5/18/2008

The Book of the Covenant, Part 1

Exodus 20:22-22:17
I. Context
Who are the main characters in this passage? What do we know about them?

In this passage, the Lord is speaking directly to Moses (20:22). This is a "one-way" discourse given by God to
Moses; we have no record of any response by Moses during this discourse. We know that the Lord has shown
himself as might & powerful, faithful to his people, intimately connected with his people ("Lord"), patient and
gracious. We have seen Moses develop from a reluctant shepherd to an obedient mouthpiece for God. He has
shown himself faithful and trustworthy to the Lord in his responses to the trials of Egypt as well as the trials of the
wilderness of the Exodus.

When does this passage take place?

This passage is a continuation of the previous passage where the Lord gives the Ten Commandments; thus, there is
no indication of a passing of time between the events of the first half of Ch. 20 and the second half and following.
Verse 1 of Chapter 19 tells us that the israelites arrived at Sinai exactly three months after leaving Egypt, so this
passage is taking place around the end of May/beginning of June.

Where does this passage take place?

As this passage is a continuation of the Lord's giving of the law to Moses, the events are still located at Mt. Sinai.

What is going on? (Summary of Events)

After giving the Ten Commandments, the Lord begins to expound upon them with various examples and
situational explanations. The first section (20:22-26) focus on the relationship between the Lord and his people;
specifically, how they are to revere the Lord and how they are to worship him. The next section (21:1-11)
expound upon how one was to treat slaves/servants. Then the Lord addresses injury between two people,
including physical injury, kidnapping, cursing one's parents, property loss (not theft), and injury by and to one's
animals. (21:12-36). Chapter 22 addressed theft, property damage, loss of property while under the supervision of
another, and pre-marital sex (22:1-17)

II. Interpretation
What principles are illustrated in this passage? What would you consider the theme of this passage?

What do we learn of God's character based upon the types and nature of these laws? Does this passage point us toward or
connect with Christ? If so, how?

Why was the law important? What purpose(s) did it serve? How does this system of "righteousness" (right-standing with
God) differ from the "righteousness by faith" of the New Testament?

If we live under grace, is the law still relevant to us today? What value is there for us in studying these (and more to
come) laws? How are Moses & Jesus similar/different in their roles with the law?

III. Application
As Christians, we are justified (delcared righteous) because of what Christ did for us in taking our place as the recipient of
judgement for our sins. The Bible tells us that all of us have sinned--fallen short of perfection--(Romans 3:23). The law
cannot save us, because none of us can keep it perfectly. Thus, the Law's greatest value is to make us aware of the fact
that we are sinful and unable to save ourselves.
Just as the Lord prescribed in many of the specific cases given in this passage, the penalty for sin is death--physical death
here in Exodus, but extended to spiritual death in Romans 6:23.
Christ died in our place so that God could be shown just in his dealing with sin. Christ's victory over death and his
resurrection offers hope to those who trust in his payment for their sin and receive, by exchange, his righteousness in
place of their unrighteous sin. Faith is believing this to be true and trusting in it for one's eternal security.

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