Property Rights, Sabbaths and feasts and governing Religious life are the laws we will take a look at today. As you read today, think about why the laws were written for that time. Do you think they found freedom in the laws? Or did they make them feel restricted and bound? Would it have been easy to keep these laws? Write down the thoughts you have as you read the laws. When we get into the New Testament in a few months it will be interesting to go back and see these thoughts.
Exodus 22
- Verses 1-4 Theft
- Verses 5-6 Crop Protection
- Verses 7-15 Personal Property
- Verses 16-17 Seduction
- Verses 18-20 Capital Offenses
- Verses 21-27 Protection of the Vulnerable
- Verses 28-31 Respect for God
Exodus 23
- Verses 1-9 Honesty and Justice
- Verses 10-19 Sabbaths and Festivals
- Verses 20-33 Preview of Conquest (take note of our part and the Lord’s part in this section)
Exodus 24
- Verses 1-18 Covenant Ceremony:
- Write out verse 3
- Write out verse 11
- What is happening in verses 13-18?
We want to learn a bit about why the Law was given before we move on.
- To provide a standard of righteousness:
- Write out Deuteronomy 4:2, 8
- It was added to the Abrahamic Covenant – as an insertion, not a deletion – because of transgression.
- Write out Galatians 3:17-18
- It was a schoolmaster:
- Write out Galatians 3:19-24
- To expose and identify sin:
- Write out Romans 5:20
- Write out Romans 3:20
- Write out Romans 7:7
- To reveal the holiness and power of God
- Write out Deuteronomy 4:32-36
- As a symbol of presence and holiness of God in cloud and fire:
- Write out Exodus 19:9, 18
- Write out Exodus 24:17
How does the Law affect us?
- Write out Romans 8:3-4
- The keeping of the “rules” of the law is not obligatory to salvation, but the spontaneous result of salvation.
As you close out today, spend some time in silence before the Lord then spend a few minutes waiting on Him to show you if there is any place in your life where you have tried to follow the Law (become legalistic) for assurance of faith instead of trusting in Him. Allow Him to convict your heart and direct you in places where He would like you to grow. If you need pray Psalm 51 over your life, confessing and repenting of any sin. you need to.
Connect With the Word 
As I read, my mind keeps going to the importance of the law in our lives today. We are not bound by the law, but the law is a tutor to show us that we are not perfect. We aim to keep these laws, but it is simply impossible to keep every law and be perfect, at least on this side of eternity. It is good for us to understand the law becasue it shows us how to love others well, and how others will know we are set apart for Christ. The law isn’t something to be feared or ignored – but instead honored and reverenced.
Also, anyone who tries to add rules to, or take away things from the law itself are not from the Lord. They are trying to keep you bound in legalism, or draw you away from Christ in selfish living. Always remember to go to the Word directly when you hear something that may not sound right. The more you read the Word and talk to God, the more you will sense when something is off.
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