Exodus 21:1 – 29:46
21:1-11: Hebrew Servants
Ø God allowed Hebrews to be slaves to other Hebrews. Under what circumstances?
Ø Were Hebrew slaves for life?
Ø Paul describes himself as a “bond slave” to Christ. How does that apply to this passage?
Ø How could a Hebrew slave be “redeemed”? Compare this to N.T. “redemption”?
21:12-36: God’s Instruction for Dealing with Personal Injuries in the Hebrew Culture
Ø Does God differentiate between types of “killing”? Explain.
Ø What does the severity of God’s Law tell us about how God views human life? Has God changed His view since this was written? Any NT passages that may shed light on this?
Ø Personal responsibility was a key element in God’s law and judgment. Application today?
22:1-15: Protection of Property
Ø How did God view stealing?
Ø Did God allow property owners the right to protect their property?
Ø Is an animal owner responsible for the actions of his animal in God’s eyes?
Ø Why were these provisions so important for the Hebrew society? Applicable for today?
22:16-31: Social Responsibilities
Ø From God’s perspective in what relationship is sexual intimacy permitted?
Ø What is sorcery? Why does God proscribe death for anyone dealing in sorcery?
Ø Does God allow the worship of any god other than He?
Ø Why is God so strict with the Hebrews? (See vs. 31)
Ø Do these same provisions of the law apply today? If so, how?
23:1-9: Justice and Mercy
Ø List what God said in these verse that was not acceptable behavior.
Ø Why do you think He specified these areas?
Ø Is there any application for us today?
23:10-19: Sabbath Laws
Ø Does the term Sabbath only apply to a certain day of the week?
Ø Why does God call for a day of rest for His people?
Ø Why don’t we worship on the Sabbath today? Can we still celebrate the Sabbath? Explain.
23:20-33: God’s Angels
Ø Describe the “angel” that God deployed to lead the Hebrews. What characteristics of the angel stand out to you?
Ø Who is this Angel? (See 1 Cor. 10:4)
Ø God tells His people to “wipe out” all the inhabitants of the land to which He is sending the Hebrews? Why? Isn’t that harsh? Could not they be “saved” for God?
Ø Is there any application for the Church or the believer today?
24:1-18: The Covenant Confirmed
Ø “The covenant law had two principal parts. First, the Ten Commandments expressed God’s requirements of Israel in a concise form (Ex 20:2–17). . . Although the tendency in the present day is to view the Ten Commandments as a system of ethics or morality, they had a different role in ancient Israel. The covenant law was the foundation or constitution of a new nation, a special “nation of priests.” The head of the nation-state was God. Hence, in ancient Israel the status of the Ten Commandments was approximately that of the code of criminal law in a modern nation-state. To break one of those laws was to commit a crime against God, the head of the state. Yet the laws had a positive purpose. They set down a way of life that would result in a full and rich communion with God and community with others.
The second part of the covenant law was a detailed law code covering the activities of everyday life. . . Although many laws were contained in this book, it was impossible to codify every aspect of human behavior. The diversity of the examples given indicates that for the covenant member no area of human life was beyond the influence of the covenant. Persons who entered into a relationship with God entered into a relationship that impinged on every possible aspect of their lives.”[1]
25:1-29:46: God Chooses to Tabernacle Among His People
Ø In these chapters God instructs His people on the construction of His tabernacle and on how to properly worship Him? Applications for us today?
Ø “The ark was not an empty box. It contained three items which are enumerated in Hebrews 9:4. . . The contents of the ark were also symbolic. Aaron’s rod that budded speaks of the Lord’s resurrection. The manna speaks of the fact that Christ is the Bread of Life. The Ten Commandments speak of the life He lived on earth fulfilling the Law in all points and fulfilling the prophecies spoken of Him.”[2]
Ø “The table is a type of Christ. It pictures Him. The table of showbread suggests many things: it speaks of sustenance, provision, and supply. It is the table of salvation. This table also speaks of the Lord’s Supper, as instituted by the Lord Himself just prior to His death upon the Cross. It is a table for believers. The table of showbread is a prefiguration of Christ as the sustainer of spiritual life for the believer.”[3]
Ø “Christ is the light, as symbolized by the lamp stand in the Holy Place. If you wanted natural light, you had to go outside the tabernacle. If you wanted to walk in the light of the lamp stand, you had to go inside the tabernacle. John 1:9 tells us that Jesus Christ is the “… true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” [4]
[1]Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). Tyndale Bible dictionary. Tyndale reference library (325). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.
[2]McGee, J. V. (1991). Vol. 05: Thru the Bible commentary: The Law (Exodus 19-40). Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.). Thru the Bible commentary (60). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[3]McGee, J. V. (1991). Vol. 05: Thru the Bible commentary: The Law (Exodus 19-40). Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.). Thru the Bible commentary (64). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
[4]McGee, J. V. (1991). Vol. 05: Thru the Bible commentary: The Law (Exodus 19-40). Based on the Thru the Bible radio program. (electronic ed.). Thru the Bible commentary (67). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
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