We now come to a part of the Law of Moses that addresses social justice issues in community life. These laws reveal God’s kindness, His concern for justice, and His desire to protect the weak and vulnerable. Jesus will later take those standards even higher. This lesson closes with a look at some very practical implications for
After the Lord gives the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, we come to a part of the Bible that many find confusing, boring, irrelevant, or even disturbing: the details of the Mosaic Law. Since God’s people no longer need to follow these commands, why should we bother reading this part of Scripture? We begin by answering that
Introduction to the Law of Moses (Exodus 20:18-21:27) View Lesson
Introduction to the Law of Moses (Exodus 20:18-21:27) View Lesson
The Ten Commandments are well-known by most serious Christians. But are Christians required to follow them today? Are we free from the Law of Moses (which includes the Ten Commandments)? If we are required to follow the Ten Commandments, are we required to follow the fourth commandment, to keep the Sabbath? We seek to answer
In the midst of thunder, lightning and a smoking mountain, the Lord proclaims the 10 Commandments to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This lesson focuses on the second commandment, which prohibits idolatry. Idolatry was to become a huge problem for the Israelites throughout most of Old Testament history. In the New Testament we see it
The Lord fulfills a promise He had made to Moses at the burning bush, leading the Israelites back to Mount Sinai. There, the Lord promises to make His people "a royal priesthood and a holy nation"if they obey His voice. Then He descends on the mountain in terrifying fire and smoke, about to give the Ten
While Moses serves as the sole judge for disputes in Israel, the people must wait all day for their turn for justice. His father-in-law, Jethro, gives some unsolicited advice: appoint righteous men to judge the routine cases. In this lesson we explore often-neglected principles related to taking advice. We also consider how passages like this
Facing thirst, the Israelites complain and test the Lord. Moses is told to take his rod and strike a rock, from which water flows abundantly. We consider the significance of what Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 10: "that rock was Christ." Next, we review the battle against the Amalekites. Moses was told to maintain
Water from a Rock and Victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17) View Lesson
Water from a Rock and Victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17) View Lesson
After the people complain of hunger, God gives manna, a daily bread from heaven. The Lord also gives two commands related to collecting the manna; the Israelites disobey both. There is much for us to learn from in this story: lessons about God's nature and provision, His expectation and desire that we love, obey and
Shortly after being delivered by God through the Red Sea, the Israelites complain when they face their first challenge in the Wilderness: no water to drink. Moses is told to cast a piece of wood into bitter (undrinkable) water, which miraculously becomes sweet. We consider two lessons from this encounter: first, the danger of complaining
First Steps in the Wilderness and a Water Crisis (Exodus 15) View Lesson
First Steps in the Wilderness and a Water Crisis (Exodus 15) View Lesson
The dramatic escape from Egypt takes the Jews by an unusual route: through the midst of the Red Sea. After the Lord divides the sea, the Israelites walk through on dry ground, with a wall of water on each side. The Egyptian army pursues and is drowned when the sea returns. In this lesson we