The Lord God continued to give the children of Israel specific laws that clarified the meaning behind the ten commandments. Now, He would explain how they were to behave morally towards each other.
“If a man entices a virgin who is not betrothed, and lies with her, he shall surely pay the bride-price for her to be his wife. If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins. (Exodus 22:16-17)
Remember, God intended for sexual relationships to only be between one man and one woman who are married. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25) And Christ Jesus confirmed it when He said, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-9)
Because the Lord God sees sexual relationships as consummation of a marriage covenant, the penalty for committing this sin is very great, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:27) That's why sexual sin is such an abomination to God, and if we refuse to repent of these sins, Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6:9-10)
The Lord God made it the man's responsibility to make restitution for committing this sin, either he married the woman or pay the woman's father the bride-price, even if he didn't marry her. This is exactly what happened with Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. (Genesis 34:2) Later, Shechem came to Jacob and his sons and asked, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.” (Genesis 34:11-12)
Just as fornicating and committing adultery are abominations to God, so is having a sexual relationship with an animal, so much so that He said, “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 22:19) That should be obvious, but obviously not, for the Lord God to include it in His laws. No more explanation should be necessary. We are to "...have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) Not have sex with them!
Remember, God intended for sexual relationships to only be between one man and one woman who are married. Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. (Genesis 2:24-25) And Christ Jesus confirmed it when He said, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:4-6; Mark 10:5-9)
Because the Lord God sees sexual relationships as consummation of a marriage covenant, the penalty for committing this sin is very great, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. (Romans 1:27) That's why sexual sin is such an abomination to God, and if we refuse to repent of these sins, Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. (I Corinthians 6:9-10)
The Lord God made it the man's responsibility to make restitution for committing this sin, either he married the woman or pay the woman's father the bride-price, even if he didn't marry her. This is exactly what happened with Dinah, Jacob's daughter by Leah, when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her and lay with her, and violated her. (Genesis 34:2) Later, Shechem came to Jacob and his sons and asked, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.” (Genesis 34:11-12)
Just as fornicating and committing adultery are abominations to God, so is having a sexual relationship with an animal, so much so that He said, “Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 22:19) That should be obvious, but obviously not, for the Lord God to include it in His laws. No more explanation should be necessary. We are to "...have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:28) Not have sex with them!
“You shall not permit a sorceress to live. (Exodus 22:18) A sorcerer or sorceress is a person who practices sorcery, the use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits especially for divining; the use of magic, especially black magic. Remember, when Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh to ask him to let the children of Israel go, the Lord God instructed them to throw down Moses rod so that it would turn into a serpent. But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. (Exodus 7:11-12)
Many times, these sorcerers and mediums and magicians and card readers, etc. appear to have the same power as God, but they are using power given to them by Satan and his angels. The Lord God will give laws regarding how to or not to deal with these types of people, but for now, we can learn from the example of Moses' rod how He feels about their practices; But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:12)
“He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed. (Exodus 22:20) We are not to put any other gods before the One True Living God, the Father and Creator of us all! Other gods aren't just people, but they can be things. The Lord God was very clear in the ten commandments, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,..." (Exodus 20:4-5) There is only one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6)
Many times, these sorcerers and mediums and magicians and card readers, etc. appear to have the same power as God, but they are using power given to them by Satan and his angels. The Lord God will give laws regarding how to or not to deal with these types of people, but for now, we can learn from the example of Moses' rod how He feels about their practices; But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods. (Exodus 7:12)
“He who sacrifices to any god, except to the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed. (Exodus 22:20) We are not to put any other gods before the One True Living God, the Father and Creator of us all! Other gods aren't just people, but they can be things. The Lord God was very clear in the ten commandments, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,..." (Exodus 20:4-5) There is only one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:6)
“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. (Exodus 22:22-24) God is very concerned with widows and orphans because they were the most helpless of people at that time, and we should be also. The Apostle James explained what religion really is; Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
“If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious. (Exodus 22:25-27) Yet again, pretty self explanatory! If someone is poor and needs to borrow, don't add an additional burden to them by charging them more than they borrow. As long as they are able to repay what we lent them, that should suffice us. And if we can help someone without taking the last of what they have as payment, we should do so. The Lord God will bless us in return.
“You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. (Exodus 22:28) This is very applicable for today, as much as people speak against and disrespect those in positions of authority. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. (Romans 13:1-4) All leaders aren't good, but all are to be respected; and if we do good, we should not have any issues with them, but we have to be sure we are doing good.
“You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me. Likewise you shall do with your oxen and your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days; on the eighth day you shall give it to Me. (Exodus 22:29-30) Again, we are to give our firstfruits and tithes to God. From the beginning, Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering,... (Genesis 4:4) Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)
“And you shall be holy men to Me: you shall not eat meat torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs. (Exodus 22:31) The Lord God will give more detail as to why animals should not be eaten unless prepared a certain way in a future study about the laws. The main reason for this is the issue of the blood being removed from the animal. Remember, the Lord God instructed Noah when He delivered him and his family and the animals from the flood and let them out of the ark, "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you. I have given you all things, even as the green herbs. But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood." (Genesis 9:3-4) We have to be very careful that all blood is removed from an animal before we eat it's meat.
“You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. You shall not show partiality to a poor man in his dispute. (Exodus 23:1-3)
“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it. (Exodus 23:4-5)
“You shall not pervert the judgment of your poor in his dispute. Keep yourself far from a false matter; do not kill the innocent and righteous. For I will not justify the wicked. And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:6-8)
God hates lying and bearing false witness against our neighbor. These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19) We are always to tell the truth or say nothing at all! Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)
God hates lying and bearing false witness against our neighbor. These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren. (Proverbs 6:16-19) We are always to tell the truth or say nothing at all! Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (Romans 12:17-18)
“You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 22:21) “Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Exodus 23:9) Finally, in other words, "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31)
Regarding how we are to treat God and each other, Christ Jesus summarized it best when He said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14-15)
Regarding how we are to treat God and each other, Christ Jesus summarized it best when He said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40) For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! (Galatians 5:14-15)
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