GLEANINGS IN EXODUS

LESSON 23

ADDITIONAL JUDGMENTS AND DIRECTIONS

By E. L. Bynum, Pastor

Memory Verse: Exodus 23:20 (N.W. 24:17)————Lesson: Exodus 23:1-33

I . MISCELLANEOUS JUDGMENTS AND LAWS. v. 1-19

A. Rules For Judicial Proceedings. v. 1-9

While these rules may be addressed to the judges in particular, nevertheless they had wide application to all. This explains in detail the 9th Commandment in Ex. 16.

1. Perjury to be avoided. v. 1. This would be true in court, but also at all times. Ex. 20:16

2. Follow right and not the multitude. v. 2

3. Do not do evil to help a poor man. v. 3. We are not to do wrong to help the poor, as well as the rich. Lev. 19:15, Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. There is a mind set on the part of some liberal do-gooders, that it is alright to break the laws of God and man in order to promote a good cause, such as helping minorities or the poor. This of course is faulty thinking.

4. The rights of an enemy must be respected. v. 4-5. Pro. 24:17, Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth. I Thess. 5:15, See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Matt. 5:43-44, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Rom. 12:17-21, Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

5. The poor are to receive equal justice. v. 6

6. Truth and NOT falsehood to be followed. v. 7

7. Bribery not to be practiced. v. 8. Isa. 1:23, Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them. Micah 3:11, The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

8. Strangers are to be treated fairly. v. 9

B. The Law Of The Sabbatical Year. v. 10-13

1. The beneficence of the Sabbatical year. v. 10-11. Lev. 25:1-7

a. The land benefitted. Modern farmers took a long time to find out the benefit of letting the land rest, either through letting it lie fallow, or through crop rotation.

b. The owner benefitted.

c. The poor benefitted.

d . The beasts benefitted.

2. The Sabbath day continued during the Sabbatic year. v. 12

3. They were to be careful in following all commands. v. 13

4. They were not even to mention or talk about false gods. v.13. To make mention of these gods in common conversation would tend to cause them to lose their horror of idolatry. This should be applied to Christians today who talk about sin, but do not seem to abhor it.

C. The Law Of The Feasts. v . 14-19

1. The three feasts were the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles. v. 14. These are included in the seven Feasts listed in Lev. 23. Later on the Jews added the Feast of Lights (Hanukkah), and the Feast of Purim.

2. The feast of unleavened bread, the feast of passover. v. 15

a. It reminded them of past slavery.

b. Of past deliverance. The Passover was a type of the death of Christ. I Cor. 5:7, Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us. I Pet. 1:19, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

c. Of present duties. They were not to appear at any of the feasts empty, that is, without a sacrifice. Deut. 16:16-17, Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty: Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.

3. The feast of firstfruits. v. 16. This was the feast of Pentecost which came 50 days after the sheaf of the firstfruits (which is a type of the resurrection), were brought. Lev. 23:10,15-20

4. The feast of ingathering. v. 16. See Lev. 23:34. This was at the completion of the harvest. This was the Feast of Tabernacles and looks forward to the millennial reign of Christ. Zech. 14:16-21, And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD’S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

5. These 3 feasts to be kept each year and all males were to appear. v. 14, 17

6. The Passover to be offered with unleavened bread. v. 18

7. The Passover lamb – the fat not to be left until the morning v. 18. (It was the Passover lamb because it was the one in which no flesh was to be left until the morning. Ex. 12:10)

8. The first of the firstfruits to be brought without delay. v. 19

9. They were NOT to follow the example of the Canaanite heathen ceremony in seething the kid in its mother’s milk. v. 19. It would also have been an unfeeling act which would lead to a lot of wicked sins.

II. INSTRUCTION FOR ENTERING THE PROMISED LAND.

v.20-33

A. An Angel To Guide And Keep. v. 20-23

1. The angel is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. v. 20. See Ex. 14:19; 33:2; Num 20:16, And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel, and hath brought us forth out of Egypt: and, behold, we [are] in Kadesh, a city in the uttermost of thy border.

2. They were to obey Him. v. 21. Only Christ could pardon their transgressions.

3. He would be against their enemies. v. 22. The terror of the Lord did go before them. Ex. 15:16. Josh. 2:10-11, For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

4. He would cut off their enemies. v. 23. As the Lord went ahead of them to prepare them a place, so Jesus has gone ahead to prepare us a place. John 14:1-3, Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

B. The Conquest And Settlement Of The Land. v. 24-33

1. They were to destroy the false gods. v. 24

2. They were to serve the true God. v. 25

3. Sickness to be taken away and barrenness removed. v. 25-26

4. God would send fear before them. v. 27

5. Hornets to go before them. v. 28

6. It would be best that their conquest be gradual. v. 29-30. It took Joshua and his army about seven years to conquer the land, although the mopping up operation took a lot longer.

7. God would set the bounds. v. 31. Gen. 15:18-21, In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. II Sam. 8:3, David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. II Sam 8:6, Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went. II Sam. 8:15, And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. I Kings 4:20-25, And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

8. They were not to make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land. v. 32. Josh. 9:14-15, And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. (See Josh. 9, league with Gibeonites).

9. Separation was to be practiced. v. 33

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is perjury, and why was it to be avoided?

2. Why are we not to follow the multitude?

3. Why was it not right to stretch the law a little to help the poor?

4. What is bribery, and why should judges not accept it?

5. What was the Sabbatic year, and who benefitted from it?

6. Why were they forbidden to talk about false gods?

7. What can we learn from this?

8. Name the three feasts mentioned in this chapter?

9. How often were they to be kept, and who must appear?

10. Who was the Angel that would go before them?

11 . Why did God provide for a gradual conquest of the land?

LESSON 22

ADDITIONAL JUDGMENTS

By E. L. Bynum, Pastor

Memory Verse: Exodus 22:1 (N.W. 23:20)————Lesson: Exodus 22:1-31

I. JUDGMENTS I N REGARD TO PROPERTY. v. 1-15

A. Judgments Concerning Theft. v. 1-4

1. Restitution for selling or killing an ox or sheep. v. 1 . It took more boldness to steal an ox, so the penalty was greater.

a. Adultery is considered to be thievery. Consider these Scriptures and read the context. II Sam. 11:2-3, And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? II Sam. 12:6, And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.

b. David had to pay fourfold, the baby died, Amon and Absalom slain, and Tamar raped. II Sam. 12:15-13:33; 18:1-8

c. Zaccheus made a promise to repay. Luke 19:8, And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

2. A man’s right to protect himself and his possessions. v. 2. Liberals tell us, that we should not be armed, but they are wrong.

3. Restitution to be made by the thief. v. 3. There was a difference in whether it was stolen at night rather than the day.

4. Restitution to be made or the thief to be sold as a servant. v. 3

5. Double restitution if the animal was alive. v. 4. It is sad that our criminal justice system does little to force thieves to make restitution.

B. Judgments Concerning Trespass. v. 5-6

1. Restitution for damage done to crops. v. 5

a. The property boundaries by piles of rocks, not by fences, so animals had to be guarded to keep them from eating another man’s crop. Deut. 19:14, Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it. Prov. 22:28, Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

b. The danger today comes from those who would remove the ancient landmarks of Bible doctrine.

2. Restitution for damage by fire. v. 6. It was not enough to just say, I am sorry.

C. Judgments Concerning A Trust. v. 7-13

1. Restitution for things held in trust. v. 7-8

a. By the thief v. 7

b. By the trustee. v. 8

2. Judges to decide disputed matters. v. 9

3. Responsibility for animals kept in true. v. 10-13

a. The death or disappearance of an animal. v. 10-11

b. Restitution to be made if it is stolen. v. 12

c. If torn by a wild beast, the pieces must be delivered as evidence. v. 13

D . Judgments Concerning Borrowed Things. v . 14-15

1. Restitution to be made if the owner was absent. v. 14

2. No restitution if the owner was present. v. 15. We need to learn and do what is right, not just the law of our land says.

II. JUDGMENTS IN REGARD TO HUMAN RIGHTS

A. Judgments Concerning Immoralities. v. 16-20

1. Seducing a maid who was not betrothed. v. 16. The Hebrew word for seduce means, “entice, deceive, persuade, flatter, allure.”

a. He was to pay her father and marry her. v . 16. She did not have to be pregnant, but they were to marry if they committed fornication. Deut.22:28-29, 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; 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.

b. If she was betrothed it was far more serious. Deut. 22:23-27, If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; 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. 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: 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: For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.

2. If her father refused to let her marry, the guilty man was to endow her with a proper dowry. v. 17

3. Witchcraft punishable by death. v. 18. Deut. 18:9-14; Isa. 47:12-14; Lev. 20:6, And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Gal. 5:19-21, Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft… that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

4. Beastiality punishable by death. v. 19. Lev. 18:23, Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto: it is confusion. Lev. 20:16, And if a woman approach unto any beast, and lie down thereto, thou shalt kill the woman, and the beast: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

5. Sacrifice to other gods forbidden. v. 20. Ex. 20:3-5; Ex. 23:13; Deut. 4:12-24

B. Judgments Concerning Oppression. v. 21-28

1. Protection of foreigners. v. 21

2. Widows and orphans protected. v. 22-24. Deut. 26:12, When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled. Deut. 27:19, Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen. James 1:27, Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

3. Protection for the poor. v. 25-27

a. God’s Word on interest (usury). v . 25. Lev. 25:35-37; Neh. 5:3-10

(1) This refers to protection for the poor. Since most of those who would desire to borrow were the poor, they are protected. Prov. 28:8, He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

(2) The Bible does not forbid usury (interest), unless it be the unkind treatment of the poor. Matt. 25:27, Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and [then] at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

b. Raiment held as security to be returned before night. v. 26-27

4. Blasphemy and the cursing of rulers forbidden. v. 28. Prov. 24:21, My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change. I Pet. 2:17, Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. Ex. 7:1; Psa. 82:6; John 10:34-35

C. Judgments Concerning Offerings To God. v. 29-31

1. Firstfruits to be offered without delay. v. 29. “Liquors” in v. 29 is translated from the Hebrew word “dema`,” and it simply means “juice.” Prov. 3:9-10, Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

2. Firstborn sons to be brought without delay. v. 29. Ex. 13:2, Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine. Ex. 13:12, That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD’S. The Christian is a kind of firstfruits, thus each one belongs to the Lord. James 1:18, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

3. Firstlings of the flock to be offered without delay. v. 30

4. Contaminated flesh to be destroyed. v. 31. This is because God’s people are to be a holy people. Lev. 19:2, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy. I Pet. 1:15-16, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

LESSONS: Our modern generation did not invent human rights. God was concerned about the rights of others long before man was greatly concerned. Property rights were secured under the Law. Communism would like to destroy the individuals right to property, but they are wrong. If property rights are denied, then we can be sure that human rights will soon be a thing of the past.

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Why was the restitution greater for stealing and selling an ox, than for a sheep.

2. Why was there a different law in regard to protecting ones home and possessions at night than in the day time?

3. What happened to the thief, if he could not make restitution for what he had stolen?

4. If a man was placed in charge of another’s animal, what happened if it was killed by a beast?

5. Why was the father to be paid a dowry?

6. What was the penalty for practicing witchcraft?

7. How were the Israelites to treat foreigners who were in their midst?

8. What is usury and why was it forbidden?

9. If a man’s clothes were left as a pledge, when were they to be returned to him?

10. What was to be done with flesh that had been torn by beasts?

LESSON 21

THE JUDGMENTS
—by E. L. Bynum

Memory Verse: Exodus 21:12 (N.W. 22:1)————Lesson: Ex. 21:1-36

The next three chapters give the practical application of the Ten Commandments in the daily life of that day. In chapters 21-23, we have the main part of the civil law. The moral law is in chapter 20. The ceremonial law is found in Ex. 25-31, and in the book of Leviticus. These are the judgments of the Lord given to Moses. (See Exo. 24:3,4)

I . THE MASTER AND HIS SERVANT. v. 1-11

A . The Master And His Male Servant. v . 1-6

1. Buying a Hebrew servant. v. 2. This was of course a kind of slavery, but not to be confused with slavery that is practiced in the world today or that was practiced in America prior to the Civil War. The word for servant here is the same as that used for Abraham’s servant. Gen 24:2 And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: and for Abraham himself; Gen 26:24 And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake. It is also the same word that is used to describe the Lord Jesus Christ in O.T. prophecy. 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. An Hebrew could become a slave through poverty (Lev. 25:35,39), or through crime (Ex. 22:3).

2. The servitude to last 6 years. v. 2. Six is man’s number. Created on the sixth day. (Gen. 1:26-31) Man was to do his work in six days. Exo 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: During the Great Tribulation: 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. This would be the measure of man’s responsibility. This is what man owes to God.

3. Regulations concerning a wife and children. v. 3-4

4. After 6 years only love could bind the servant. v. 5

5. Bound by love, the servant’s ear was pierced. v. 6 Identification of love for his master. The believer’s identification of love for the Lord. John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

6. The bond slave is a type of Christ. v. 6

a. Christ took the form of a servant. Phil 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

b. He came to do the Father’s (master’s) will. Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

c. He loved the Father (master). John 17:24-26; John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

d. He loved His wife. v. 5. Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

e. He loved His children. Psa 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

f. He could have gone free but for the love of the Master. Mat 26:53,54 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

g. Yet He gave Himself to the will of the Father (Master). Psa. 40:6-7 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Heb 10:5-7 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.

h. As a bond slave in anti-type, He still continues to serve them. Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Luke 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.

7. We should follow Paul’s example in considering ourselves to be bond servants of Jesus Christ. Titus 1:1 Paul, a servant of God,… James 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1:1.

B. The Master And His Female Servant. v. 7-11

1. The selling of a daughter. v. 7. This we presume would happen because of the same conditions as listed above. Lev. 25:35,39 (Through poverty.)

2. Her rights when betrothed unto the master. v. 8

3. Her rights if betrothed to his son. v. 9 In honor and purity. Lev 18:15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

4. Her rights if he took another wife. v. 10

5. Her rights if her master was not obedient to the law. v. 11

II. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT, OFFENCES, AND DAMAGES. v. 12-36

A. The Death Penalty For Homicide. v. 12-14

1. The death penalty taught here and in Gen. 9:5-6 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

2. The death penalty taught in the N .T. Luke 23:39-41 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. 40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. Rom 13:3,4 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 1 Tim 1:8,9 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, (For more information see our tract, “Is The Death Penalty Scriptural?” # B-320.)

3. Ex. 20:13 contains the command, “Thou shalt not kill,” and 21:12 tells what to do to those who disobey this commandment.

B. The Death Penalty For Other Offences. v. 15-17

1. The smiting of father and mother. v. 15 There is a reward for honoring father and mother. Exo 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. Eph 6:2,3 Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

2. The cursing of father and mother. v. 17 Mat 15:4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

3. Man stealing. v. 16. This would include kidnaping. Deu 24:7 If a man be found stealing any of his brethren of the children of Israel, and maketh merchandise of him, or selleth him; then that thief shall die; and thou shalt put evil away from among you.

C. The Penalty For Smiting Others. v. 18-21

1. The smitten one to be compensated. v. 18-19

2. The penalty for smiting a servant. v. 20-21

D. The Penalty For Causing Premature Birth And Abortion. v.22-25

1. Strife causing premature birth . v. 22. This resulted in damages which were determined by the husband and the judges.

2. Strife causing the abortion of the baby. v. 23-25 (See tract # A-302, “Abortion Is It Murder?”) Deu 19:21 And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

E. The Penalty For Smiting A Servant. v. 26-27

If an eye or a tooth was destroyed the servant was set free.

F. The Law Concerning The Act Of The Ox. v. 28-36

1. When an ox kills a person. v. 28

2. The responsibility of the owner of the ox. v. 29-32

3. The penalty for leaving an open pit. v. 33-34

4. When an ox kills an ox. v 35-36

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. Give two reasons why an Hebrew might become a servant.

2. How long was the servant to remain a servant?

3. What if the servant had a wife when he became a servant?

4. What if he is given a wife by his master?

5. Why would anyone want to remain a slave, after he had been set free?

6. What was done, if he decided to continue as a servant instead of going free?

7. How did the bond servant typify the Lord Jesus Christ?

8. Since the penalty for homicide was death, how can this be reconciled to “Thou shalt not kill?”

9. What is the N .T . evidence for a death penalty law?

10. What was the penalty for cursing Father or Mother?

11. What was the penalty for causing a premature birth?

12. What was the penalty for causing the death of the baby?

13. How was a man responsible for what his ox did?

LESSON 20

THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD

Memory Verse: Ex. 20:3 (N.W. 21:12)————Lesson: Ex. 20:1-26

The laws which God gave unto Israel may be divided into three classes (1) The moral law is to be found in the ten commandments. (2) The ceremonial law is found in the instructions of God concerning the sacrifices and related items. (3) The civil law had to do with the various regulations concerning their government.

I. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS GIVEN. v. 1-17

The first two verses might be called the preamble to the ten commandments.

A. Man’s Responsibility To God. v. 3-11

1. No other gods allowed. v. 3. God is jealous and will not share His glory with another. Deut. 32:21, They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation. I Sam. 12:20- 21, And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. I Cor. 8:4-6, As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. I John 5:20-21, And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

2. No images. v. 4-6. Idolatry of all kinds are prohibited. Any attempt to make a visible likeness of God is here condemned. All images used in worship would be wrong. Lev. 19:4, Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. Deut. 4:15-17, Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the LORD spake unto you in Horeb out of the midst of the fire: Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, the likeness of male or female, The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air. Amos 5:26-27, But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves. Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name is The God of hosts. Acts 7:43, Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. Lev. 26:1, Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.

3. His name not to be used in vain. v. 7. His name is holy and no one should use it irreverently. Matt. 6:9, After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Hallow means, “sanctify, hallow, be holy; 1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow 2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to God.” Lev. 19:12, And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

4. The sabbath day to be kept. v. 8.

a. The sabbath was given to Israel and not to the gentiles. It was a special sign to Israel. Ex. 31:12-14, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you. Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Neh. 9:13-14, Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments: And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant. Ezek. 20:12, 20, Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the LORD that sanctify them….

b. The New Testament church is no where commanded to keep it. Christians are to keep the first day of the week after the pattern and example set forth in the N.T. after HIS death and resurrection. Col. 2:16-17, Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Matt. 28:1, In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Mark 16:2, And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. John 20:19, Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. Acts 20:7, And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. I Cor. 16:2, Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

B. Man’s Responsibility To Man. v. 12-17

1. Honour father and mother. v. 12. Eph. 6:1-3, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Matt. 15:4, For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

2. Thou shalt not kill. v. 13. This does not forbid the death penalty. Ex. 21:12, He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. Gen. 9:5, And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Matt. 5:21-22

3. Adultery forbidden. v. 14. Matt. 5:28, But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. Matt. 19:9, And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery. Rom. 7:2-3, For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

4. Stealing forbidden. v. 15. Rom. 13:8; II Cor. 8:21; Eph. 4: 28.

5. Bearing false witness forbidden. v. 16. This would include gossip.

6. Coveteousness forbidden. v. 17. This includes the secret desires of the heart. Luke 12:15, And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. I Cor. 12:31; Mark 7:21-23.

II. THE LORD’S GRACIOUS PROVISION. v. 18-26

A. The Effect Upon The People. v. 18-21

1. They were afraid. v. 18

2. They saw the need for a mediator. v. 19. I Tim. 2:5, For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

3. They needed to be proved. v. 20

4. The people standing afar off. v. 21

B. Special Reminders and Injunctions. v. 22-26

1. They are forbidden to make gods of silver and gold. v.22-23

2. The provision for the altar. v. 24-26

a. It was to be made of earth. v. 24

b. If made of stone, it was not to be hewn. v. 25. Thus it was to be made of natural materials.

c. No steps for decency’s sake. v. 26. This was the protection, because of the way they dressed.

C. The Purpose Of The Law.

1. The Law is good if it is used right. I Tim. 1:8, But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully.

2. It was not in order to save, but to show God’s standard for right, and that man was a sinner. Gal. 2:16, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Rom. 7:7-14

3. To show man his need for a saviour. Gal. 3:19-24, Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

4. The law is to convict of sin. Gal. 3:21; 3:10-12; Heb. 10:28, He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses. Rom. 10:5, For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

5. The altar shows that a sacrificial offering needed to be made for man’s sin. Heb. 9:12-14, Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Heb 9:26, For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. II Co 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. State the threefold division of the law.

2. State the twofold division of the commandments.

3. Name the ten commandments in their proper order.

4. What day of the week was the sabbath day, and should Christians keep it today?

5. What is the first commandment with promise, and what is the promise or promises?

6. Does “thou shalt not kill” permit the death penalty? Why is this?

7. Name the three things that God commanded concerning the altar.

8. What was the purpose of the commandments?

LESSON 19

ISRAEL AT THE MOUNT OF GOD

Memory Verse: 18:9 (N . W . 20:3)————Lesson: Exodus 19:1-25

—by E. L. Bynum

ISRAEL AT THE MOUNT OF GOD

I. THE PROMISE OF THE COVENANT. v. 1-9

A. Israel Camped Before The Mount. v . 1-2

1. The time of their arrival. v. 1. Three in the Bible is the number of manifestation.

2. They were led by the Lord to this camping place. v. 2

B. Moses Called Before The Lord. v. 3-4

1. God speaks to Moses and tell him what to say to Israel. v. 3. God has now kept His promise. Ex. 3:12

2. He reminds them of what He has done. v. 4. Deut. 32:9-12. This passage shows how the little eagles are forced from the nest, so that they might fly and be mature. God’s people are forced from the nest, so that they might be mature and do what God created them to do.

C. Israel Challenged To Keep The Covenant. v. 5-6

1. The covenant was the ten commandments. Ex. 34:27-28

2. They were to be God’s peculiar treasure. v. 5. Peculiar means

private property, select, prized, and preserved. He is fulfilling the covenant relationship which was promised in Ex. 6:6-7.

3. They were to be a kingdom of priests. v. 6. The whole nation of people were to be royal priests. I Pet. 2:9, But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. The whole world needed priests. A priest represents man to God. Heb. 5:1, For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

a. God chose Israel to be His peculiar treasure. Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Psa. 135:4, For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. Mal. 3:17, And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

b. They were not chosen because of their merits, for they had none. Deut. 26:5-11

c. They were chosen because of God’s grace and love. Deut. 7:6-8

4. They were to be a holy nation. v. 6. I Pet. 1:15-16, But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

a. They were set aside as the property of a Holy God, therefore they were to be holy. Lev. 20:7, Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

b. Instead of influencing the nations to worship God, the pagan nations influenced Israel to worship their false gods. It is happening today as the world is convincing Christians to adopt the dress, habits, and worship of false religion.

c. One day Israel will influence people for God. Isa. 61:6, But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves. Zech. 12:10, And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for [his] firstborn. Zech. 13:1, In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

D . Moses Calls Israel To Hear God’s Message. v . 7-9

1. Israel hears God’s Word. v. 7

2. Israel promises to keep God’s words. v. 8. God knew they would not keep it. Deut. 5:27-29. How quickly Israel enters into a covenant they were never able to keep. Up until this point they had been under the Abrahamic covenant that contained no “if” as in v. 5. See Gen. 15:18-21; and Gal. 3:6-19. Israel entered the promised land on the ground or basis of the Siniatic covenant and not the Abrahamic covenant. God dealt with them thusly. See Josh. 7:11,15; Judges 2:19,21; I Kings 11:11; and Jer. 11:3-5, And say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeyeth not the words of this covenant, Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey my voice, and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall ye be my people, and I will be your God: That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.

II. THE PREPARATION FOR ENTERING THE COVENANT. v. 10-15

A. The People Prepared By Sanctification. v. 10-11

1. Sanctification involves cleansing. v. 10. What they did in washing their clothes was symbolic and expressive of internal cleansing. This is how we are to do this today. I John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. II Cor. 7:1, Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2. Sanctification involves the recognition of the need for preparation, in view of the Lord’s presence. v. 11 . Note the number three as in v. 1 .

B. The People Prepared By Separation. v. 12-15

1. A sinful people are separated from God. v. 12

2. Sinful creatures cannot touch the place where God is. v. 13. Heb. 12:18, For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest.

3. Moses instructs the people. v. 14-15. “Come not at your wives,” reveals that they were to set aside fleshly pleasures for this time.

III. THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD. v. 16-25

A. The Divine Manifestation. v. 16-20

1. Events that caused the camp to tremble. v. 16. The storm was a symbol of the presence of God. Deut. 5:22-26

2. The people brought to meet God. v. 17

3. The Lord descends in fire. v. 18

4. God’s voice heard. v. 19

5. Moses called up into the mount. v. 20. A

B. The Divine Instruction. v. 21-25

1. They are to be separated from God lest they perish. v. 21

a. There is to be a distance from a Holy God and His sinful people. God is Holy and he is not our buddy.

b. The same truth was taught in the fence around the Tabernacle, and the separation of the Holy of Holies.

c. God’s people have a new and living way today. Heb. 10:20, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh. Now He invites us to draw near, but we are to be cleansed so that we can. 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.

2. The priests must be sanctified or perish. v. 22

3. Moses thought that the people were already instructed. v. 23

4. The Lord knew they needed further instruction. v. 24

5. The obedience of Moses. v. 25

NOTE: The events in this chapter were intended to impress Israel, so that they will stand in awe of God and reverence Him. Men today need an exalted view of God. Isa. 57:15, For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Dan. 9:4, And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments.

—by E. L. Bynum

STUDY QUESTIONS

1. What is the meaning of the number 3 in the Bible?

2. What covenant had Israel been under up until now?

3. What is the chief difference between the two covenants?

4. What did God promise them if they would keep this covenant?

5. What is needful before a redeemed people should come into his presence?

6. What was the purpose of God in coming in fire and causing the Mount to shake and tremble?

7. Why could not the people go up the mount or at least touch it?