Exodus 22

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Further Laws for the Protection and Regulation of Israelite Society

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. The Mosaic Law was given for the protection and regulation of society. 1) Under the Law, full restitution was required. 2) Under the Law, a dowry was required. 3) Under the Law, the death penalty was required. 4) Under the Law, kindness was required. 5) Under the Law, giving to the Lord was required.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Don’t delay your giving.

QUESTIONS

  1. Which laws were included in the Mosaic Law?

  2. How can these laws be subdivided?

  3. How was a thief to repay his wrong?

  4. Was if justified for an Israelite to kill a thief in self defense?

  5. How does this chapter show us how seriously God disapproves of pre-marital sex?

  6. Are Christians required to give to the Lord?

ANSWERS

  1. The Mosaic Law included all the laws given to the Children of Israel, not only the Ten Commandments.

  2. Moral laws, civil laws, and ceremonial laws

  3. He had to pay the owner five oxen for one stolen ox, and 4 sheep for one stolen sheep. If the stolen animal was found alive and well, the thief only had to pay double. If a thief could not make restitution he had to sell himself into slavery until the debt was paid.

  4. If a thief was killed at night, it was considered self defense, because the owner was not aware of the intruder’s motive. But if the thief was killed during the day, it was not considered justified homicide and the owner might have to flee to the nearest City of Refuge from the revenge of the thief’s nearest relative.

  5. In verses 16-17, in the case of consensual sex between an unmarried young man and woman, the man had to pay the required dowry and marry the woman, and under the Law he could never divorce her

  6. Since we are not under the Law, giving to the Lord is not a requirement. But we should certainly be determined to give to the Lord, in view of what the Lord has done for us.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. We can draw practical biblical principles from these detailed laws. From this lesson: What do you do if you borrow something and it breaks or gets lost or damaged in some way? You make full restitution. Can you give an example of this principle from your life?

  2. “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Exodus 22:21. Can you see which biblical principle could be drawn from this law?

CHALLENGE

  1. The Children of Israel were expected to give to the Lord regularly and proportionately. What about you?

KEY VERSES

  • “And if a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it becomes injured or dies… he shall surely make it good.” Exodus 22:14

  • “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.” Exodus 22:22

  • “You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices.” Exodus 22:29

Exodus, Old Testament, TalksRon ReidEXODUS 22