Reflection

Exodus 23

The details of the law are still flowing from God to Moses. The law could be considered a burden for some but also there is freedom in the law. The law helps to point to Christ as our redeemer and conqueror. Christ was the only one who lived perfectly and was not condemned by the law.

God tells Moses that one must not give false testimony to condemn someone. One must be truthful and honest, even if it is someone we hate. The picture of God being just is seen in these verses. He tells them not to oppress the sojourner or one who travels because they were once like that. 

God established not only the laws but a chance for Israel to remember what God has done for them. Why do you think that it was important for Israel to be reminded of what God did for them in Egypt? God also wanted Israel to honor the Sabbath. Why was it important for them to remember the Sabbath? They were not to work on that day and focus on the Lord and to rest. It also gave the animals a rest and the servants a rest. We may not have to follow the law like this because we do not honor the Sabbath like Israel does. It is important for us to rest in the Lord. For the Jews this is Saturday for us we could say it is Sunday, but either way, do you have a day that you just stop and rest in God? Stop with the noise of life and just rest in the Lord.

The Promise of the Land

This chapter ends with God promising Moses that Israel will inherit the land and he will drive away those that possess it. He will have them be confused, he will send hornets before them, he will wipe them out. Israel just needs to be obedient to God. It seems like a simple request, but yet it is so hard. We can have God’s plan revealed to us, we can see what his future for us entails but we can easily blow just like Israel did in the wilderness. We can give into those idols that are around us from the surrounding countries. We lose our focus. God does drive out our enemies for us but sometimes we run to our enemies instead. Do you trust the promises of God? I feel like Israel took for granted everything God did and will do for them, but soon I reflect in my own life and I see that I take for granted something that cost God more than some plagues in Egypt. It was his Son, Jesus on the cross for us. I can take salvation for granted all the time. Do you? This is something that we need to be reminded of and that is why we have communion. Don’t wait for communion, say thanks everyday.