Journal Through the Bible: Week 14 Thursday

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Exodus 21:12-22:15

Is it a coincidence that God gave Moses and the Hebrews a judicial system so soon after Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, told him that there needed to be lower courts to hear all the disputes between neighbors? (I don't believe in coincidences.) In this passage we read just a few of the judgments made by God, the Supreme Judge, setting the standard for the people of Israel.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• God does not make any promises in this passage, but if His standards were followed today neighbors would certainly get along much better than they do and there certainly would be less crime

Are there any references to Jesus?

• As previously stated, Jesus kept the law perfectly. He never misused another human being or their property

Are there any references to yet-future events?

• No, but it can be understood that there will be no need for such standards of judgment when there is no sin to cause mischief and hurt to one another. Someday there will be no such thing as a bad neighbor or a dangerous animal.

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• 21:12-14 deals with the killing of another human being whether it be murder or manslaughter
• 21:15-27 deals with various grievances among men in their dealings with each other
• 21:28-32, 35-36 deals with the responsibilities of the owner of a dangerous animal, in this case an ox
• 21:33-34 deals with the responsibilities of someone who sets a dangerous trap where others or their livestock might get hurt. In this case it was digging an open pit
• 22:1-5 deals with issues of theft
• 22:6-15 deals with issues of borrowing, restitution, breaking and repairing, and negligence