EXODUS 21 lesson # 19
A WORD ABOUT OXEN
I. Greetings:
II. Introduction:
Q When you think of the “Law” or “Rules” do you think positive thoughts?
Q Are Americans positively predisposed to “Law”? Why or why not?
Q What is the average attitude to “law” in young Americans?
Years ago I had a student you did a paper for me on the Mosaic Law. He was a big kid, easy going and he had been a student several times. He worked especially hard for me and had never gotten an A. However, when he turned this paper in he looked me right in the eye and said: “I do not care if I care if I get my A this time because I have learned a tremendous amount. I have totally changed my view of God’s rules and laws. This paper has deeply helped my life. Before I thought one just obeyed the rules because we were supposed to be these people in the Old Testament had a whole different attitude.” He spoke of being liberated by what he was learning.
He found a new word to describe Law: gift.
>>>> Have someone read Psalm 19:7
Q What is being stressed here in this verse?
An = To this Psalmist, the Law, or the Instruction of the Lord was perfect and therefore restorative, and trustworthy and it therefore had this effect: it made the simple, the inexperienced, wise! It was a gift to those without wisdom.
My uncle Jim once remarked to me while I was in college that it is hard that many of the major decisions we have to make as human beings have to be made at such a young age: what we will do, who we will marry, what type of person we will become…. It is so hard to know how to make good decisions when we are so young and inexperienced not only with our own life but with life in general. My uncle was right. When young, without experience, we have to make decisions that can impact our lives for its duration, what chance is there of success?
This where the Law comes in. It is a gift to the young and inexperienced in life, to guide them so that they are not devoured by their inexperience.
>>>> Have someone read Psalm 19:8.
Q What are the two key themes of this verse?
An = First is thing about this verse is the Psalmist saw the law as joy. And secondly he say it is pure so that it can deepen our perception of reality. Our eyes, especially of our minds could see more. It gave the gift of perception.
>>>> You read Psalm 19:9
Note: Fashions change and what is politically correct changes, but the Lord desires of us is pure and will endure forever.
>>>> Have someone read Psalm 19:10.
Q How does the Psalmist view the Law in this verse?
An = The Psalmist saw in the commandments of God a great treasure. It was of utmost value. It was sweeter than honey and more precious than gold.
Note: These were not rules to make us be good, but are a great prize, a valuable gift.
III. A Word About Oxen.
A. Social Responsibility. Exodus 21:28-36.
Note: Lets look just briefly on some of the reasons the godly Israelites loved the Law. One of the things that it brought to their society was social responsibility. Let me give you a simple example. I call it a “Word About Oxen”.
This law is about what happens in the business world: the secular world if you please.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 21:28.
Q What is the principle here behind these verses?
An = There are two principles here. If a bull kills someone then the animal must be put to death. The public nuisance must be destroyed and no profit must come of its destruction. So, first there is to be some response to a tragedy and the public nuisance removed from the society.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 21:29-32
Q What is the additional principle?
An = In addition, if the bull is known to gore and the owner is knowingly negligent then he and his animal is destroyed, plus is he liable even further. Even a slave must be compensated for and the bull destroyed. The principles are clear. One must be socially responsible to one’s neighbors with property.
Q Were these laws only to cover the specific situations of goring oxen? Is this how law works today?
An = This law had much wider application beyond dealing with oxen. It could apply to a large dog, etc. In fact, this is made abundantly clear with the next few verses. They take the same principle, that we are responsible for our neighbors well being, and gives other examples, or if you please: precedents. The issue here is that people are not to be negligent when they know a potentially dangerous situation arises that could affect their neighbor’s well being. Contrary to what Cain thought: “we are our brother’s keeper”.
Note: Example: Let me give you an example of “using assets wisely: physical beauty or popularity. Do some people have beauty, popularity or handsomeness and irresponsibly use it to hurt others?
Q Can you think of other examples?
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 21:33-34.
Q The same principle is again here, but what is the added nuance?
An = One is to be careful with one’s property when it could endanger a neighbor’s property. Instead of property to human, this is property to property. Again, this law did not cover just pits. Pits or holes in the group are just an example of the principle that Israel was to be responsible to others in the way that they used their property. Public life was to be fair.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 21:35-36.
Q What is the issue here?
An = Notice that the fines are not punitive as much as restorative. Equity was the goal here.
Q In the secular, work world, how was an Israelite to love God?
An = We can do so in the manner in which we do business. How do we tell God that we are thankful for His salvation? We are socially responsible to our neighbors. What is the greatest commandment? Well, the second one is “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Note: The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. Psalm 19:8. If we take the abilities, no matter what they are, and use them with our neighbor’s rights in mind, we will be wise. To know this must be done is a gift.
Such thinking is totally different than “look out for number one”.
B. Mercy Laws: Exodus 23:4-5.
>>>> Have someone read Exodus 23:4-5.
Q Could you write a law like this and have it pass the California legislature?
An = What an interesting law if we found this on the tables of our California legislature. What would they think of the man who proposed a law that says: “If you see your worst enemy on the 210 Freeway, be sure to pull over and give him assistance”. “If you see that relative broken down on Hill Avenue who cheated you on inheritance, or that business associate who shifted you in a business deal, or that fellow who bad-mouthed you at work be sure to give his battery a jump, or his take him or her to a gas station.
Imagine that being a law!!! Israel was not just a people trying to make laws that forced people to be moderately civil, Israel had been saved. Israel had been delivered from Egypt. Israel was a different type of people, a redeemed people, they had been given gifts that were unique in their deliverance from Egypt, and so they were to live in a unique way. Being an American is great, being a Christian is even greater, more is required of great people. Mercy is required.
To be the people of God is not only to be other centered and socially responsible but to be even more. To be merciful, even to those who have hurt us.
Q Are we to be merciful so that we earn our salvation?
Q Did the Israelites how mercy to the Egyptians and so God opened the Red Sea?
An = No, they were saved first. The laws at Sinai were given after the salvation at the Red Sea. We, as Christians, are merciful not because it will get us saved and admitted into heaven, but because Jesus has washed our sins away and we are grateful. It is a sign that we are truly grateful, that we really are saved.
Q Are we merciful because we have to or because we are free?
An = Obviously, because we are free, but it goes further. When we are merciful we begin to enter, by choice, into even more freedom.
Q How does knowing this law, when a young man, help your future?
An = Those of us who are older and have experience, know the truth that blessing enemies frees us. If I interviewed a dozen mature men and women here today they would all tell you what I have said about mercy is true. Some have gained this wisdom through painful experience. God wants us to be able to access that freedom early in life by trusting His instruction.
IV. Getting Started or Getting On: Starting With a Particular Act. Exodus 22:25-27.
Q What if we do not see these laws as beautiful this morning? How does one learn to see the beauty of God’s laws?
Q What if we do not delight in the wonder of what God wants us to do: be socially responsible and merciful in our secular dealings?
Q What if we would like to change? What if we would like to grow? How does one learn to love the Law?
Note: After they have given their answers you might wish to share the following. First, let me remind you of one simple a statement that Jesus made: “If you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you shall be filled”. “Ask and you shall receive.” You might say I want to ask God for riches or success. Ask for righteousness or even the willingness to appreciate and desire willingness and you shall receive.
I have tried it! It works! Ask God to change your whole attitudes, but be careful before you pray! He will answer.
Second, one thing I am sure many of you have discovered that is found through out the Bible. If you begin and start with one act it leads to other actions. Start with one concrete situation and obey! Your choice to do that will open your heart and say to God “I give you the permission to change my whole outlook”. This one act of obedience is the symbol of my choice.
>>>> Let me read to you again from Exodus: Exodus 22:25-27.
Q What are these verses stressing?
An = Look around those whom you deal with constantly in your work environment or extended family and notice who is in the worst financial situation. Think of the one metaphorically has “only a cloak”. Be merciful, for if you are not you will meet God, and not in a way that will be a happy rendezvous.
Jesus says to those who have been given much, much more is required. If you are a Christian this morning, then merciful action in business or with a family member is not an option, you will be judged if you do not take care to do it.
Q What makes us a “super Christian”? Is it our knowledge of the Bible?
An = Maybe, being a super Christian could be tied to how you handle your enemies. It could be tied to being merciful to your employees or fellow employees at your place of business.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.” Psalm 19:9,10.