After delivering His chosen people out of Egyptian bondage (Exodus 12:29-51), God desired His people to separate themselves from other nations in their worship and conduct. In order to guide His people, God gave Moses the Law which he communicated to the people of Israel. The Law was comprised of three parts: The Ten Commandments (20:1-21), civil/religious ordinances (20:22-24:11), and ceremonial regulations (24:12-31:18). Obedience to these regulations and laws would help Israel become a “special treasure…a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6). In this passage, Moses continues giving civil and religious ordinances. The first nine verses of Exodus 23 provide a list of several miscellaneous laws such as abstaining from giving false testimony (23:1, 7), avoiding the influence of evil crowds (23:2), abstaining from favoritism (23:3), returning lost property (23:4), showing kindness to animals (23:5), allowing the poor to experience justice (23:6), accepting a bribe (23:8), and not oppressing strangers (23:9).
Following this list of various laws, God gives the people the law of Sabbaths (23:10-13) and instructions for the three annual feasts (23:14-19). The Sabbatical year was each seventh year. The Israelites were to sow and harvest the land for six years and let the land rest on the seventh year (23:10-11a). During the seventh year, the poor were allowed to eat of the fields and the leftovers from the poor were to be given to the animals (23:11b). The law of the Sabbath day was also given and it commanded the Israelites to work for six days and rest on the seventh (23:12). In the midst of this law, God reminded the people that they were not to mention the names of false gods (23:13). God gave a list of the three feasts that the nation of Israel was to celebrate: Feast of Unleavened Bread, an expression of thankfulness for Israel’s exodus from Egypt (23:14-15); Feast of Harvest (also known as Feast of Weeks or Firstfruits), an offering of the firstfruits to the Lord (23:16a); and the Feast of Ingathering (also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths), a giving of thanks for the final harvest of the year (23:16b).
After these laws were given God promised to send an Angel, most likely the pre-incarnate Christ, to protect and guide the people on their journey into the land of Canaan (23:20). Obedience to His voice would result in blessing and a safe arrival into the Promised Land (23:21-23). Although they would soon encounter pagan nations, they were not to bow down to any other gods or serve them (23:24). Continuance in worship of God would bring blessings such as provision of food/water (23:25a), good health (23:25b-26), and defeat of their enemies (23:27-31). When an enemy nation was defeated God commanded them not to make a “…covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you” (23:32-33).
The children of Israel had now received the Ten Commandments (20:1-21) and the civil/religious ordinances (20:22-24:11) from God and they would determine whether or not they would agree to it. After hearing the entire Law given by God through His servant, Moses, the people of Israel agreed to obey (24:1-3). Moses then wrote down all of the Law (24:4a), built an altar where sacrifices were offered(24:4b-6), and read the Law to the people (24:7a). The people agreed to follow the Law and the covenant was confirmed between God and Israel (24:8-11).
Dear God, may my life be characterized by obedience to Your words.
