Ex. 21-23 Good instruction that takes time to live out

Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.

Do they devote themselves or do other people devote them to...death?

You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22^(P) You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23If you do mistreat them, and they^(Q) cry out to me, I will surely^(R) hear their cry, 24and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and^(S) your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

God is a protective and vengeful God. I feel protected as a young one and as one without a father.

If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he^(V) cries to me, I will hear, for I am^(W) compassionate.

God cares about us being mistreated.

You shall not revile God,

I am to be treated with respect, I am God.

4^(AH) "If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. 5If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.

Love your enemy and care for his goods.

I see God saying here Live holy lives. Be good, love all, take care of the earth and all therein. Love and serve no other Gods. BE faithful, love justice and live it out. I will care for those who need me. The lowly, poor, fatherless, oppressed, and i will see justice done not any slighting of favor because a man is rich or poor. Be holy for I am holy. Care about your health because I do. Gos is giving the Jews a lot of really good advice and encouragement on how to live a good rich nourishing life.

Obey those sent to help you and have authority over you. The carry my authority. Respect them and follow them.

I think this is the best picture of Christian maturity that I have ever seen. God has done this in my life. I will be dealing with a certain thing but God will take it away little by little. I don't get my freedom from sin all at once but little by little does God free me from my sin and pain that binds me.

Do what I say and I will fight your enemies and things will go well wit you. i will bless you and keep you healthy.