5 Smooth Stones, Yahweh's Justice System--Exodus 22

Exodus 22

We are walking in today:  5 Smooth Stones, Yahweh's Justice System--Exodus 22

Witness assembly throughout the Bible:  H6595 qahal assembly, company, congregation, convocation , or evil counsel, war or invasion, religious purposes, company (of returning exiles)

Genesis 49:5-7; Exodus 12:5-6, 16:3; Leviticus 4:13-14, 8:4, 23:34-36; Numbers 8:9, 10:2-3, 20:6, 20:8, 29:35; Deuteronomy 5:22, 9:10, 10:4, 16:8, 18:15-18; Judges 20:2; 1 Samuel 17:47; 2 Kings 10:20; Jeremiah 15:7, 50:9; Ezekiel 13:9; Joel 1:14, 2:15; Zephaniah 3:18; Psalm 89:7, 107:32, 111:1; Proverbs 5:14; Acts 19:32, 19:39; Hebrews 12:23-25

Here we have Yahweh's law code for the children of Israel.  First we have how the crime of thief is to be handled.  If the thief is caught in the night where it was not easy to determine what was going on, the death of the thief was allowed.  The theft happening in the daylight would afford a better understanding of what is going on and their life was not to be taken.  The person taking the items of value were to repay double.  If they were not able to pay double they could be sold into slavery and the money then used to replace the loss.   Imprisonment wasn't a part of Yahweh's justice plan.  The practice of imprisonment was common among the people surrounding the children of Israel or from those who where captured in war.  This chapter gives how to handle the loss of an animal, crops or items trusted to a neighbor.  The if this than that gives a clear line to the consequences from our actions.  Other laws of ancient peoples were varied and did not place as much emphasis of the protection of life as the instructions of Yahweh.  These laws stemmed from His compassion and shows the value of men over animals, or crops.  The consciousness of the person committing the crime--no matter their intent or circumstances, were to be upheld consistently.  The command that a witch was not to be suffered to live--that they would not proceed in the pagan practices of seeking those gods to do their bidding.  Another common practice of the other cultures was people having sex with animals was also prohibited.  The children of Israel were directed over and over to not do the things that the pagen people were doing, no should they mix in those practices with the instructions of Yahweh.  He knew that like many of us they would look for a loop hole.  Yes I am doing a pagan practice, but God knows my heart!  They are told over and over to not acknowledge, offer sacrifices to nor worship the pagan gods.  Do not allow anyone to entice you to go and worship pagan gods.  They were brought out of Egypt and had their own pagan customs that He was stripping from them.  Look at how the golden calf was set up when they thought Moses was on the mountain too long for time with Yahweh.  Not only was an idol set up but they set up a feast day and began to celebrate in error who delivered them out.

The provisions for the widows and orphans that they be not mistreated for when they cry our to Yahweh--He will hear and judge the situation.  Where is your concern for those without their father or having a deceased husband? For those those who give their cloak as collateral, you are not to keep it over night, for where is your compassion for them being warm at night?  The children of Israel were not to charge interest to there Israelite brothers and sisters.  Their hands were not to be shut against each other who is in need.  For Yahweh provides for them all but in the community they were not to allow their brother or sister to suffer when they could assist them.  This community mindset is often foreign to us now a days.  When many of us do not know our neighbors, nor are we able to go next door to borrow a cup of sugar.  This individual mindset is in contrast to the community mindset--the drive for individual success at the detriment of the community is not any part of the original intent for Yahweh's people operating in His government here on the earth.  To hear this again click here.