2.17.25 ~ Focus on Things Above

Good morning!

In our previous studies we learned about the soaring spiritual experience , where God delivered us out of Egypt and brought us to Himself at Mt. Sinai (Ex. 19:3-5), where He gave us His divine instructions/Torah to all of mankind; the greatest manifestation of God in history, spoken from His Own mouth (Deut. 4:32-39). What's the follow up encore to that amazing fire and light show (Ex. 20:18-26)? Well, my traveling friends, we are still at Sinai. We haven't processed this revelation completely, but now it's time for responsibility...and these are the judgments/v'elle mishpatim (Ex. 21:1). In this section there are approximately 53 judgments on how to deal with one another in life's situations; 20 positive and 33 negative.

They directly address our human condition. They are the bedrock of society. Righting wrongs, how to handle possessions damaged purposely or inadvertently, someone suffering loss, accidental death, judicial process, to name a few...these laws are to facilitate a healthy society. These right rulings/mishpatim are what ground the Sinai experience on earth.

If you have heard his voice, what are you going to do about it? This experiential detail is worth the attention. Some, in our 21st century world, criticize the life dedicated to keeping God's commandments/mitzvot as though it's a life of bondage and legalistic living (1 Jn. 5:3; Ex. 20:6; Deut. 7:9; 10:12,13; Dan. 9:4; Jn. 14:15, 21-23; 15:10; 2 Jn. 1:6; etc.).

The 10 Devarim, aka 10 commandments, are potently powerful, but without the commentary in the judgments/mishpatim, statutes and commandments, interpretation is denominationally culturized at best. These judgments provide a buffet for each 'food category' in our spiritual lives. For those of you who are hungry (Matt. 5:6), we will have more on this spiritual buffet on tonight's zoom call. Mishpatim/right rulings (Ex. 21-24), 'What makes a good marriage" or "You mean the way I treat others is the way I treat you"?

It's through these instructions that we get the fuller revelation on how to be lights to the world. It's true, we can use the 'spiritual lingo' of our culture, but without the behavior to match those words, the person isn't true to themselves or to the God they align themselves with (Jm. 2:14-26) and can't qualify to be a Kingdom of Priests, a special treasure, and a holy nation (Ex. 19:6-8; 1 Pet. 2:5,9; Isa. 61:1-11).

Ironically, the continuation of the revelation at Mt. Sinai begins with the purchasing of a Hebrew slave/eved ivri (Ex. 21:2ff). Why start here? And how does that apply to me in the 21st century? I'm glad you asked :-)! First, it's given to us in order to contrast the difference between the way the Lord/YHVH does things and the way Egypt, historically and currently. Secondly, the commandment is saturated with compassion; a necessary attribute to keeping the rest of the judgments/mishpatim and the essence to a good marriage.

Unlike our modern understanding of abusive slavery, biblical slavery was filled with compassion. The slave owner would need to provide for every need of the individual, bless that individual, treat them as good or better than themselves, and after six years send them out better than they came in. This, BTW, is NOT spiritual socialism. Huh?

A slave was either purchased as a result of extreme poverty, debt that they accrued, and/or restitution for something they stole.  The selling into slavery was not punishment, but an opportunity, that God provided for the individual to look deeper into their own life...more on this tonight and how it connects to the slave mentality in marriage (1 Cor. 6:19; Rom. 12:1; Jn. 12:26; 13:15,16; Gal. 1:10; Tit. 1:1; Jam. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; etc.).Through the slave process they will understand their dilemma and how to fix it through the provisional compassion of their master. It's a 24/7 compassion-filled, self-help workshop designed to liberate and set a person on a joy-filled, independent life where they can reciprocate the compassion into the lives of others (2 Cor. 1:4).

At the most basic level it takes us all back to the Garden of Eden, where the first man and his honey bunny stole something that didn't belong to them (Gen. 3:1-7). Hence, since then men have either been slaves to their own godlike mindsets or, as the Apostle Paul says, a liberated bondslave to Jesus Christ/Messiah Yeshua (Rom. 1:1; 12:1-2; 6:16-19)

The 10 Words take form in this world through every transaction, every opportunity that we have with our fellow man. They are revealed through daily interactions. Every action that lines up with God's Word is a faith filled (Rom. 10:17), righteous action that prepares your wedding garment (Rev. 19:7,8; cp. Matt. 22:11-13) and it is the means by which heaven is manifest on earth (Matt. 6:10).

It has been said by the sages that the 10 words were given at Mt. Sinai in the morning and the fine print instructions were given at night? Why? The general guidelines are given to help us walk in the light  of the day (Isa. 2:5; 1 Jn. 1:7; 1 Thess. 5:1-6; Rev. 21:24; etc.) and specific details on how to live and shine in the darkness (Psa. 119:105; Eph. 5:13; Psa. 18:28; Job 29:3).

Is it any wonder that God gave the Priests the commandment to keep the Menorah burning day and night (Lev. 24:2-4), a picture of being filled with the 7 Spirits (Isa. 11:1-3; Rev. 1:20; 4:5,6; 5:6,7; Eph. 5:16-18; etc.), the commandments of God (Prov. 6:23), so that we can be lights to the world (Matt. 5:13-16)!?

The world is experiencing many difficulties and for too many, the future seems very dark (in spite of our new governmental administration). It's a good time to focus our attention on things above (Col. 3:1-3), and live out what has been brought down to us, so that those who are around us can have light for their journey.

Can I or would I say, as Israel did after hearing the "and these are the judgments/mishpatim...(Ex. 21:1-24:1), "whatever you say, we will do even if we don't fully understand" (Ex. 24:3,7)? For our own benefit and that of a healthy society, I'd have to say yes. How about you?

See you on tonight's zoom call for a wedding feast buffet :-)

Passover's coming!

Shalom!

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