The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, September 20, 2022
The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Tuesday, September 20,2022
TOPIC: RESPECTING HUMANITY
Exodus 22:16-31
16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins. 18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. 19 Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. 20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed. 21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
22 Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. 23 If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless. 25 If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. 26 If thou at all take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down:
27 For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious. 28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people. 29 Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. 30 Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me. 31 And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
The Daily Fountain Devotional Tuesday, September 20, 2022
INTRODUCTION TEXT
These series of miscellaneous laws in today's text reveal God's concern for humanity and His desire that people be not exploited. These include virgins (w. 16-17; see Deut. 22:23-24), foreigners in the land (v.21), widows (w. 22-24), and the poor (w. 25-27). God promises to hear the cries of those who are wronged and defend the poor and oppressed. We must take care of the oppressed and vulnerable in the society especially in the church. This is what James calls true religion (James 1:27).
On the other hand, witches and wizards were not permitted to live • because they operated with the demonic powers that operated in the godless religions of the nations around Israel. (See Lev. 19:31; 20:27 & Deut 18:9-12). Modern occult practices are an invitation for Satan to destroy lives. These are abhorred by God and have severe consequences. Furthermore, we are to respect rulers and refrain from cursing them, even as we would refrain from cursing God. According to Romans 13, rulers are ordained by God. If we curse a leader, we are in danger of cursing the God who established the authority of human government. Finally, we have to give our hearts to obeying the law of God.
Prayer: O Lord, grant me the zeal to obey your laws at all times in Jesus' name, Amen.