77 lines
17 KiB
HTML
77 lines
17 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">
|
|
<html><head>
|
|
<title>Blue Letter Bible: Text Commentaries</title>
|
|
<script src="../../../js/basepath.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/nav.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainHeader.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script>
|
|
currentBook = 'Exd';
|
|
currentChapter = 22;
|
|
PriorBook = 'Genesis';
|
|
PriorBookURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Gen_1.html';
|
|
PriorChapter = 'Exodus 21';
|
|
PriorChapterURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Exd_21.html';
|
|
NextBook = 'Leviticus';
|
|
NextBookURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Lev_1.html';
|
|
NextChapter = 'Exodus 23';
|
|
NextChapterURL = './Comm/david_guzik/sg/Exd_23.html';
|
|
Title = 'Study Guide for Exodus 22';
|
|
</script>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/DG.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
|
|
<h2><a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'1-');">Exd 22</a> - More Laws to Direct Judges</h2>
|
|
<p>A. Laws regarding personal property and restitution.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'1-4');">1-4</a>) Restitution required in cases of theft.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep. If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, <i>there shall be</i> no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, <i>there shall be</i> guilt for his bloodshed. He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">He shall restore</span></b>: The Mosaic Law did not send a person to jail because of theft. Instead, the thief was simply required to <b><span class="c3">restore</span></b> what he stole, plus an additional penalty.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. In this passage, the penalty could be anywhere from 500% (<b><span class="c3">he shall restore five oxen for an ox</span></b>) to 200% (<b><span class="c3">he shall restore double</span></b>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. This can be regarded as a <i>positive</i> vision for the punishment of criminals, putting them to productive restitution and compensating the victims of their theft. These principles are often ignored in modern judicial systems.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">He should make full restitution; if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft</span></b>:<b><span class="c3"> </span></b>If the person was unable to pay back what he stole, the thief was sold as an indentured laborer, with the money from the sale going to the victim.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed</span></b>: A property owner had the right to protect his property with force - but only with <i>reasonable</i> force. The assumption was that if it was daylight, the property owner had the ability to defend himself short of lethal force.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'5-8');">5-8</a>) Further application of the principle of restitution.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution from the best of his own field and the best of his own vineyard. If fire breaks out and catches in thorns, so that stacked grain, standing grain, or the field is consumed, he who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution. If a man delivers to his neighbor money or articles to keep, and it is stolen out of the man's house, if the thief is found, he shall pay double. If the thief is not found, then the master of the house shall be brought to the judges <i>to see</i> whether he has put his hand into his neighbor's goods.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed, and lets loose his animal, and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution</span></b>: The owner of an animal was responsible for the grazing of his animals. He was obliged to respect his neighbor's property (the grazing land).</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">He who kindled the fire shall surely make restitution</span></b>: Restitution was also required in cases of vandalism or foolish negligence, even if one kept the property of another. In the Mosaic legal system, a great premium was put on personal responsibility, even with the property of others.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. This translates into a proper concern for the property of others today. A Christian, if he backs into someone else's car, will certainly leave a note and make good the damage. A Christian will have proper insurance, guaranteeing they can compensate for someone else's loss.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. If someone gives you something to hold for them you are responsible for it as a faithful steward or manager. This includes what God gives us to manage or steward for Him.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Shall surely make restitution . . . he shall pay double</span></b>: Restitution was paid according to a pre-determined amount or percentage; it was not left to the whims of the victims or the judges.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'9-13');">9-13</a>) More application of the principle of restitution.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"For any kind of trespass, <i>whether it concerns</i> an ox, a donkey, a sheep, or clothing, <i>or</i> for any kind of lost thing which <i>another</i> claims to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; <i>and</i> whomever the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor. If a man delivers to his neighbor a donkey, an ox, a sheep, or any animal to keep, and it dies, is hurt, or driven away, no one seeing <i>it</i>, "<i>then</i> an oath of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept <i>that,</i> and he shall not make <i>it</i> good. But if, in fact, it is stolen from him, he shall make restitution to the owner of it. If it is torn to pieces <i>by a beast, then</i> he shall bring it as evidence, <i>and</i> he shall not make good what was torn.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">The cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whomever the judges condemn shall pay double</span></b>: When testimony was given, a man's word was taken as true unless proven otherwise. This is basis of the legal principle of the accused being innocent unless proven guilty.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Then an oath of the <span class="c6">Lord</span> shall be between them both, that he has not put his hand into his neighbor's goods; and the owner of it shall accept that</span></b>: The New Testament makes it clear that believers should avoid taking legal disputes among themselves to secular judges. They should allow the matter to be judged by the church (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',6,'1-8');">1Cr 6:1-8</a>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'14-15');">14-15</a>) Restitution principles applied to borrowing and lending.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"And if a man borrows <i>anything</i> from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies, the owner of it not <i>being</i> with it, he shall surely make <i>it</i> good. If its owner <i>was</i> with it, he shall not make <i>it</i> good; if it <i>was</i> hired, it came for its hire.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If a man borrows anything from his neighbor</span></b>: The principles of responsibility and restitution also applied to borrowing and lending.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">He shall surely make it good</span></b>: This was the simple principle meant to guide the judges. The guilty party had to <b><span class="c3">make it good</span></b>.</p>
|
|
<p>B. Moral and ceremonial laws.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'16-17');">16-17</a>) The remedy for pre-marital sex.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her <i>to be</i> his wife. If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed</span></b>: Some claim this passage does not prohibit pre-marital sex; but it does in practice, because it requires a man to either marry or provide for a woman he has pre-marital sex with.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">He shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife</span></b>: This law emphasizes the principle that there is no such thing as "casual" sex. Both Old and New Testaments state that sexual relations carry lasting consequences (<a onclick="return mV('1Cr',6,'15-16');">1Cr 6:15-16</a>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. "This was an exceedingly wise and humane law, and must have operated powerfully against seduction and fornication; because the person who might feel inclined to take the advantage of a young woman knew that he must marry her, and giver her a dowry." (Clarke).</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. This law is only effective when virginity is prized among women; here, a woman's virginity is her guarantee that she cannot be treated "cheaply".</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">iii. Far too many people - especially women - sell themselves cheaply by easily giving away their virginity. A man illustrated this with a true story about a friend who owned an antique store and had a table for sale. The table was worth $600, but was marked down to $300. A man tried to bargain her down to $200, and not only did she refuse, but she realized the true value of the table, and upped the price to its true worth - even when offered $300. The man finally bought the table for $600, and certainly treated it like a $600 table - because it's worth had been fought for. Many women who know men treat them shabbily have contributed to the problem by selling themselves cheaply.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'18-20');">18-20</a>) Three capital crimes.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"You shall not permit a sorceress to live. Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death. He who sacrifices to <i>any</i> god, except to the <span class="c6">Lord</span> only, he shall be utterly destroyed.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">A sorceress</span></b>: The practice of sorcery was almost always associated with "medicinal arts" (the taking of drugs) in the ancient world, and was therefore a connection between drug taking and occultist practices.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">You shall not permit a sorceress to live</span></b>: This was considered a severe enough threat that sorcery was considered a capital crime. The link between drugs and the occult was rightly seen as deadly.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death</span></b>: Bestiality was practiced in the ancient world, and God's Word specifically prohibits it. However, if someone will not allow God's Word to guide his or her sexual morality, there is no rational reason why this should be considered wrong.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. If we reject God's Word when it comes to other areas of sexual morality, there is no other place to draw the line. We cannot say that sex with animals, children, or the dead is wrong if the ethic is "if it feels good, do it."</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. Recently, in response to their university's sponsorship of GLAD (Gay/Lesbian Awareness Days), a university group answered with BAD (Bestiality Awareness Days) - but they were not allowed to have their own "celebration." There was no <i>rational</i> reason to reject this apart from a Biblical foundation for morality.</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'21-27');">21-27</a>) Compassion for the poor and weak.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, <i>and</i> they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. If you lend money to <i>any of</i> My people <i>who are</i> poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. If you ever take your neighbor's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For that <i>is</i> his only covering, it <i>is</i> his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I <i>am</i> gracious.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him</span></b>: A good measure of our moral character is found in how we treat <b><span class="c3">a stranger</span></b>. People often find it easy to treat their own flesh and blood right, but God commands us to have a concern for others - including the <b><span class="c3">stranger</span></b>.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. The hatred and strife between ethnic and national groups shows just how little humanity has progressed.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">ii. It is fair to examine how accommodating are we to the strangers among us. If we stay with our own safe group and enjoy all the blessings, and fail to be outreaching and out-looking as a blessing to others, we <b><span class="c3">mistreat a stranger</span></b>.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child</span></b>: The <b><span class="c3">widow</span></b><i></i> and <b><span class="c3">fatherless child</span></b> were the weakest and most vulnerable members of society. Therefore God commanded a special care and concern for them, and God promised to protect them.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him</span></b>: Interest was prohibited on loans made to the poor and the taking of collateral had to be reasonable.</p>
|
|
<p class="c5">i. This did not prohibit the taking of interest on loans that were not for relief of the poor. "It is evident that what is here said must be understood of accumulated usury, or what we call <i>compound interest</i> only; and accordingly <i>neshech</i> is mentioned with and distinguished from <i>tarbith</i> and <i>marbith</i>, <i>interest</i> or <i>simple interest</i>, <a onclick="return mV('Lev',25,'36-37');">Lev 25:36-37</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Pro',28,8);">Pro 28:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',18,8);">Eze 18:8</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',18,13);">18:13</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Eze',18,17);">18:17</a>, and <a onclick="return mV('Eze',22,12);">22:12</a>." (Clarke)</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear</span></b>: God promises to hear the prayer of the poor man when he cries out to the Lord. God's general sympathy for the poor is reflected in the fact that Jesus came from a poor family. When He was dedicated in the temple, shortly after His birth, the sacrifice was that of a poor family: two birds (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',2,24);">Luk 2:24</a>).</p>
|
|
<p class="c1">4. (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',22,'28-31');">28-31</a>) Laws regarding holiness and separation unto God.</p>
|
|
<p class="c2">"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. You shall not delay <i>to offer</i> the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. Likewise you shall do with your oxen <i>and</i> your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me. And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn <i>by beasts</i> in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people</span></b>: The most basic arena for holiness is always the tongue. God cares how we talk about Him and those He has put us into submission to.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices</span></b>: We also respect God by giving Him His due. If we are commanded to give something to God, it is a sin to not give it.</p>
|
|
<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field</span></b>: We are commanded to act differently than the animals. We are called to be <b><span class="c3">holy men</span></b>, not scavengers who tear at carcasses as animals do. This reinforces the basic idea of holiness: that we are set apart, different.</p>
|
|
<script src="./js/Comms/DG_Footer.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|
|
<script src="./js/MainFooter.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
|