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.