In the “judgments” given to Israel how did God show his compassion for servants?
(Exodus 20-23) Blog July. 7-13, 2019
Prepared by Richard A. Marin: Present Truth PO Box 700, Fallbrook CA 92088-0700 USA
REVIEW: In the first four chapters of Genesis Moses shows how God’s original purpose for humanity included responsibilities and service for others. When sin entered, that plan was not altered but the responsibilities and work were made more difficult. Since the fall no fruit, either of the womb or of the soil, is produced without diligent human effort and the resistance of nature. God has made ample provision for all our needs so that out of our abundance we may supply the needs of others.
The Exodus (Gen. 12:2-3; Ex. 3:7, 16-17, 21-22; 6:7; 19:4-6)
1. What was God’s relationship to the children of Israel? He was their God & they were his chosen people – his bride.
2. For what reason did God choose a particular people group to be his chosen nation? Because he wanted to demonstrate the principles of his kingdom through them & bring blessings to the rest of the world through them.
3. When the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt what moved God to plan their deliverance? The cries of his people for help.
4. What method did God use for the deliverance of his people from Egyptian slavery? He chose a meek, yet faithful, leader to confront Pharaoh with signs & wonders that showed God’s superiority to the gods of Egypt.
5. When delivering his people from slavery how did God meet their financial needs? By causing the Egyptians to load them down with gold, silver, & jewelry.
6. Having delivered his people from slavery what need of his people did God next attempt to supply? The need to remove slavery from their hearts – to give them true freedom.
The Law (Exodus 20:1-26; Matt. 22:37-40; Rom. 7:7)
7. What two things did God provide in order to remove slavery from his people’s hearts? The law (Ten Commandments) & the Gospel (a sacrifice & altar).
8. How did Jesus express the two basic parts of the Ten Commandments? The first as love to God, the second as love to others.
9. Which commandments teach love towards God which is true worship? The first four — which teach loyalty, specificity, reverence, & holiness.
10. In the last six commandments which teach us love towards others what underlying principle is expressed there that affects our actions in each of the others? The principle of covetousness (selfishness) which underlies each of the other five.
11. If selfishness pollutes all our obedience what hope do we have of pleasing God? Our only hope is in the mercy of God & in the Lamb of God sacrificed for our sins.
12. Why did God not want his altar made of hewn stones? Because it was the sacrifice & not the altar that had value & the earth or rock altar God desired represented the human heart in its sinful (unhewn) condition.
The Judgments (Ex. 21:1-6; 22:21-27; 23:6-13; Lev. 25:8-18; Num. 18:21; Deut. 14:28-29)
13. In the “judgments” given to Israel how did God show his compassion for servants? By limiting their servitude to six years or less.
14. In the “judgments” given to Israel how did God show his compassion for strangers, widows, and fatherless children? By prohibiting oppressing or afflicting them.
15. In the “judgments” given to Israel how did God show his compassion for the poor? By prohibiting the lending of money at high interest rates or interfering with his case in court & by giving them the gleanings of the field & the harvest of the Sabbatical Year.
16. How did God make provision for the poor who sold their land or their children? He instituted a Year of Jubilee every fiftieth year when all property & slaves were returned to their original owners.
17. For whom did God’s system of multiple tithing make provision? For the priests, Levites, strangers, fatherless, & widows.
18. What should we learn from God’s plan for Israel regarding the poor and the needy? That God is concerned about the needs of the poor & needy & we should be also.