We shall
continue the study of Exodus, the second book of the Old Testament.
9th Commandment (v. 16)
(1) As a commandment, this is the first that mentions about “neighbor”. Of course, all sins are sins, what does the singling out of a sin or crime against a neighbor signify, especially with this new covenant community?
(2) What might be the motive behind testifying falsely against one’s neighbor?
(3) Why is the punishment for such a crime so severe? (See Deut. 19:16-21)
(4) How does this particular commandment function in upholding the integrity of the legal process or judicial system of the covenanted community?
(5) The word for “false” also can mean lying, deceiving or fraudulent and when repeated in Deut. 5:20 another word for “false” is used which can also mean, nothingness, emptiness, worthlessness or something vain (Durham, 296). As we have seen from the reflections of the previous days, the real focus of the Ten Commandments is the heart; what kind of character does this 9th Commandment demand from the people of the covenant and what is its significance?
Matthew 22:34-40
(6) Should one commandment be greater or more important than another? Why?
(7) In citing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Lev. 19:18, how does Jesus summarize the Ten Commandments?
(8) When Jesus says, “And the second is like it”, what does He mean by “like”?
(9) By saying that the “two commandments” hang all “the Law and the Prophets”, what does Jesus see as the relationship between the two, even though He refers to one as the greatest and the other one as the second?
(10) What then is the use of the Ten Commandments to Christians today?
(11) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) Why did the Lord choose to reveal Himself in such a horrific way? What specific purpose(s) did He wish to achieve? (v.20)
(2) Did He achieve His purpose(s)? Did you get a sense that it might have backfired somewhat? Why?
(3) We like to associate darkness with evil or sin; however, v. 21 gives us another dimension when it is associated with God. What is it and why?
The Book of Covenant (See Meditative Reflection for today)
The first set of application in vv. 22-26 deal with their relationship with God as commanded especially in the 1st and 2nd Commandments—Law of Worship
(4) How does God reinforce the 1st and 2nd Commandments in vv. 22-23?
(5) What is His worry?
(6) How valid is it, then and now?
(7) V. 24 points out that their worship through sacrifice is not just a ritual, but something that brings blessings. How then should you understand your worship today?
(8) Why does God prohibit the use of dressed stones (which were common to Canaanite altars, according to Childs, 466)? What is the spiritual principle behind this prohibition?
(9) Why does God prohibit altars with steps? What is the spiritual principle behind this prohibition?
(10) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
As explained in yesterday’s Meditative Reflection, these instructions on slavery do not mean God condones slavery.
(1) What do you think is the likely reason why a person would become a slave?
(2) How would you describe the plight of a slave?
(3) What kind of protection and safeguard do vv. 2-3 aim to provide?
(4) Do you have any problem with the instruction of v. 4? What options are open to the slave in such an instance?
(5) What does the legal proceeding specified in vv. 5-6 seek to guard against?
(6) Concerning female slaves, what kind of protection is there for her?
a. What should be done if the relationship between her and the master is poor?
b. What is the implication of selling her to a foreign master?
c. What should be done if she is taken in marriage by the master’s son?
(7) As much as God has not done away with the slavery system right away, what do these instructions aim to achieve (and teach), and how different are they from slavery in pagan nations at the time?
(8) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
This section begins with the pronouncement of the serious penalty to murder, then it deals with more specific cases of intentional killing; attack on parents; kidnapping; non-fatal injuries in general, on slaves, and by negligence.
(1) On murder (vv. 12, 14): We have previously considered the death penalty already:
a. What is meant by “to be taken from my altar”? (See 1 Ki. 2:28-35; 1 Ki. 1:50-53)
(2) On manslaughter (v. 13):
a. Why does it say “but God lets it happen”?
b. What in fact is the punishment for manslaughter? (See Num. 35:25)
c. Why should a distinction be made between manslaughter and murder? Isn’t a life still being taken?
(3) On parents (v. 15, 17)
a. Even without taking the life of the parent, why is attacking or cursing of a parent treated with such severity?
(4) On kidnapping (v. 16)
a. Why does God treat kidnapping also with such severity or, how heinous a crime is kidnapping?
(5) On non-fatal injuries (vv. 18-27)
a. What are the punishments in general according to vv. 18-19?
b. What do these provisions aim at?
c. Why should a separate category be created for slaves in vv. 20-22 and vv. 26-27?
d. Do you see it as a provision of protection or discrimination? Why?
e. What is the provision regarding injuries to pregnant women?
f. What do you think of the principle for punishment explained in vv. 23-25, noting that this is a principle for use by the judges or elders, and not for private vengeance?
(6) How would you summarize the above provisions under this section in terms of the spirit of the law?
(7) What does Jesus explain as the spirit of this set of laws in Matthew 5:21-26?
(8) What have you learned today and how may you apply it in your life?
On Acts of Negligence causing death or injury
(1) Death caused by a bull (vv. 28-32)
a. What is the significance attached to the death of the offending bull with the provision that its meat must not be eaten (i.e. what does it signify)?
b. Under what condition can the owner be held responsible? Why?
c. Why can the owner’s life be redeemed by money if so demanded?
d. According to Keil and Delitzsch, “There are other ancient nations in whose law books we find laws relating to the punishment of animals for killing or wounding a man, but not one of them had a law which made the owner of the animal responsible as well…” (Pentateuch, 410) What does this say about our God and His Law?
(2) Death to animals (vv. 33-36)
a. Apart from setting a fair compensation, what warning does this provision seek to give?
b. How may you apply it today to your own life?
(3) These provisions certainly show how detailed God has meant His commandments to be in providing a full set of civil code. How would you summarize the above provisions in terms of the spirit of the law?
(4) How does this spirit reflect what is made plain in Leviticus 19:18?
(5) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
(1) A reinforcement and expansion of 8th Commandment (vv. 1-4 on theft)
a. In what way does the 6th Commandment appear to trump the 8th Commandment in v. 2? Why?
b. About restitution: Why is there a different provision for stolen animals that are still in possession and are alive?
(2) On negligence causing property’s loss (vv. 5-6)
a. What is the difference in intent between v.5 and v.6?
b. Why does the basis of compensation remain the same?
(3) On loss due to safekeeping (vv. 7-13)
a. What is the provision concerning loss of property due to theft when the thief is not caught?
b. What is the provision concerning loss of animals when the safekeeping neighbor is not at fault?
c. Would these provisions encourage or discourage safekeeping for neighbors then? Why?
(4) On borrowing (vv. 14-15)
a. This provision deals with common real-life situation. What does this provision teach us in terms of our relationship with our neighbors regarding the use of one another’s tools or property?
b. While this provides a basis for fair settlement, what really should it be if we are to practice love for our neighbors?
(5) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?
This section is kind of an eclectic collection of serious commands:
Vv.16-17, 19 are a reinforcement and extension of the 7th Commandment.
Vv. 18 and 20 are an extension of the 1st and 2nd Commandments.
Vv. 21-24 deal with the three most commonly marginalized groups of people.
Vv. 25-27 deal with lending.
(1) The 7th Commandment: You shall not commit adultery (vv. 16-17, 19)
a. This is perhaps a clarification of the 7th Commandment in that if the woman in question is engaged, this would have been considered adultery, the penalty of which is death (Deut. 22:23, 24). This, however, deals with pre-marital sex due to seduction (or persuasion, Keil, 413). How does God view such an act of sexual intercourse, even if it is so-called a “one-night stand”?
b. Why is sex with an animal such a perversion that deserves a death penalty?
(2) The 1st and 2nd Commandments (v. 18 and v.20)
a. Within the covenant community, how serious is the sin of a sorceress?
b. Within the covenant community, what does the sacrifice to any god other than the Lord signify and what serious consequences might it lead to?
(3) The Marginalized Foreigners (v. 21)
a. What is the basis for this commandment?
b. Why are foreigners particularly vulnerable? (If you or your parents are immigrants, write down the plight or disadvantages of being a foreigner?)
c. The Old Testament has admonished the people not to oppress the foreigners but to treat them equally at least 33 times. What does this tell you?
d. How is such a concern for aliens reflected in the “incarnation” of the Son of God, especially during His flight to Egypt?
(4) The Marginalized widows and fatherless (vv. 22-24)
a. How vulnerable are the widows and the fatherless?
b. Likewise, the Old Testament commands the people not to oppress but to take care of the widows and the fatherless at least 24 times. When God declares, “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling” (Ps. 68:5), how does it speak to you?
(5) How should these commands affect your attitude towards immigrants, the fatherless and the widows in your midst?
(6) Lending (vv. 25-27)
a. Why shouldn’t we charge interest to one of God’s people?
b. Have you ever charged interest as you lent money to God’s people or your “neighbor”? If you have, what should you do?
(7) What is the main message for you today and how may you apply it in your life?