Day 037- The Bible Recap

God was gracious to provide His people with rules to deter sin/crimes and also to provide restitution to those who had been victimized... most of the time they were restored more than double.

While all the laws were important a couple stood out to me. Verse 22:28 says, "You shall not revile (criticize/insult angrily) God, nor curse a ruler of your people". This would prove to be very difficult for the Israelites to keep in the days ahead. Also, God asked them to reflect back to their days of being sojourners in a foreign land and then use their past experiences as a tool for future compassion towards other sojourners. 23:9 It is such a priceless blessing when you find someone who has gone through something similar to you and they come along side you for support!

I believe the feasts were established for God's people to remember and reflect on His goodness... it's so easy for our minds to get distracted in the busyness of our lives and before we know it we haven't taken time to thank Him for His goodness!

The end of chapter 23 stressed the importance of not falling into the trap of worshipping gods in the lands they will be travelling through. This is another one that will prove to be an off and on battle for the Israelites. And God will continue to remind them again and again. God promised to provide all their needs including His protection. Their only requirement... serve and follow Him.

Only Moses was allowed to come near the Lord. 24:2 I believe this was God protecting the others... Moses understood the seriousness of God's presence.

God confirmed His covenant with His people in chapter 24. Moses relayed God's words, they promised to obey and there was a ritual with blood symbolizing cleansing.

I know these laws can become laborious to read and even difficult to understand but hang in there... it will be well worth it! It is a definite reminder that we can never live up to all these rules and that the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus changed EVERYTHING!

~Ann Mays