Day 40, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today's Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): Exodus 21–24
The Importance of Social Laws and Enforcement
What is the purpose of having laws? Are they merely standards to limit our freedoms? The late Pastor Adrian Rogers once said that “people today want freedom from restraints. They are sort of like passengers on an airplane throwing out the pilot and announcing that they are now free.” We can guess the results of that, can’t we?
We know we have natural laws that we must obey, but we also need social laws. The purpose of societal rules is to make sure people and property are handled fairly and equitably with justice. This is one of the functions of government and why we have officers policing our neighborhoods and streets, protecting our rights.
The establishment of government is essential in forming a new society of people. Before moral and social laws were instituted, the government of the recently freed people of Israel was a theocracy. It was administered by Moses, Aaron, his sons, and seventy elders of Israel.
As we saw in our last Bible study (February 8), the LORD gave Israel the moral law (the ten commandments) through Moses. How does God want them to practice these laws? What follows in today’s Bible study is a summary of God’s social law—the moral law lived out in case studies.
Slavery
What may surprise many of us is that the first regulation regards the treatment of slaves. We might think God would have abolished this practice since he recently delivered his people from Egyptian bondage. Hebrew slavery, however, differs from Egyptian slavery. Egyptian slavery was forced, and sometimes cruel and harsh labor was exercised for an indeterminate amount of time.
Hebrew slavery is indentured service, in which a poor man sells himself and/or his family. In exchange for their services, they are given a place to live, food to eat, and are treated fairly. The time of service is no longer than six years unless the servant wants to continue the arrangement.
Slavery has been legally abolished in many civil societies, so there is no direct principle applied in these places. However, we can learn from the Scriptures not to take advantage of the poor, but if possible, give them opportunities to earn a living. We should treat them with dignity, justice, and equity, especially if they are fellow believers in Christ.
Capital Offenses
In the Israelite social law, there are punishments for many capital offenses. Besides murder, there are also executions for attacking or cursing parents, worshiping other gods, sorcery, hurting or taking advantage of orphans and widows, and many sexual sins. For the community’s safety and to preserve its morality and holiness as God’s people, it was sometimes necessary to exercise the ultimate punishment. Despite what some research says, capital punishment for capital offenses is a deterrent. The LORD wanted it carried out in appropriate cases.
Restitution
The third significant regulation regards the principle of restitution—just and equitable compensation for injuries incurred. Under this set of laws, if a slave or hired man is injured on the job, he receives payment for his loss. If properties (animals and slaves in particular) are harmed, there is to be restitution. If thieves steal, there is to be reimbursement plus penalties. In some instances, however, there is no restitution if there is no significant injury done or an accident.
In today’s society, we can go before government officials to report civil injustice, but Christians shouldn’t pursue frivolous lawsuits. The Apostle Paul further instructs them not to pursue any trivial cases against their brothers in Christ—the testimony of Christians can be harmed (1Corinthians 6:1-7). We know that Jesus instructs us, believers, to love those who hate us. We should work it out ourselves or take it to the church.
Justice and Kindness
Another primary law mentioned in Exodus 23 could be categorized as the law of justice and kindness. If the Israelites are witnesses to crimes, they must report it and give honest testimony, not give false accounts or accept bribes. Bribes pervert justice.
They should also be kind even to their enemies if they or their property suffer some injury or mishap. We know that Jesus instructs us, believers, to love our enemies (Luke 6:27). We should remember that we were once enemies whom Christ loved (Romans 5:10), and when we love our enemies we demonstrate his love.
Keeping the Sabbath
Yet another law mentioned here and frequently in other Bible passages is keeping the Sabbath. It’s not only a day of rest for their people but also a time of rest for their animals. A year of rest is also instituted for farmland every seventh year.
Three times a year, the Israelite men gather to celebrate the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Harvest,and the Feast of the Ingathering. Jesus said Sabbaths are made for man (meaning all human beings; Mark 2:27). We honor God when we keep a weekly day of rest and remember to be thankful for our blessings. We also give our minds and bodies a break.
After giving Israel moral and social laws, the LORD promises to be their God and to lead, protect, and bless them if they obey. This is a covenant that is confirmed by a blood sacrifice. Then he shows Moses, Aaron, and the seventy elders of Israel some of his glory. Before he calls Moses up onto Mt. Sinai, he explicitly gives the people instructions not to worship false gods. For the third time, the leaders and people promise to obey the LORD their God. Will they do it? We will soon find out.
Do we want God’s favor to be with us? Then we need to honor God and our neighbors in practice, not just words. Do we know the true God of heaven who dispenses justice and mercy? He offers us peace, forgiveness, and spiritual life so we can worship, obey him, and be kind to others (more...)
Discussion
What are social laws, and why are they important?
How does God feel about capital punishment? Approve or Disapprove? Under what circumstances?
Why shouldn’t we sue our fellow brother or sister in Christ?
The date and place of Dr Adrian Rodgers audio clip unknown; it was heard on a Christian radio broadcast
The Feast of Unleavened Bread commemorates their deliverance from slavery in Egypt
The Feast of Firstfruits celebrates the first fruits of their harvests
The Feast of Ingathering celebrates the end of their harvest season, like our Thanksgiving.
Focus Verse
James 1:27 (NIV) “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
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Looking Ahead: Now that God has established a theocracy and civil government, he instructs Moses to build The Tabernacle, a portable worship center. How does it compare with Our Worship Center? Find out in our Next Lesson.
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