False Gods Exodus 32

Exodus 32:1 "And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."

Contrast this verse with the promise of the people back in chapter 20 verse 23

"Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold."

chapter 19 verse 8 "And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord."

Imagine for a moment our forefathers working feverishly on the Declaration of Independence and coming up with a good plan for the people and the country. Exhausted and excited they come to the people only to find they had went over to the enemy. Perhaps Moses felt emotions and disappointment similiar to what they would have felt when he came from talking with God and found false gods in the camp.

We know now that Israel survived but at that point in time they were on the verge of nonexistence.

verse 9-10 "And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people and behold it is a stiffnecked people; Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

It sounds like the Lord was saying, never mind all the plans from Abraham, Issac and Jacob and the rescue from Egypt. I'll just start all over with you Moses.

Not only is the Lord angry but Moses is very unhappy as well.

verse 19-20 "And it came to pass, as soon, as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he casst the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount. And he took the calf which they had made and burnt it in the fire and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, a made the children of Israel drink of it."

The people are guilty and they have no defense. Between them and the wrath of God stands one man. Moses. Three thousand men v28 fell that day under the judgment of God but the nation survived because of Moses and the mercy of the Lord.

verse 31-32 "And Moses returned unto the Lord and said Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee out of thy book which thou has written."

But the Lord did not put the peope's sin on Moses but rather plagued them v35 "And the Lord plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made."

In another time and another place, another man stood before God in defense of people who had sinned. This time the sins of the people were placed on the man and a way of salvation was made.

Romans 5:19 "For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. v21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

Psalm 6 1-2 "O Lord rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord; for I am weak: O Lord, heal me; for my bones are vexed."

A Dark Day

Moses has been on the mountain taking instructions from the Lord for the tabernacle and how the people are to live. Meanwhile, the people complain that he has been gone a long time. They go after Aaron to satisfy their boredom. What Moses finds upon his return is enough to make even him mad.

Bezaleel Exodus 31

Exodus 31:1-3 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri the son of Hur, and the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship."

We should note that God called Bezaleel by name.
We should note that God called him for a purpose.
We should note that God gave him the ability (filled him with wisdom and understanding).
We should note that God spoke to the man in charge so Bezaleel would have the authority.
We should not v6 that God gave Bezaleel some help. (Aholiab)

Verses 12-17 is the command to keep the sabbath. They may work six days but are to rest on the seventh. It is a reminder to Israel that God created six days and rested the seventh.

V18 "And he gave unto Moses when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God."

Notice that the word is tables not tablets. They will end up in the ark of the covenant later. Also that these two were written by the finger of God.
Later after trouble in the camp and Moses goes back to the mountain, I believe we will find that Moses had to bring tables and write down what God said himself rather than God writing with his finger. We'll get to that later.

Moses has been alone on the mountain with the Lord for a long time. Chapter 19-31. God has given Moses a lot of instructions to carry out. I expect Moses was pretty excited and eager to tell the people what he had heard but there is not joy upon his return.

Psalm 119:97 "Oh how love I the law! it is my meditation all the day."

Altar Exodus 30

Exodus 30:10 "And Aaron shall make an atonement upon the horns of it once in a year with the blood of the sin offering of atonements; once in the year shall he make atonement upon it throughout your generations: it is most holy unto the Lord."

The Lord repeated himself that the blood was to be applied to the altar once a year. It is noteworthy that when the Lord repeats something it is very important. Of course, the whole Bible is important but we should pay attention when it is repeated.

In this chapter the elaborate making of the altar is described. It sits before the ark where the Lord comes to meet with the high priest in the most holy place. There is a great process of cleansing as one enters the front gate and approaches the veil. Inside is where the atonement is made by blood for the sins of the people.

In the new testament and speaking of Christ things are different "Hebrews 7:22-25 "By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

In our chapter the blood was applied once a year. Christ blood was applied for all eternity.

Location of the altar: v6 "And thou shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee."

Note that the ark is called the ark of the testimony.

The chapter also discusses how the tabernacle is to be supported financially. An offering of 1/2 shekel was to be given by everyone 20 years old and above. v14, 15, 16

v23-38 deals with making of oil and a perfume and how to make it to be used to anoit the priest and no one else. The formula was not to be copied.

v38 "Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people."

Proverbs 25:19 "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint."

Hallow the Priest Exodus 29

Exodus 29:1-3 "And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock and two rams without blemish And unleavened bread and cakes unleavened tempered with oil and waffers unleavened anointed with oil, of wheaton flour shalt thou make them And thou shalt put them into one basket and bring them in the basket with the bullock and the two rams."

Outline:
-The sacrifice and ceremonies of consecrating the priests v1
-The continual burnt offering v38
-God's promise to dwell among the children of Israel. v45

We have seen the precise building of the tabernacle and the garments for the priest. The offerings are just as precise. First of all, before the priest can minister to the Lord and represent the people, they must be consecrated. Some offering is to be burned as a burnt offering v25 unto the Lord. Some is for a wave offering v26-27. Then there is the continual sacrifice of the two lambs. I'd like to zero in on verse 20-21 where the priest and their garments are consecrated.

Exodus 29:20-21 "Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons and upon the thumb of their right hand and upon the great toe of their right foot and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about. And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar and of the anointing oil and sprinkle it upon Aaron and upon his garments and upon his sons and upon the garments of his sons with him: an dhe shall be hallowed and his garments and his sons' garments with him."

The last part of the chapter contains the promise. If you will do all this I(the Lord) will dwell with you. We must remember that a holy God is making arrangements to live among a sinful people. Although they are chosen for a purpose, there is still the sinful nature that must be dealt with.

v43 "And there I will meet with the children of Israel and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by my glory." v45 "And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God."

In review, we should be aware that Moses is on the mountain top receiving all this from the Lord. He is on Mt Sinai and there are "thunders and lightenings and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud..." 19:16. It is a serious, historical time in the lives of the children of Israel. They have only recently come from under 400 years of slavery.

I should also remind us that the promise of Abraham still carries within the children of Israel.

The events hear lead us to an understanding of events many years later when Christ comes to earth and becomes our high priest to plead our case before God the Father.

Hebrews 9:11-14 "But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands that is to say not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy palce having ordained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean sanctifieth to purifing of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

So, in all these instructions and the years of practice that follow, they are but a very real and necessary practice to teach the redemption process and give us understanding of the final sacrifice for sin: the Christ.

Psalm 33:20-22 "Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee."

Priest garments Exodus 28

Exodus 28:6 "And thou shalt make a plate of gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet HOLINESS TO THE LORD."

The colors and materials reflect those used in the building of the tabernacle leaving me the impression that the two parts (garments of the priest and tabernacle) are all one.

I'd like to point out two verses that I find very touching. They show that the Lord ever had the children of Israel on his mind.

Exodus 28:11-12 "With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them be set in ouches of gold. And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord upon his two shoulders for a memorial."

What a difference time makes. It seems that in our day many (but not all) ministers do not bear their people before the Lord. By their living standards, they appear to be living above their people. Something is the matter when a preacher buys a luxury car from the pennies of the widows and poor.

Psalm 119:89 "Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven."

The Priest - and his garments Exodus 28

Exodus 28:1 "And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons."

Previously we saw the instructions for building the tabernacle. It is full of intricate details. Now we see the great detail placed on making the garments for the priests. Today I will give an outline of chapter 28.

-Aaron and his sons are set apart for the priest's office
-Holy garments are appointed
-The ephod
-The breastplate with twelve precious stones
-The urim and Thummim
-The robe of the ephod with pomegranates and bells
-The plate of the mitre
-The embroidered coat
-The garments for Aaron's sons

V5 "And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen."

Psalm 103:14 "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust."

Exodus 27 "Tabernacle" The Light

Exodus 27:20 "And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always."

Let us not forget that Moses is still on the mountain taking instructions from the Lord while the children of Israel wait.

It would be difficult to talk about anything God does without noticing the presence of light. We know from John that he is light. There is also the association of Satan and darkness. So, the distinction is unmistakeable. I add that God does things openly while Satan does things in a deceptive manner.

John 1:1-9 "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light, That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world."

The oil in the lamp represents the Spirit of God while the light represents Jesus. It is through the Spirit that we know the Christ. The Spirit reveals Christ to humanity which is worldly and can not otherwise understand spiritual things.

So, in the tabernacle, we not only see a place of worship and communion for man with God. We also see how a relationship comes about between man and God. There is an order of things for sinful man to stand before a holy God. While (I must say) God is merciful, and just and loving, he is also righteous.

On an earthly level, it is sort of like going to court without a lawyer to represent you. The judge will most likely do exactly as the law reads. But a lawyer might point out circumstances which give the judge a reason to be merciful. So with God. He has stated what man is to do and man does something else instead. Then comes Christ to represent us. He bore our penalty and his blood testifies to that fact before God the Father. We are therefore justified, not because we are faultless but because the penalty has already been paid.

Romans 3:24-25 "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation though faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;"

Psalm 116:12-13 "What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord."

Tabernacle

Exodus 26: 33 "And thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy."

The tabernacle was like a tent in a tent. There was a large door for the people to enter and another where the priest entered into the holiest of holies.

This seperation between the people and the Lord takes us back to the garden of Eden where man sinned and was therefore seperated from God by that sin. A verse in the New Testament should be noted here.

Matthew 27:51 "And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; v52 And the graves were opened and many bodies of the saints which slept arose v53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

I mention this because as the veil represented the seperation between God and man, so the renting of the veil represented that by the death of Jesus the seperation has been removed through Him alone.

The tabernacle was 45 ft long, 15 feet wide and 15 feet high. The outer curtains were 150 feet by 70 feet. The outer door was 30 feet wide. There was a thick covering which included goats hair and one source says badger skin.

One would enter the outer opening(sanctuary) with the candlestick on the left and the shewbread on the right. The altar is ahead and then beyond the veil the ark of the covenant. An urn is provided for the priest to wash his hands and feet before entering the holiest.

The tabernacle was about 9 months in the making. I am reminded that it was about 9 months to wait for the birth of the Savior. Of course, Israel waited hundreds of years.

The opening to enter was facing east which probably accounts for the reverence to the now walled up eastern gate in Jerusalem.

As with much in the Bible, a book could be written on the tabernacle and the meaning of all the articles in its making and those placed inside. As mentioned the veil has great significance, but then so does all of it. The mercy seat should be noted and thanks given for. It is good to have a mercy seat before the judge of the universe, for it was oft sprinkled with blood in times past for the sins of the people. We will find later that Christ offered his own blood on the mercy seat in heaven for our sins and was accepted for our atonement.

Psalm 71:17-18 "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have showed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come."

Tabernacle Exodus 26 and 27

At this point I suggest reading these two chapters. Notice the attention to detail and the quality of the materials. It is a place of majesty and made to be mobile. Years ago I helped put up, took down and moved a huge gospel tent many times. We only lost one to a twister. The details are important and skipping one can cause serious problems.

Candlestick for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:31 "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft and his branches, his bowls, his knobs and his flowers, shall be of the same."

I believe this golden candlestick represents Christ.

It consisted of:
-7 places for candles called bowels(shaped like almonds)
-6 branches (three on either side of the center candle)
-knobs
-flower

The shaft under the center candle was to have three branches on either side.

According to my comprehensive bible helps:

-location: left side of one entering holy place opposite shewbread table
-size: five feet high
3 1/2 across
made of: 1 talent of gold

It was to be all of one piece. The tongs and snuffdishes were of gold v38.

Suggested reading Revelation 1-2, Revelation 21:23

Psalm 4:6 "There be many that say, Who will show us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us."

Tabernacle Sidenote

I just ran across this site which appears to have some good details on the tabernacle. This site appears to be sound but as always on the internet use good judgment: http://www.the-tabernacle-place.com/

I could use your help

If you know the title and author of some good fundamental books or studies on the tabernacle or sermons, please leave a reference to them for our readers. I venture to say that J Vernon Mcgee has covered it, a link to his site is on the front page at right. I've listened to him for years and trust his wisdom. I'm sure there are others.

Exodus 25 Tabernacle or Sanctuary Part 1

Exodus 25: 8 "Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them."

Jumping back to the previous chapter I should note that it contains a general guideline for the children of Israel. I say general because more details come later. The word general in no way should diminish the importance of these commands. Moses is going up into the mount to meet with the Lord and it was necessary to leave instructions for the people. You will note that the people agreed to do as instructed. So later if judgment comes we should remember that they did agree.

Exodus 24:3 "And 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 hath said will we do."

So you see as we proceed, we must realize that the people knew what they should do. We will see them falter but it is not through ignorance that they do it.

We have journeyed in our study from the garden of Eden where humanity sinned and saw the shedding of blood to make them coats to cover their nakedness. We have seen the flood and the ark of safety for Noah. Then we say the family of Abraham develop into a nation while in captivity in Egypt. They have now come out of Egypt under the guiding hand of Moses and the miracles of the Lord. The Lord desires to be near them but for God to dwell amonst a sinful people there must be strict guidelines, not to protect the Lord but to protect the people. For a holy God cannot look upon sin. As in Eden where the blood was shed, so must the dwelling be santified with blood as an atonement for sin and the blood stands as a protecting wall (if you will) between sinful people and a holy God. We have talked of this blood pointing to and representing the blood that Christ shed in the new testament.

And so in the building of the sanctuary we can see Christ and his work. There are books and studies on the tabernacle which go into great detail in what everything means. I simply want to note two things which will help in our study:
-when building the tabernacle, it started with the Lord as represented by the ark.
-In approach man begins with himself and moves toward the Lord, as represented by the washing and the progressive move toward the holiest of hollies. The mercy seat being sprinkled with the blood of atonement.

The colors of the tabernacle: (as accepted by scholars)
-Gold-diety - divine glory
-silver-redemption
-brass symbol of judgment
-blue: heavenly origin or nature
-purple: royalty
-scarlet: sacrifice
(from Scofield's footnotes)

Exodus 25:1-2 "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel that they brng me an offering of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering."

And so a list is provided of material needed to make the tabernacle. This is not a tax on the people but as the verse says an offering from those who wish to give. You can tell from the list that it is going to be a thing of beauty and unlike anything seen before.

Gold stands out in the makings v30 "...thou shalt set upon the table shewbread before me alway." or showbread.

Again I go to my footnotes for guidance where I find that shewbread is a type of Christ. He is the life-sustaining Christ. As the manna was the life-giving Christ.
John 12:24 (Jesus talking) "Verily, verily, I say unto you Except a corn of wheat fall into the grond and die, it abideth alone, but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit."
Who can deny that from the death of Jesus many have come to believe? And so one grain of wheat has produced a bountiful crop.

Next we will see the details of the candlestick.

Psalm 126:6 "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him."

Numbers in the Bible (Side note)

I would not venture to predict the end of the world based on numbers in the Bible. It is interesting from time to time to note numbers for they do have a meaning although I do not always catch on to them.

In the previous chapter Exodus 24 v 18 you will notice that Moses was forty days and forty nights in the cloud with the Lord. If you look at Genesis 7:12 the "And the rain was upon the earth forty days and forty nights. Then again in Luke 4:2 in the story of Jesus' temptation "Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered."

There may be other examples but I do not recall them at the moment. I cannot give any deep meaning to these but they should be noted now in case we find more clarity in later studies.

Exodus 24 "Come up unto the Lord"

Exodus 24:13 "And Moses rose up and his minister Joshua and Moses went up into the mount of God."

After the command for Moses to meet the Lord on the mountain it is 12 verses and a second command before Moses actually heads up the mountain to meet alone with God. During this time Moses reminds the people of the covenant and builds an altar. He then sprinkled the altar with blood. It seems that in verse 10 a select group saw God, at least the spot where He was "there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness." I do not pretend to understand that fully but I have no doubt they knew God was in the place.

A "cloud covered the mount" v15. It was into this cloud that Moses went alone and stayed for six days. v16 then on the seventh the Lord called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. What transpired in the 6 days, I cannot tell. Perhaps Moses did not know or could not see where God was but then he heard the Lord's voice and in v17 saw the "sight of the glory of the Lord was like devouring fire on the top of the mountain".

So Moses did as we should do and followed the voice of the Lord to where he was. Then for 40 days and nights "Moses was in the mount..."

The next chapter begins the instructions the Lord gave Moses. The detail is amazing. Think about it...The Lord is telling Moses how to do something.

Psalm 146:18 "The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."

Still Here

Just a note. I am still here and thinking of my next post. I've been under the weather again and not able to sit at the computer much. I'll try to do better.

Exodus 23 "Little by Little"

Exodus 23:30 "By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. v29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee."

I heard once that someone prayed 'Give me patience, Lord, and hurry.'

God does things in his time and in his way. We may not always know the reason as the Israelites did but we can rest assure there is a good one.

Psalm 145:17 "The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works."

Exodus 23 contains further instructions for Israel as they ready for their entry into Canaan. I think of parents talking to their new adult child as they go out into the world. 'Now don't forget this...don't forget that...remember to so-and-so...'

He tells them to not follow the crowd to do evil v2. There is further talk about how to treat neighbors and their property. Verse 10-11 talks about letting the land rest after six years for a whole year then ties it in with resting on the seventh day of the week v12. He further talks about the feast they would keep.

In verse 20-23 God tells them of the angel that was to guide and protect them and how they should have respect for him. Then, v24-25 He talks of worshipping only the Lord God.

v8 "And thou shalt take no gift; for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous." We know that to be a true statement. If you have two friends, one gives you a gift and the other does not, who would you be the quickest to do a favor for? Politicians and lobbyist have used the gift to subvert our government and it is true to the highest and lowest levels.

Proverbs 3:27 "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it."

Proverbs 3:1-3 "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: for length of days and long life and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about they neck; write them upon the table of thine heart."

Do Right by thy Neighbor Exodus 22

Exodus 22 26-27 "If thou at all take thy neighbor's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious."

Here is a list of everyday "do rights" . It would seem that much of it could have gone without saying as they cover just plain acting right toward others. But having lived a long time, I can see that people tend to do the wrong until there is a penalty to redirect them. Even then, some people will still do what they can get away with.

Our society seems bent on breaking every commandment in the Bible. It seems to be the attitude that if enough people do wrong that it somehow makes it right. Not so.

A couple of verses jumped out at me. Verse 16 "And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife." Now, for the most part that one has been thrown out the window but it is still right. It is a way to right a wrong.

Verse 21 "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt." There was an old song about a stranger. It said of a young man that he was someones son. A person may be a stranger to us but somewhere they are known and not a stranger.

Verse 22-24 "Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry. And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. A very strict punishment for a very low action.

Psalm 34:13 "Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile."

Exodus 21 "Day to Day Laws"

Exodus 21:1 "Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them."

It would have been difficult for Moses or any judge to come up with fair settlements between people without some guideline. With these guidelines, they did not have to 'think up' the proper path but had only to know the law as God had given it. As in our day, the judge had some leeway here and there but mostly he just had to know the law and dispense judgement accordingly.

I admit, as I study, I get bogged down in some of these chapters. There is one passage that stands out to me. It deals with being a welling servant.

Exodus 21:5-6 "And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl; and he shall serve him forever."

There were specific guidelines for a servant to be set free. He might be purchased and serve for six years but on the seventh he was to go free. In this case, the master has given him a wife and they have children, but the rule is he can be set free but since his wife was a gift and the children are a product of that gift, they belong to the master. The servant is free to leave but his wife and children must stay. So, because he loves his master and his family the servant, due to be freed willingly becomes a servant for life.

Exodus 21:3 "If he came in my himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him."

It is near impossible for us, in this modern age, to get a handle on the servant and master relationship of the early Bible days. Any thoughts we have are clouded by the cruel slavery days of years past. Servants were treated much different in early Bible days. They were trusted members of the household and had lives of their own and rights under the law. If I had to make a comparison, I would think their situation was more comfortable than many modern free people who must work in a plant for people who could care less about their well-being. People who work very hard but never make enough to accumulate any kind of wealth.

In our verse, it is better for the man to become a servant than to be free. He has all the wealth of his master's house and his family is taken care of by the same laws. He can be free with nothing or stay with the master and have everything. He is more free in his master's house than he would be 'out on his own' . Out on his own, he would have to work for someone, provide a place to live, food and protection for himself. And he would be alone. In the master's house he is protected, fed, sheltered and loved by his family. The only hang up is he must serve the master. But wait, he loves the master, so if you love someone, serving them is a token of love. Does a mother consider changing a baby or feeding it a burden? No. She loves the child even though she is a servant to its every cry. Does a man or woman consider it a burden to work and feed her family? He or she may get tired but the joy of being able to provide for them takes away the burden and replaces it with joy over their comfort.

As we serve the Lord willingly, are we being treated badly because we are asked to keep the house clean or tell another of the joy of having a master who talks of himself as our brother and shares his endless kingdom with us. He could just give us the kingdom to do with as we see fit, but what if we squandered it as did the prodigal son and there was nothing left. No. It is better that He keep the kingdom with all his wisdom for He is able to preserve it for our joy.

Psalm 27:4-5 "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock."