Week 42, Day 4: So serve the Lord

Today’s Reading:  Exodus 23:1-33

Some thoughts from the reading…

After giving several more commands, God emphasizes how He will bless Israel for serving Him faithfully.  In verses 24-31 He tells them that He will bless them with bread and water, remove their sickness, no miscarriage or barrenness, give them length of life, and work against their enemies.  All these things would be done if they would serve Him. 

Some look at the number of commands given in the law of Moses and feel overwhelmed by how many are given.  But I want to point out that we have here a time where God laid out detailed information to guide them in their lives.  I hear people sometimes say today, “I wish the Bible just said don’t do that.”  Sometimes I think we want to be told the “thou shalt nots” so that there is no doubt about something.  But in many ways it all comes down to our attitude.  Israel was not able to keep the law perfectly.  Today many people ignore the commands God has given because they view the absence of “thou shalt nots” as a license to do whatever they want.  If we have the right kind of attitude today we will honor the commands of God, search out and discern between good and evil in all matters, and serve God with our all.  God has always rewarded those who serve Him faithfully. 

Question:  Which commands have you seen so far in the law of Moses that you think man would not have commanded?  For example; I wonder would man have thought to give a command against oppressing strangers (23:9).