Exodus 21-23   Many of these laws or ordinances are specific judgements for specific circumstances.  Perhaps these were the actual disputes that came before Moses and his appointed judges.  The Lord provided the consequences that were appropriate to each situation.  The ordinances address such things as personal injuries; actions towards others; property rights; etc.  They tell when and what kinds of restitution should be made in specific situations. 

There are also several reminders included in these laws about worshipping or even naming any false god. "He who sacrifices to any god, other than the Lord alone, shall be utterly destroyed." (22:20)  And, "Now concerning everything which I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth." (23:13)

There are several situations where the Lord says that He, Himself will take the necessary action.. 22:22-24 "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. If you afflict him at all, and if he does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; and my anger will be kindled and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless."  The second situation involves taking a neighbor's cloak as a pledge but not returning it so he can have cover as he sleeps.. " And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious." ( 22:26-27)

In chapter 23:10 there is a change in focus, from specific judgements to laws regarding the sabbath and the land.  Then beginning in verse 14 the Lord gives His directions for the national feasts:  The feast of Unleavened Bread; The feast of the Harvest; and the Feast of the Ingathering.  Three times a year all the men would be required to travel to the place of the Lord's choosing to celebrate these important feasts. 

The final section of this chapter deals with the promise of the Lord's direction, protection, and provision as they journeyed  to the promised land. The Lord promised an angel to "guard you along the way and to bring you into the place I have prepared." (v20).  He promised that if they obeyed that  "then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries" (v22).  And He promised, that if they would serve Him.. "He will bless your bread and your water and I will remove sickness from your midst." (v25)  God shared His plan for taking the promised land.. He would drive out the wicked nations; He would fix their boundaries;  He would drive out the inhabitants "little by little" so that the land would not be desolate or overtaken by wild animals. 

Father, I am thankful that You understand every situation that we find ourselves in.. and You have promised to be with us and to hear us when we cry out to You.  We thank You for the promises that we have in Christ Jesus.. as Peter wrote, " For.. He has granted us His precious and magnificent promises in order that by them you might become partakers of the divine nature.. " ( II Peter 1:4) We ask that You would guide us by Your Holy Spirit,  surround us with Your love and truth, and bless us with Your Presence...   Let the grace and peace found in the knowledge of  God and of Jesus Christ our Lord be multiplied in us today... we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.