Confessional Lutheran Ministerium

Exodus 24:1-18 NKJV

24 Now He said to Moses, “Come up to the Lord, you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar. ² And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.”

³ So 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 has said we will do.” ⁴ And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. And he rose early in the morning, and built an altar at the foot of the mountain, and twelve pillars according to the twelve tribes of Israel. ⁵ Then he sent young men of the children of Israel, who offered burnt offerings and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen to the Lord. ⁶ And Moses took half the blood and put it in basins, and half the blood he sprinkled on the altar. ⁷ Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” ⁸ And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, “This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.”

⁹ Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, ¹⁰ and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity. ¹¹ But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand. So they saw God, and they ate and drank.

¹² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.”

¹³ So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God. ¹⁴ And he said to the elders, “Wait here for us until we come back to you. Indeed, Aaron and Hur are with you. If any man has a difficulty, let him go to them.” ¹⁵ Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain.

¹⁶ Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. ¹⁷ The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. ¹⁸ So Moses went into the midst of the cloud and went up into the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.

Exodus 24:1-18 recounts a solemn and awe-inspiring moment in Israel’s history: the confirmation of God’s covenant with His people. This chapter is filled with images of worship, sacrifice, and God’s glory, reminding us of His holiness and grace in establishing a relationship with His people. 

Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders ascend partway up Mount Sinai, drawing near to God’s presence. There, the covenant is sealed through blood. The blood of the sacrifices is sprinkled on the altar and the people, symbolizing the binding relationship between God and Israel. This covenant was not based on Israel’s merit but on God’s grace and faithfulness. 

The people’s response, “All that the Lord has said we will do,” expresses their willingness to obey. Yet, as the story of Israel unfolds, their failures to keep the covenant highlight the need for a better mediator and a lasting sacrifice. This passage points us forward to Jesus, the perfect Mediator of the new covenant, who sealed it with His own blood. 

The latter part of the chapter describes Moses ascending further into the cloud of God’s glory. For forty days and nights, he communes with God, receiving His law and instructions. The consuming fire on the mountain reflects God’s holiness and majesty, reminding us that He is both approachable through His covenant and utterly transcendent. 

For Christians, this passage reminds us of the privilege of being in covenant with God through Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross accomplished what the blood of animals could not: the basis for complete forgiveness and reconciliation. Through faith, His blood binds us to God, not based on our obedience but on His perfect righteousness. 

As we reflect on this covenant, let us approach God with reverence and gratitude. We are called to worship Him, trust His Word, and live as His covenant people, set apart for His glory.

Let us pray: Gracious God, thank You for making a covenant with us through the blood of Jesus. Help us to live in faith and obedience to Your Word and worship You in reverence and awe. Through Christ, our Mediator, Amen.

Exodus 23:20-33 NKJV

²⁰ “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. ²¹ Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. ²² But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. ²³ For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. ²⁴ You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

²⁵ “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you. ²⁶ No one shall suffer miscarriage or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

²⁷ “I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come, and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you. ²⁸ And I will send hornets before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you. ²⁹ I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. ³⁰ Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. ³¹ And I will set your bounds from the Red Sea to the sea, Philistia, and from the desert to the River. For I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out before you. ³² You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. ³³ They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

In Exodus 23:20-33, God assures His people of His faithful guidance and promises. As they journey to the Promised Land, He sends His Angel to lead and protect them. This passage reveals God’s covenant faithfulness and calls His people to trust and obedience. 

The Angel of the Lord is a manifestation of God’s presence, sent to guard and guide His people. This promise reminds us that God is not distant but actively involved in the lives of His people. He goes before us, preparing the way and protecting us from harm. His faithfulness to Israel assures us of His care for His people throughout all generations. 

God’s instruction to obey His Angel underscores the importance of listening to His Word. Disobedience carries consequences, but obedience brings blessings. The Israelites are called to reject the gods of the nations they will encounter, refusing to adopt their practices. This call to exclusive worship of the Lord reminds us that God demands our undivided loyalty. 

The promises in this passage are striking. God pledges to drive out Israel’s enemies little by little, giving them the land in His perfect timing. He assures them of victory, health, provision, and fruitfulness. Yet, these promises come with the command to remain faithful, avoiding compromises that would lead them away from God. 

For Christians, this passage points us to Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of God’s presence and guidance. Jesus leads us on the way to eternal life, protecting us from the power of sin and death. He calls us to trust His promises and walk in obedience, rejecting the idols of this world. 

As we journey through life, we can take comfort in knowing that God goes before us, preparing the way. His timing is perfect, His protection sure, and His promises unfailing. Let us trust in His guidance and remain faithful to His Word.

Let us pray: Faithful God, thank You for guiding and protecting us through life’s journey. Help us to trust in Your promises and walk in obedience to Your Word. May we worship

Exodus 23:1-19 NKJV

23 “You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. ² You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. ³ You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute.

⁴ “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. ⁵ If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it.

⁶ “You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. ⁷ Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. ⁸ And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.

⁹ “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

¹⁰ “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, ¹¹ but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove. ¹² Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.

¹³ “And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.

¹⁴ “Three times you shall keep a feast to Me in the year: ¹⁵ You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (you shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; none shall appear before Me empty); ¹⁶ and the Feast of Harvest, the firstfruits of your labors which you have sown in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you have gathered in the fruit of your labors from the field.

¹⁷ “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.

¹⁸ “You shall not offer the blood of My sacrifice with leavened bread; nor shall the fat of My sacrifice remain until morning. ¹⁹ The first of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Exodus 23:1-19 outlines principles of justice and mercy that reveal God’s desire for His people to reflect His character in our relationships with others and our worship of Him. 

The passage begins with instructions about justice. God’s people are forbidden from spreading false reports, siding with the wicked or the majority, or perverting justice for the poor or for personal gain. God’s justice is impartial and true, and His people are called to uphold that standard in all their dealings. 

God’s mercy is also evident in these commands. His people are told to help even their enemy’s animal if it is in trouble, demonstrating that mercy transcends personal grievances. This principle challenges us to extend kindness to others, even those we may consider adversaries. 

The laws also focus on honoring God’s creation and rhythm. The command to let the land rest every seventh year ensures provision for the poor and care for the earth. Similarly, the Sabbath rest reflects God’s design for work and worship, reminding His people of their dependence on Him. 

Verses 14-19 shift to worship, emphasizing the importance of devotion to God. The three annual feasts celebrate God’s provision and faithfulness. By observing these festivals, the Israelites acknowledged their dependence on God and expressed gratitude for His blessings. 

For Christians, this passage calls us to live with integrity, compassion, and worshipful hearts. Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled God’s law, is our ultimate example of truth and mercy. His life and sacrifice remind us to be honest in our words, just in our actions, and generous in our care for others. 

As God’s people, we are called to honor Him not only in how we treat others but also in how we worship and rest. As we live according to His Word, we reflect His justice, mercy, and holiness to the world around us.

Let us pray: Gracious Lord, teach us to walk in truth and mercy. Help us to honor You in our relationships and worship, reflecting Your justice and love. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.

Exodus 22:16-31 NKJV ¹⁶ “If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. ¹⁷ If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.

¹⁸ “You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

¹⁹ “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

²⁰ “He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

²¹ “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

²² “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. ²³ If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; ²⁴ and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

²⁵ “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. ²⁶ If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. ²⁷ For that is his only covering, it is 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 am gracious.

²⁸ “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.

²⁹ “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. ³⁰ Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

³¹ “And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.

God gives His people commands that reflect His desire for them to live holy, upright lives. These laws touch on a wide range of situations, from personal relationships to societal justice and spiritual worship. At their heart is the call to be a people set apart, reflecting God’s character in all aspects of life. 

The passage begins with laws concerning moral purity and justice. A man who seduces a virgin must take responsibility for his actions, underscoring the value God places on honoring others and protecting the vulnerable. Sorcery, bestiality, and idolatry are condemned, as these sins violate God’s holiness and corrupt His creation. 

The commands also emphasize care for the needy and defenseless. God warns against mistreating strangers, widows, and orphans, assuring His people that He hears the cries of the oppressed and will act on their behalf. Similarly, the command not to charge interest to the poor shows God’s heart for compassion and fairness in all dealings. 

In verses 28-31, the focus shifts to honoring God through reverence and obedience. To revile God or curse a ruler is to disrespect the authority He has established, especially in the Church (cf. Acts 23:5). The command to give the first fruits and firstborn to the Lord reminds Israel that everything they have belongs to Him. Finally, the call to avoid eating unclean meat serves as a reminder of their identity as God’s holy people. 

For Christians, this passage points us to our calling in Christ. Like Israel, we are called to live as a people set apart, honoring God in every area of life. We are to uphold purity, seek justice, care for the needy, and offer God the first and best of our time, talents, and resources. 

These commands also point us to Jesus, the One who fulfilled God’s law perfectly. Through His sacrifice, He made us holy and set us apart for God’s purposes. As His redeemed people, we are called to reflect His character in a world that desperately needs His light.

Let us pray: Holy God, help us to live as people set apart for You. Strengthen us to walk in purity, justice, and love, honoring You in all we do. Through Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, Amen.

Exodus 22:1-15 NKJV

Exodus 22:1-15 outlines God’s laws for restitution, showing His deep concern for justice, fairness, and the protection of property. In these verses, theft, negligence, and disputes are addressed with clear principles: those who cause loss or harm must make restitution, restoring what was taken or damaged. This reflects God’s character as a God of order, righteousness, and restoration. 

God’s law emphasizes responsibility and accountability. For example, if a thief is caught stealing, they must repay multiple times the value of what they took. If negligence leads to harm, the responsible party is held accountable. These principles promote trust and equity within the community, protecting both the victim and the offender by ensuring justice is served in a way that upholds dignity and integrity. 

These laws also reveal the seriousness of sin and its consequences. Theft or carelessness damages relationships and erodes trust. Yet, God’s command for restitution goes beyond punishment; it aims to restore what was lost. This restoration mirrors the gospel. When we sin, we rob God of the glory due to Him and harm others, yet Jesus came to restore what sin has broken. He paid our debt on the cross, offering complete reconciliation with God and one another. 

For Christians, these verses remind us to live with integrity and to seek to restore relationships when we wrong others. Whether it’s a careless word, a broken promise, or a deliberate act, God calls us to take responsibility and make amends. At the same time, we are reminded of the forgiveness we have received in Christ and are called to extend proper forgiveness to others. 

God’s law of restitution points us to His ultimate work of restoration through Jesus. As we walk in obedience, we reflect His justice, mercy, and grace, striving to restore what is broken in our lives and relationships.

Let us pray: Gracious God, You are a God of justice and mercy. Teach us to live with integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and seeking restoration where there is brokenness. May Your love and forgiveness guide us in all we do. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.

Psalm 69:13-24 NKJV

69 Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
² I sink in deep mire,
Where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters,
Where the floods overflow me.
³ I am weary with my crying;
My throat is dry;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

⁴ Those who hate me without a cause
Are more than the hairs of my head;
They are mighty who would destroy me,
Being my enemies wrongfully;
Though I have stolen nothing,
I still must restore it.

⁵ O God, You know my foolishness;
And my sins are not hidden from You.
⁶ Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me;
Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.
⁷ Because for Your sake I have borne reproach;
Shame has covered my face.
⁸ I have become a stranger to my brothers,
And an alien to my mother’s children;
⁹ Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,
And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
¹⁰ When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting,
That became my reproach.
¹¹ I also made sackcloth my garment;
I became a byword to them.
¹² Those who sit in the gate speak against me,
And I am the song of the drunkards.

“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, hear me in the truth of Your salvation” (Psalm 69:13). 

In Psalm 69:13-24, we see the psalmist overwhelmed by troubles but steadfast in prayer. His confidence lies not in his own strength but in God’s mercy and salvation. He pleads for deliverance from the “mire” and the “deep waters,” vivid images of the trials that threaten to consume him. 

When life’s challenges rise like floodwaters, we, too, are invited to cry out to God. The psalmist’s prayer reminds us that God’s lovingkindness is abundant, His mercies tender and countless. Even when circumstances seem unbearable, we can trust that God’s timing is perfect and His salvation sure. 

The psalmist also experiences reproach and shame from his enemies, foreshadowing Christ’s own suffering on the cross. In moments of rejection or dishonor, we can find comfort in knowing that Jesus has walked this path before us. He bore our sin and shame so that we might stand unashamed before God. 

Verses 22-24 express a cry for justice. The psalmist entrusts vengeance to the Lord, recognizing that evil will not ultimately triumph. While these imprecatory prayers may seem harsh, they point us to the truth that God is holy and will deal righteously with sin. 

For Christians, this passage finds its fulfillment in Christ. Jesus bore the wrath of God on our behalf, sparing us from condemnation and offering us the gift of eternal life. Because of Him, we can confidently approach God in prayer, knowing that He hears us and will deliver us in His time. 

Whatever trials you face, remember that God’s mercy is greater than your need, His justice is perfect, and His salvation is sure. Like the psalmist, lift your prayer to the Lord, trusting in His abundant grace. Let us pray: Merciful Father, in our distress we cry to You. Deliver us from our troubles and strengthen our faith. May we trust in Your mercy and rest in the truth of Your salvation. Through Jesus Christ, our Savior, Amen.

Psalm 69:1-12 NKJV

Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
² I sink in deep mire,
Where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters,
Where the floods overflow me.
³ I am weary with my crying;
My throat is dry;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God.

⁴ Those who hate me without a cause
Are more than the hairs of my head;
They are mighty who would destroy me,
Being my enemies wrongfully;
Though I have stolen nothing,
I still must restore it.

⁵ O God, You know my foolishness;
And my sins are not hidden from You.
⁶ Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God of hosts, be ashamed because of me;
Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God of Israel.
⁷ Because for Your sake I have borne reproach;
Shame has covered my face.
⁸ I have become a stranger to my brothers,
And an alien to my mother’s children;
⁹ Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up,
And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.
¹⁰ When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting,
That became my reproach.
¹¹ I also made sackcloth my garment;
I became a byword to them.
¹² Those who sit in the gate speak against me,
And I am the song of the drunkards.

Psalm 69 is a Messianic Psalm, parts of which, like Psalm 22, Jesus the Messiah was surely praying from the cross, as the experiences of David foreshadowed certain experiences of Christ, the Son of David, some of which are also reflected in the lives of all Christians.

“I sink in deep mire.” David describes his grief, weariness, and desperation, which Christ experienced to an even greater degree on the cross. But there is no despair here, no giving up on God’s help. David’s prayer becomes the Messiah’s prayer, “Save me, O God…I wait for my God.”

Who is causing this grief? “Those who hate me without a cause.” David, like Jesus, had not wronged those who hated him. But this is part of the enmity that God described in Genesis 3:15 that would exist between believers and unbelievers in this world. Before God, David, like all of us, could confess his foolishness and his sins, but before men, David was innocent, while Jesus was innocent before both God and men. Therefore, the hatred displayed against them both was entirely unjust.

When believers suffer unjustly, for God’s sake, it still hurts. It’s still painful. But Jesus, who was well-acquainted with unjust suffering, encourages us, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:11-12).

Why should we gladly suffer unjustly for God’s sake? Because Jesus suffered unjustly for our sake. “Christ suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18). Indeed, as prophesied in this Psalm, it was zeal for God’s house that consumed Jesus and led Him to cleanse the temple in Jerusalem (twice!) before He was crucified. The house of God was not only there for God’s glory. It was there for the salvation of those who were to find God there. It was for both God’s sake and for sinners’ sake that Jesus willingly bore reproach. May we be willing to do the same!

Let us pray: O Lord Jesus, thank You for suffering unjustly for us. When we suffer grief and sadness for Your sake, sustain us by Your Spirit as we wait for You to deliver us. Amen.

Exodus 21:20-36 NKJV

21 “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: ² If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. ³ If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. ⁴ If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. ⁵ But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ ⁶ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

⁷ “And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. ⁸ If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. ⁹ And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. ¹⁰ If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. ¹¹ And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.

¹² “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. ¹³ However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

¹⁴ “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

¹⁵ “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

¹⁶ “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

¹⁷ “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

¹⁸ “If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed, ¹⁹ if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed.

What can we glean from the civil laws set forth in today’s reading as the Lord sought to keep order in Israelite society?

There was to be punishment if a master murdered his indentured servant. This taught respect for the humanity of the servant. At the same time, the law imposed no penalties for beating a servant, recognizing that, during his time of servitude, the servant was also the property of the owner, thus strongly discouraging people from making the poor choices that could lead to their servitude. But the servant was to be set free if the owner were to permanently disable the servant, even the loss of a tooth, which would deter an owner from beating his servant harshly in the first place. Thus, the curb of the law served as a deterrent for all bad behavior, even as it incentivized good behavior, because sinful human beings need those deterrents and incentives in order to live at peace with one another.

There were penalties imposed for doing any harm to a pregnant woman, especially if any permanent harm came to her or to her child, showing God’s determination to protect life both inside and outside the womb. He required “life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, etc.” for any injury that occurred.

Jesus cited this law in the Sermon on the Mount. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matt. 5:38-39). The Lord was not disagreeing with the law He Himself had given through Moses. The civil laws of Moses were to be implemented by the civil authorities, but not by the individual. It’s personal, private revenge that Jesus forbids, not the carrying out of justice by the civil authorities.

So, again, we find some general principles revealed in the civil law of Moses: God, through government, holds people responsible for their actions. Accidents are not crimes, but negligence is. Punishments are to fit the crime. And those who have lost are to be compensated for their loss by the one responsible for it. Truly God’s ways are just and right! Let us pray: O Lord, we praise You for preserving a degree of peace on this earth through the principles of justice You have established; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Exodus 21:1-19 NKJV

21 “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: ² If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. ³ If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. ⁴ If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master’s, and he shall go out by himself. ⁵ But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ ⁶ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever.

⁷ “And if a man sells his daughter to be a female slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do. ⁸ If she does not please her master, who has betrothed her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has dealt deceitfully with her. ⁹ And if he has betrothed her to his son, he shall deal with her according to the custom of daughters. ¹⁰ If he takes another wife, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marriage rights. ¹¹ And if he does not do these three for her, then she shall go out free, without paying money.

¹² “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. ¹³ However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

¹⁴ “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

¹⁵ “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

¹⁶ “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

¹⁷ “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

¹⁸ “If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die but is confined to his bed, ¹⁹ if he rises again and walks about outside with his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed.

Today’s reading begins a section of civil laws governing Israelite society under the Old Testament. It’s important to remember that these laws were not designed either to create or to govern a perfect society on earth. They were laws intended to govern a society of sinners, all of whom were members of the Visible Church of Israel, but many of whom were not actual believers in the God of Israel. Nor has God imposed these civil laws, with their specific penalties, on any society except for Old Testament Israel. Still, we learn some things about our God from them.

The first laws given in this chapter have to do with Hebrew servants, or “slaves,” where an Israelite man could voluntarily sell himself or a family member into the service of another Israelite. Why was this practice allowed at all? It was God’s alternative to a welfare system for those who were able to work. God commanded charity, but He didn’t regulate it or make it a long-term solution to poverty in Israel. Instead, He set up a well-regulated system in which those who bankrupted themselves could sell themselves temporarily to their neighbor, to become his full-time indentured servants, ensuring that they would at least have food, clothing, and shelter. Here we see the principle that the apostle Paul also expresses, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10).

Next, we encounter the penalties God established for certain crimes: the death penalty for premeditated murder, for striking or even cursing one’s father or mother, and for kidnapping, while lesser penalties were imposed for assault and battery. See how serious God was (and still is) about the 4^th Commandment (“Honor your father and mother”) and about the 5^th Commandment (“You shall not murder”)! See how God’s law served as a curb against bad behavior! Unlike modern ideas about reforming criminals, God’s plan of justice in a fallen world was to punish criminals swiftly, with punishments that fit the crime, both giving the criminals what they deserved and deterring others from committing similar crimes. Let us pray: Lord God, we thank You for the laws You gave to Israel. Teach us by them, so that we may always do what is right in Your sight; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Exodus 20:1-26 NJKV

20 And God spoke all these words, saying:

² “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

³ “You shall have no other gods before Me.

⁴ “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, ⁶ but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

⁷ “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

⁸ “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days you shall labor and do all your work, ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. ¹¹ For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.

¹² “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

¹³ “You shall not murder.

¹⁴ “You shall not commit adultery.

¹⁵ “You shall not steal.

¹⁶ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

¹⁷ “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

¹⁸ Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

²⁰ And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” ²¹ So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

²² Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven. ²³ You shall not make anything to be with Me—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves. ²⁴ An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you. ²⁵ And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it. ²⁶ Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’

Every Christian should know the Ten Commandments. But even more important than knowing them is understanding them in their Biblical and historical context, for which Luther’s explanations in the Small Catechism are an invaluable tool. For now, let’s focus on three things in this chapter.

The first thing to notice is that the Ten Commandments were not dropped down from heaven to all men; they were given specifically to the nation of Israel in the context of their recent delivery from slavery in Egypt. In fact, this is the first word that God speaks to the people gathered in fear and awe at the foot of Mt. Sinai: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Certain parts of the Ten Commandments applied only to Old Testament Israel, while large parts reflect the eternal, unchanging will of God for all mankind.  Studying the Law of Moses involves distinguishing between God’s eternal will for all men (often referred to as the “moral law”) and His temporary commands for Israel only (referred to as “ceremonial law” and “civil law”).

The second thing to notice is that, as Jesus makes clear in the Sermon on the Mount (cf. Matt. 5), the Ten Commandments govern not only our actions but also the words we speak and the very thoughts and desires of our hearts. The commandments forbidding coveting make this especially clear. God commands not only outward obedience but obedience that flows from genuine love for God and for our neighbor.

Third, notice that the Ten Commandments command well enough, but they do not empower obedience. Many of the same people who heard God thunder down His commandments would soon flagrantly disobey the very first one. Such disobedience became an entrenched pattern for Israel, revealing the utter depravity of sinful man and the need for sinners to be saved in a different way than by keeping the commandments, namely, through faith in Christ Jesus, who has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (Gal. 3:13).

Let us pray: Lord, grant us Your Holy Spirit, that we who trust in Jesus alone for salvation may joyfully and diligently run in the way of Your commandments. Amen.