justice in society even in the days we live in. When men obey His laws, there comes peace and prosperity.
The problems we face are not these laws!
The problems come from sinful man!
We have to make a conscious choice to be law abiding citizens. Israel had to make these same choices.
*****Our text:
Exodus 21
Exo 21:1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them.
Exo 21:2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing.
Exo 21:3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him.
Exo 21:4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.
Exo 21:5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free:
Exo 21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
The Holy Spirit has decided that to begin these judgments we must first understand what it is to be a servant.
The Bible says of the Messiah:
Psa 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
Psa 40:7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Who was this "Perfect Servant"?
Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
Zec 3:8 Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they are men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.
Isa 52:13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Of course we know that these scriptures were fulfilled in Jesus!
The New Testament says:
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, [and took upon him the form of a servant], and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
We know that this directly says it was God, (Jehovah God) who became this servant. Not many in our world believe this anymore and most never have.
If we cannot accept this truth of the Bible then we need to just throw all God's Word in the trash for none of the rest can be true!
The Gospel of Mark shows us how He served and He continues to do so for all that believe for He is now our intercessor with the Father.
Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Even at the age of twelve Jesus knew what He must do:
Luk 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
Luk 2:50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
It is said that there seven billion people on this earth today and the biggest majority do not understand the Word that Our Lord speaks to us.
Jesus insisted that He came to do the will of the Father in Heaven:
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Jesus never felt like He had pleased His Father in Heaven:
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Rom 15:2 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
Rom 15:3 [For even Christ pleased not himself]; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
You see this should be the mind of all servants of The Lord!
If Our Lord came as a "Servant" then what right have we to ignore the work He has given us.
God did not give us the Holy Spirit for our enjoyment as much as He gave Him to us for our employment!
The Words of Jesus:
Luk 22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? [but I am among you as he that serveth].
It is the "Servant" that is greatest in the eyes of God!
Jesus chose to be a "Servant". Never at any point did Jesus deviate from serving at the Will of the Father in Heaven!
Verse 2)
The Hebrew "servant" was bought and was to serve for only six years.
We know that "six" is the number of man:
Rev 13:18 Here is wisdom. [Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man]; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
What does man own if we know that the Owner of man is God? It is man's responsibility to realize we are owned by our Maker!
Therefore Jesus said:
Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Notice in the seventh year the Hebrew Servant was to be set free, his obligation fulfilled.
When the Lord Jesus came to this earth to obey the will of the Father, He fulfilled His obligation on the cross.
Verse 3,4.)
We know Our Lord had no wife when he entered into the servitude of His Father:
Isa 50:1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
Now according to the Law then His work complete, He could go back to Heaven free of any other work but He was to go out alone.
Now we know that Jesus could have no union with any wife so long as He was in the flesh:
Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
It is only on "resurrected ground" that a union with Christ Jesus could occur. Only after Jesus came out of the grave did He call the disciples "brethren".
Verse 5,6.)
You see it was the Love of Our Lord will not go out to freedom without His wife.
This He did because of Love!
Jesus was not obligated by the Hebrew Laws to save this wife. He could have gone free. Remember Jesus was sin free because He obeyed all the Laws of His Father.
In our text we notice that the wife and the children are listed separately.
Heb 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and [the children which God hath given me].
Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Heb 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
We notice that in God's Word, Israel is never called the Children of God. Then in this scripture Israel must be the "wife". The "Children of God" then must be the Church the Bride of Christ.
Isa 54:5 For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isa 54:6 For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God.
Isa 54:7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
Isa 54:8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
"he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever"
By boring the ear it marked the devoted servant. The doorpost marks the place where the family entered and a sign of personal limits and therefore does not pertain to strangers. Notice we saw earlier it was on the door post that the Blood was applied.
Jesus Christ did not die for the human race, He died for the Household of God.(all that will believe).
The Bible says:
Joh 11:51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;
Joh 11:52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.
and:
Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save [his people] from their sins.
Joh 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: [the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep].
Those that go through the door.
Heb 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him [to be made like unto his brethren], that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Heb 9:28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto [them that look for him] shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Those that are not looking for Him cannot be saved.
*****So in our scripture when the Master(The Father) bored the ear of the the servant(Our Lord), so long as he lived he would bare the marks of his servitude.
So too, the Lord Jesus Christ will wear forever the mark of the Cross!
Jesus said to doubting Thomas:
Joh 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
And we see later:
Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, [stood a Lamb as it had been slain], having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
Though Our Lord be ascended he still ministers to His own!
"when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end"
Joh 13:12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
Joh 13:13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Joh 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, [The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him].
Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The Bible says again:
Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
Our Lord still wants to be our servant!
*****Our text:
Exodus 21:12-36
The Law Concerning Personal Injury.
It's not hard to see how God feels about:
1.) Murder
2.) Adultery
3.) Homosexuality
4.) Abortion
5.) Capitol Punishment
The world today says that God is harsh to require the death penalty but God wants us to take sin seriously.
The world today treat Sin like a "cupcake" when Sin is really a "Serpent"!
It is the governments of this world that say a woman has a right to allow the death of her baby and that murderers should go unpunished for killing the innocent.
It is this world that simplifies adultery as just "having an affair" yet families are destroyed by such actions.
It is this world that says homosexuality is just "some alternate lifestyle" and all involved are "gay" like this way of living is just too joyful to be missed.
Just in America, the money spent on death row inmates in appeal would go a long way in keeping the homeless off the streets. Our jails have become civic centers for those that ignore the Laws and will never be obedient to them.
There is only one way to treat the the confirmed murderer as he is a local terrorist. God says to put them to death so they can cause no further harm and it would be a sign to those that would follow. The world needs to treat the terrorist who are simply murderers and killers, the exact same way.
Exo 21:12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
Exo 21:13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
Exo 21:14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
Notice how these persons:
1.) Lie in wait determined to have their own will.
2.) How they come arrogantly and willfully to commit these crimes.
Notice how God shows us that there is a difference in what happens by accident and what happens intentionally.
God insisted that there would be respect in the home by all family members but especially the children to the parents.
God insisted that if you caused harm to another that you be held responsible for your actions.
God insisted that there would be no kidnapping or abductions for slavery.
God insisted that the unborn child was considered to be alive while still in the womb.
Jesus explained what "an eye for an eye" really meant:
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
God insisted that the owner of animals be held responsible for the actions of those animals. We can readily see that in some cases with animals only, where money could be used in place of "capitol punishment".
In our world you can go to jail for causing harm to an animal and this is true but when you cause harm to another human being the innocent victim is set aside while lawyers defend the rights of the guilty. Tell me this is not backwards.
If a dog bites someone they are put to death. When a terrorist, or murderer, or killer maims or kills some one they are treated as having a reason for their actions. This is still backwards in our world.
*****Our Text:
Exodus 22:1-23:12
The Law Concerning Property and Human Rights
An animal that was stolen was valued at five times if that animal died but two times if that animal lived. God knew that even animals can suffer from trauma.
If that burglar was at night killed in his actions then the property owner was not held accountable for his life but if that burglar was killed in the daytime then the property owner was held responsible unless his life was threatened and this was provable.
If someone or the things they owned caused damage to someone else property then the damage must be compensated for. This included damages to borrowed and things for hire(rented).
We can see that the family was directly involved in the marriages of their daughters. The man had to be approved and even concentual fornication was not allowed without approval and then compensation for the future well being of that daughter, as her reputation would be tarnished. To be a virgin bride still meant something in those days. If this child were engaged to another man whom the family had approved then both guilty parties were stoned.
1.) To Rape brought death to the rapist.
2.) To commit adultery while engaged brought death to both parties.
3.) To commit adultery while married this also brought the death penalty.
Deu 22:22 If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Deu 22:23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;
Deu 22:24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
Deu 22:25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:
Deu 22:26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
Deu 22:27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
Deu 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
Deu 22:29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.
To be a "virgin" was highly prized but more so the marriage was truly a sacred thing.
God is real serious about the "marriage between one man and one woman"!
God is real serious about how to treat strangers. They were to be treated as a friend.
God is real serious about how to treat the widow and the orphan. They were to be cared for.
God is real serious about gossip, and bad mouthing anyone.
God is real serious about bribery. Our politicians should be aware of these things.
God is real serious about the abuse of the land we live on. Each property owner to not abuse his land.
God is real serious about resting one day out of seven and this included the animals that were in the work place.
God is real serious about taking advantage of the poor and the homeless.
Deu 24:10 When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.
Deu 24:11 Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.
Deu 24:12 And if the man be poor, thou shalt not sleep with his pledge:
Deu 24:13 In any case thou shalt deliver him the pledge again when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his own raiment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before the LORD thy God.
God is real serious about taking advantage of any hired employee.
Deu 24:14 Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates:
Deu 24:15 At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
God is real serious of how any nation makes such laws for it's people and also how those laws are enforced.
*****Our text:
Exodus 23:13-19
The Law Concerning Worship
Once the families of that nation understands their own responsibilities then God is serious about His Worship. We cannot truly "Worship" the Almighty God if we have not been obedient to His laws of how to treat His people and His families.
God teaches that all believers are to fear Him!
1Pe 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
1Pe 2:17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
1.) To "Fear God" to the believer means to have the knowledge that God will never do anything wrong in our lives. We are to obey His Word that He has given to us.
2.) To "Fear God" to the unbeliever means to realize the truth of Hell and to know that unless you come to know this God as your Savior you will spend eternity in Hell with no way to escape.
3.) To "Fear God" to Israel was to honor this covenant they were receiving at this time of the Exodus.
*****Those three feast are:
a.) The "Feast of the Unleavened bread"
b.) The "Feast of the Firstfruits"
c.) The "Feast of the Ingathering"
God is serious about His Worship to all and especially to all that believe on Him!
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Exodus 23:20-33
The Angel of the Lord
Exo 23:20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
1.) This Angel had the power to "Lead" these people in the "Way" of God.
2.) This Angel had the power to "Keep" these people in the "Way" of God.
3.) This Angel had the power to "Speak" the Word of God!
Exo 23:22 says "But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak"
4.) This Angel had the power to "Cut off the enemies of Israel".
Exo 23:23 [For mine Angel shall go before thee], and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and [I will cut them off].
Every nation would be better off if they would just believe what this verse says! It is Jesus Christ that is the "Prince of Peace" and there will be no Peace until Jesus comes again.
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, [The Prince of Peace].
Wake Up America!
Wake Up World!
1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
THIS ANGEL HAD THE NAME AS GOD!
Exo 23:21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: [for my name is in him].
To the Believer, the Christian:
1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, [pass the time of your sojourning here in fear]:
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
1Pe 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
1Pe 1:20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
1Pe 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
DO WE ACTUALLY HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING?
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
GOD SAYS IF WE ARE HIS SHEEP WE WILL HEAR HIM!
We can only say then that those who we see in disobedience must not hear Him not because they cannot hear but because they blinded by the god of this world, Satan, the Devil.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
To follow this Angel would bring blessings from The Lord Thy God:
1.) Thy Bread:
God will take care of our daily needs
Psa 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
Psa 37:24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
Psa 37:26 He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.
2.) Thy Water:
God will take care of our Spiritual needs
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
3.) Thy Sickness:
God will bear our infirmities and our sickness.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Mat 8:17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
God demanded that Israel be separate from all other nations!
God expects, in fact He demands we that believe to separate ourselves from the evils of this world!
2Co 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2Co 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
God gave this new nation of Israel nine "I Wills" or nine things that He would do, "IF" they would obey His commandments.
Remember this was a "Conditional Covenant".
*****Our text:
Exodus 24
The Covenant is "Ratified".
Ratify means to be confirmed by both parties. In other words there was no misunderstanding at all!
Exo 24:3 And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD, and all the judgments: and [all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the LORD hath said will we do].
As we go through these scriptures we should readily see in plain language is that man cannot approach unto God on the grounds of his own works.
"worship ye afar off. And Moses alone shall come near the LORD"
The only way to approach this Holy God is through a "Mediator"!
For Israel that was Moses at this time.
For the Church:
1Ti 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
1Ti 2:6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
This was told to Israel before the covenant was ratified and before there were any failures to obey. There will be no excuses at the White Throne of Judgment.
No one can come unto the Father without the Work of Jesus:
Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Moses alone could only approach because he was the "mediator". (A "type" of Christ)
Christ had to suffer for our sins to be our "mediator".
1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, [that he might bring us to God], being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
Notice the nation of Israel spoke in one voice at this time:
"and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient"
They had a godly fear of the Lord at this time. How soon things would change but they had committed themselves to this conditional covenant called now the Covenant of Moses or the Laws of Moses.
There are 14 verses in the New Testament that refer directly to these laws.
EVEN THIS COVENANT WAS SEALED WITH BLOOD!
Exo 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.
Now that the blood had been applied we can see in "type" the privilege to those that are under the "Blood":
Exo 24:10 [And they saw the God of Israel]: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness.
Exo 24:11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: [also they saw God], and did eat and drink.
We can see the future of this Nation when they return to God:
Rev 7:13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
Rev 7:14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and [made them white in the blood of the Lamb].
1.) The "sapphire stone" speaks of Divine government, the Throne of God.
Eze 1:26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.
2.) The "body of heaven in clearness" speaks of the The finished work of Our Lord Jesus.
Mat 17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Rev 21:11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;
Rev 21:18 And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.
The unapproachable glory of God tells a sinner to keep off, but the altar shows him how he can feast and worship in God’s presence.
By the Law we never hear draw near but "worship ye afar off" but to the Church we always hear:
Heb 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
What will we learn from a more complete study of God's Word?
Israel's history continued for more than 1500 years yet never again did their elders "see God"!
Never yet again have they eaten in His presence!
What Israel missed as a nation, the Church is blessed with for eternity!
Heb 10:19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
The Glory of the Lord was seen for seven more days:
Exo 24:16 And the glory of the LORD abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud.
Exo 24:17 And the sight of the glory of the LORD was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
Exo 24:18 And Moses went into the midst of the cloud, and gat him up into the mount: and Moses was in the mount forty days and forty nights.
His Glory was like a "devouring fire":
Unapproachable to Israel but to the Church, the believer:
2Co 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
2Co 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And now we will see the Holy Spirit will focus on Moses as a "type of Christ".
"Moses went into the midst of the cloud"
And Our Lord:
Joh 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
Joh 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.
We know and will learn next how Moses was shown the example and the instructions to build the Tabernacle.
Let's Pray!
