Exodus 21

Exodus 21:1-36

Exodus 21:1-36; Exodus 22:1-31; Exodus 23:1-33; Exodus 24:1-18II. The Lesser Law (Exodus 21:1-36; Exodus 22:1-31; Exodus 23:1-33; Exodus 24:1-18) This is the civil code of Israel and is really a concrete presentation and application of the laws contained in the Decalogue, particularly the second table. It is in a sense a minor Decalogue. The contents of this Lesser Law may be summed up in seven divisions.

Exodus 21:12-32

Exodus 21:12-322. With Regard to Personal Injury (Exodus 21:12-32) Compare with this the fifth commandment, “ Thou shalt not kill.” Capital offenses are dealt with in Exodus 21:12-17. In cases of willful murder no redress or mercy is expected or shown. There must be no commutation of sentence. The culprit may be taken even from the altar (cf. Luke 11:50-51). For unpremeditated murder or manslaughter cities of refuge were provided. The severe punishment for this crime is doubtless to be accounted for by the fact that man was created in the image of God (cf. Genesis 9:5-6). Kidnapping is also a capital offense, as is the cursing or striking of a parent which is equivalent to blaspheming God. Assault and battery is dealt with in Exodus 21:18-27, for which retribution, compensation, and damages must be paid. The expression, “ Eye for eye, tooth for tooth,” is not to be taken literally. If it were, what a lot of one-eyed and toothless people we would have going around! Compensation is to be paid for injuries done to cattle (Exodus 21:28-32). These verses are important, for they deal with man’ s responsibility for negligence and with sins of omission. They show that every man is his brother’ s keeper and that no man liveth unto himself. Again the sanctity of human life, even of slaves (Exodus 21:32), is emphasized.

Exodus 21:33-36

Exodus 21:33-36; Exodus 22:1-153. Regarding Personal Property Rights (Exodus 21:33-36; Exodus 22:1-15) This section illustrates the seventh commandment, “ Thou shalt not steal.” Thefts (Exodus 22:1-4) call for punishment by fine and the restitution of double, quadruple, and sometimes even five times as much as the amount stolen. In some instances the person could be sold if he could not make payment. If a thief is killed while breaking into a house there is no legal guilt. The law of deposits (Exodus 22:7-14) shows the sacredness of human trust and trusteeship. How much more sacred is the committal of a soul! We are to care for what we borrow (Exodus 22:14-15) and see that it suffers as little as possible in the using. What is lost must be replaced. What a lesson for us today who borrow books, umbrellas, and either keep or lose them and yet do not even apologize, much less restore.