Continuing a plan to get through the entire Bible in a year, follow as I journal through the reading. I have chosen a straightforward approach that begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation. This will not be an in-depth study or a comprehensive commentary. There are plenty of sources for such material. This is stage one Bible reading, taking the text at face value and sharing impressions.
Today’s reading comes from the book of Exodus, chapters 22 through 24, where Israel receives further laws from God while encamped at Mount Sinai. Some impressions from the text:
- Chapter 22 and most of 23 list various statutes the people were to follow during their wandering in the wilderness. As with the previously listed laws regarding slavery, some of these statutes seem strange in a modern context.
- Regarding the peoples whom God would conquer in order to give the Promised Land to the Israelites, the Lord says, “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.” God warns Israel against making a covenant with these pagan nations. The goal is not peaceful coexistence. “You shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars [to false gods] in pieces.”
- When you know what happens immediately following chapter 24, you may cringe as the people of Israel affirm their covenant with God. “And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.'” This just prior to their asking Aaron to forge them a golden calf to worship. It’s like a wedding day followed immediately by adultery.
Return soon as we continue our year-long journey through the text of the Bible.
Catch up on the previous entries:
Archived Genesis posts (scroll down in link).
Moses gets a mission from God. – Exodus 1-3
Believer and unbeliever, each defy God’s commandments. – Exodus 4-6
God makes his name known by plaguing Egypt.– Exodus 7-9
The final plagues, and God’s deliverance of Israel from their captivity in Egypt. – Exodus 10-12
“Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously…” Exodus 13-15
God continues to provide, even for an ungrateful people. – Exodus 16-18
Moses receives the Ten Commandments. – Exodus 19-21
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