# 03 2025 Dev. Ex.22:1. “Practical Applications!” Read all of chapter twenty two first. We invite you into God’s space, to read His Word, to think on and interact with. This is God’s Story. Do you believe that this may also be part of our story, in our time? All passages are taken from the NIV.
Vs.1. “Whoever steals an ox or a sheep and slaughters it or sells it must pay back five head of cattle for the ox and four sheep for the sheep.”
Ex.22. Chapter 21 expands on the fifth and sixth commandments. This is based on the culture of the time; parents are to be respected, people were bought and sold as slaves, murder and accidents are covered. Ch.22 expands on the eighth commandment as well as aspects of the seventh and the tenth commandments.
Vs.1-15. “Protection of Property.” The eighth commandment: “You shall not steal”. In these verses several scenarios are presented that comprise of dishonesty. In that time it was a serous offense, if caught, a person must reimburse the owner four times, or be sold into servitude if he could not pay. If serious consequences were applied today it may very well reduce the crime rate.
Vs.16-31 “Social Responsibility.” “If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife.” However if she is pledged to be married, he must be killed. If the woman was married, they both will be put to death. Jesus, in the “Sermon on the Mount” expands on that command: Mt. 5:27-28 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”’ We praise and thank God for His mercy and grace. Amen.
Witchcraft, bestiality and sacrifices to a false God are strictly forbidden and caries capital punishment. Exploitation is forbidden, especially of the poor. If you lend to the poor do not charge interest. “Do not hold back offerings”. In those days it meant produce and the first born. But today it means the blessings God has given us. Be generous. The bottom line, God says be holy, live as holy people in an unholy world. Thanks be to God!
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