Exodus 21:1-6

Notes on Exodus 21:1-6

1 Now these are the judgments which thou shalt set before them. 2 If thou buy an Hebrew servant, six years he shall serve: and in the seventh he shall go out free for nothing. 3 If he came in by himself, he shall go out by himself: if he were married, then his wife shall go out with him. 4 If his master have given him a wife, and she have born him sons or daughters; the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. 5 And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: 6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.

Verse 1
These are judgments (Mishpat - legal decisions) for deciding cases of civil disputes in ancient Israel. They are not primarily moral principles, although moral principles can be derived from them.
Knowing the difference between judgments, statutes, commandments and ordinances is essential to rightly divide the law of God.
We will discover this distinction as we meditate on the law of the Lord.

Verse 2-6
A slave is not a possession, he has rights. This judgment deals with his right to be released after a time.
This judgment assumes that at times a slave would actually choose to remain in slavery, and love his master. This shows that slavery in ancient Israel was not so very demeaning.
A slave can choose to serve his master forever; in this passage, "forever" means "until death", there will be no slavery in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Principles:
We should respect the value of every human being made in the image of God, no matter their situation.
God demands that a human master give free choice to his slaves to leave or stay. God also gives us free choice to accept him in love or to reject him; forfeiting the gifts he has given us, including life.
A person who loves God will choose to serve him forever.

If you love God, how are you serving him?

Be Perfect

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Based on Hebrews 13:20-25

Paul's blessing to the Hebrew believers: May the God of Peace who resurrected Jesus, the great shepherd, by the blood of the eternal covenant, make you perfect in doing his will, changing you to be righteous by Jesus Christ, who deserves the credit for every positive change. Please accept the words of this letter which is to strengthen you in your spiritual life. Timothy is free now, I hope to join him while he is with you. Greet the church leaders for me and all true followers of Jesus. The Italians send their greetings. May you have grace.

Jesus can make us perfect by his blood but we must accept and live by the words of scripture to achieve this.

Do you trust God to use the Bible to make you perfect like Jesus?
Are you reading, memorising and thinking the words of the Bible so they can change you?

Nice

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40

Based on Hebrews 13:16-19

Do not forget to do good and to be generous because God considers this a good sacrifice to himself. Be obedient to authorities in your church, to make their job more pleasant, since it is a heavy responsibility and for your soul's benefit. Pray for them too because they are trying to do what is right, and doing so would bring real benefit to them. It would have even caused Paul to be freed from prison.

God regards kindness to others as kindness to himself. The most important kindness is to submit joyfully to church leaders and pray for them.

Are you praying for anyone who is ruling or counselling you in the church?

Memory and Hope

Based on Hebrews 13:10-15

Our sacrifice is not what was going on in the temple in Paul's day. Because the bodies of animals sacrificed for sin are burnt outside the camp signifying how Jesus would suffer outside the city to make us holy by his blood. Let us therefore be like him and be willing to suffer and be excluded from Jerusalem and Jewishness (your own home and culture); because Jerusalem is not God's city, but God's city is to come. Let us therefore praise and thank God constantly despite persecution because Jesus has blessed us so much.

We should be willing to face the same kind of suffering as Jesus and praise God.

If you are a follower of Christ, think back on the blessings he has brought into your life.

Rambo Christians?

For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Ecclesiastes 4:10

Based on Hebrews 13:7-9

Be grateful to godly spiritual leaders who have helped you know God through his Word. Imitate the faith of these people and pay attention to why they behave the way they do. It is to become like Jesus Christ who is the same always. It is possible to know what is right because Jesus set the example for all to follow throughout the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. Jesus has not changed.
So do not get distracted by strange ideas that do not come from the Bible, but focus on the grace of God that he gave Jesus to sinners like us. Do not regard people who teach continuing to worry about the ordinances that Moses was given at a specific time for a specific situation. Rather focus on God's eternal law and how it reveals Jesus to us.

We are not able to obtain salvation alone. Imitate the faith of godly people, notice how it leads to action. Consider that they do it all because of Jesus Christ; they are empowered by him as they strive to be like him as revealed in his eternal law. We need Jesus to be saved, and often Jesus uses other people to do his work in our lives.

Are you following the good example of those who you believe have a better experience with God than you? Do not think you cannot be like them; you can be better, you can be like Jesus.
Remember that any improvement in your life will be powered by God and you must resolve to trust him, even if it means accepting criticism from sinful people.

Terrifying but Good

Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. Revelation 14:7

Based on Hebrews 12:18-29

God, not just God the Father, but God; is terrifying at best to sinful weak human beings. God is so holy that any lesser being who steps near him must be killed.
But God has given us himself as Jesus, and his blood guarantees us harmony with God, a place in heaven and stability in these strange times.
It is so important that we hold onto the truth that God has revealed, only then are we able to be firm when everything around us is falling apart.

God should be feared, but he is also kind and generous.

Are you standing for the truth?
If you are, are you also being kind and generous?

The Value of Discipline

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Proverbs 3:11-12

Based on Hebrews 12:11-17

Being disciplined doesn't feel good at the time; but it makes us righteous, giving us contentment.
We need to help each other to live righteous lives. We need to get along with each other. We need to watch over each other making sure that nobody is rejecting the grace God is giving to help us forgive each other; causing the offended person to be bitter and ultimately causing many people to fall into sin. When this happens in the church it leads to a widespread devaluation of God's principles inside and outside the church, resulting in sin. Eventually people will be so hardened against the Holy Spirit that they will be eternally lost.

It is absolutely essential that we are all willing to be disciplined by God and others, and that we are willing to discipline others as well.

Are you rejecting discipline which the Holy Spirit is bringing into your life, perhaps through another person? Are you bitter against someone? Is it really worth losing heaven for? What will you say to Jesus when he shows you how your bitterness has also destroyed others?
Do you know others in your church well enough to help them with their struggles?

Why is there Suffering?

"When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the Lord thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the Lord thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them." Deuteronomy 4:30-31

Based on Hebrews 12:4-10

You have probably not even had to bleed in trying to overcome sin in your life, at least not yet. You have also forgotten the appeal God makes to you as to one of his children; "My son, do not hate getting disciplined or corrected by the Lord, because he rebukes and punishes every son that is his own." If you are being disciplined by God that proves you belong to him, all good fathers discipline their children. If you were not suffering at all it would just indicate the you were not a child of God. We should be even more grateful to God for his correction than our natural fathers, because God has all authority and is entirely selfless, so his discipline is perfect.

To overcome sin involves a process that will require you to submit to the hand of God and be willing to go through suffering and sorrow in the process. God loves you and you are his child, so he will take responsibility to discipline and train you. But you must not refuse this training or you will not be changed to be like Jesus.

Are you willing to be cut by God in order to become like Jesus?

The Power of the Cross

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Based on Hebrews 12:1-3

Since there are so many witnesses/martyrs that testify to us that there is hope in God worth suffering for; we can put aside everything that holds us back and the sin that we often succumb to, and we can do the Christian walk like a marathon.
Look to and depend on Jesus who founded and will complete this faith. Consider how he endured excruciating pain because he hoped that you might be healed of sin. Consider how Jesus did not care that his own reputation/glory was dragged through the mud, and now his reputation is better than anyone else in the universe.

Consider what Jesus went through for you often, especially when you feel like being selfish/sinful.

Would you be so quick to sin if you reflected on Jesus' sacrifice for a few minutes every morning?
Try it.

Jesus gave everything so that you could be saved, what are you sacrificing to bring others to Jesus?

Your Part

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40

Based on Hebrews 11:30-40

Those who served God had faith to do good and faith to endure evil. God has a part for us to play in his work, without us the work of God's people throughout history is not complete. All the work that Abraham, Moses, Paul and others did will not mean anything unless it is finished by us.

You have a bigger role than you think, how are you going to fill that role?

Moses and Christ

Based on Hebrews 11:23-29

Consider the parallels and differences between Moses and Jesus Christ outlined in this passage.

Birth circumstances

Sacrificial lifestyle

Motivation

Obedience to God over man

Relationship to Passover

Relationship to Baptism and Judgment

Why is this significant?

The Life of Faith

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17

Based on Hebrews 11:20-22

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau though things did not go the way he planned. He did not know who he was blessing, but gave the blessing anyway and the second son but right son Jacob was blessed.
By faith Jacob blessed Joseph's sons, also blessing the younger above the older; contrary to tradition but correctly. Jacob at the end of his life also exerted great effort to worship God.
By faith Joseph, at death, commanded his family to take his bones with them mentioning a return to the promised land. He believed that the descendants of Jacob would return and by requesting the removal of his bones symbolised that the descendants of Jacob should not remain in Egypt.
Isaac had faith and accidentally blessed the right person, Jacob had faith and deliberately blessed the right person. Joseph brought his family to Egypt but by faith did not want his body to always stay there, because he knew it was not his home.

Trusting God has many applications for different situations. The emphasis of faith is on a relationship with Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

Do you have enough faith in Jesus to obey him by obeying his word and following the prompting of his Spirit?

Hope or Hopeless?

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? Romans 8:24

Based on Hebrews 11:17-19

Abraham in his time of testing gave up Isaac, although he had been promised a great nation of descendants through Isaac who God declared to be his principle son. Because God had promised that this promise would come through Isaac and God's promises must come to pass; Abraham believed God would raise Isaac from the dead.

Having faith in God's promises will lead to clear purpose and hope.

How many of God's promises do you know well enough to trust firmly in? Have you memorised any of God's promises in the Bible?

Priorities

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

Based on Hebrews 11:13-16

The patriarchs died not having experienced the fulfilment of God's promise but believing it would come and they prioritised God. Since they put God first, they prioritised finding the fulfilment of God's promise in heaven and did not prioritise concerns of this world.

Prioritise the place of future happiness which is being prepared in heaven, and do not allow yourself to be distracted.

Is there something holding you back from a better relationship with Jesus? Why would you let this take away your hope of eternal life?

Exercising Faith

And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. Genesis 22:18

Based on Hebrews 11:8-12

[The nature of faith is explained in the previous post.]
By faith Abraham obeyed the words of God and migrated without knowing the details of what it would be like, and we must also follow Jesus when we do not know where we are going.
By faith Abraham lived in that land promised as an outsider living in tents as Isaac and Jacob, his sons and also heirs in the promise, would do. Abraham did these things because he looked forward to a strong city, New Jerusalem, the City of God, which we also hope for.
Through faith Sarah was able to conceive despite the 'medical impossibility' because she trusted Christ who had made the promise to her. In this way a huge multitude of people was produced from a man who was nearly dead, just as the multitude in New Jerusalem will be there because of a man who died and rose again, Jesus Christ.

To have saving faith means to start obeying before knowing the details of what you are doing, and to hope in the promises of God not in human effort, claiming the promises in prayer.

Is there any thing you are doing today that you know you could not do if Jesus did not give you the ability? If not, ask God to show you a way to exercise your faith.

Faith Is

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Based on Hebrews 11:1-7

Faith is the means to make use of things that we want but do not have.
Faith is the conclusive evidence for things that we cannot possibly see.
We know this because
By faith people of old were able to be declared good:
By faith we know about the way God made everything from nothing, and that things have not evolved from other things.
By faith Abel chose to obey God in details unlike Cain, this was evidence that Abel was right with God.
By faith Enoch never died, but went to be with God because Enoch pleased God. Enoch needed to believe certain things about God to please him, including that God was real and that God does reveal himself those that are trying to get to know him.
By faith Noah built a giant boat to save his family from a flood that had never been experienced before and there was no evidence for previously. Noah feared that this flood would occur only because God gave him his word it would. The others in the world at the time chose not to believe God's word through Noah, but determined to survive without God's help. Those who did not have faith were not right with God and were lost; those who did have faith were right with God and were saved.

Trust Jesus

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

Based on Hebrews 10:35-39

Because your salvation is so important; do not get rid of your confidence in Jesus, which will be rewarded. Because you need to endure to receive the promise even after doing the will of God. Because in a short time Jesus will come (then he will not delay). Those who are made righteous will live by trusting God, but any who change their mind and stop trusting God will be rejected by him. We who have confidence in Jesus are not like that, neither turning back nor apostatising and being utterly destroyed; no, we trust in God. As we trust God, our mind is being healed.

Confidence in Jesus must continue to the end for salvation.

Have you got enough confidence in Jesus to remain at peace throughout your difficulties?
Only Jesus can help you, and he will if you ask.

Beware!

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Hebrews 10:31

Based on Hebrews 10:30-34

God will return the consequences of sin to those who have rejected Jesus. The Lord will judge Christians, beware, it is a terrifying prospect to be punished by God. But recall how Jesus led and preserved you in the past and you were willing to put up with it for him. Because you aligned yourself with God's people, supporting them, knowing that you will have eternal wealth although you are poor for now.

God will judge you, and you really do not want to be found guilty! But recall how God has been good to you in the past, and so faithful.

After years of confusion about real Biblical truth, God brought me to friends and teachers who were able to show me clear answers from the Bible. After years of feeling excluded, and different from my peers, God brought me to true friends and has allowed me to be a friend to others. Truly God is faithful, recall how he has been faithful to you, and it will strengthen your faith and you will not fear the judgment.

Stick Together

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-24

Based on Hebrews 10:22-25

Draw close to God honestly, being true to who you are in all your sinfulness. Be confident that you can do this because your heart and body is cleaned from guilt and sin. Stick to the teachings of the Bible because God can preserve them and protect you. Think of others, help and encourage them to live like and be like Jesus. Meet with them regularly to do this, and give encouragement; especially as you see the day of Christ's return getting close.

Draw close to God and other people, to learn from them and bless them.

Who are you close to, and how are you blessing them?

Jesus Saves From Sin

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

Based on Hebrews 10:15-18

The Holy Spirit is the person who makes us holy like Jesus, on Jesus' behalf and by his power. The Holy Spirit told the prophets how he makes us holy; by the new covenant (in Jesus' blood), he will put his eternal law into our hearts and the words of them in our minds. He will not recall our sins and iniquities to mind. When our sins and iniquities are forgiven there is no need for any further offering or sacrifice for sin.

Becoming holy like Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit in me, through his Word which he has given for my mind and heart. There is no further need for penance or sacrifice, I am saved by Jesus.

What is stopping you from becoming holy like Jesus by asking for the Holy Spirit?

General Notes

Note 1: I am open to learning new ideas so make amendments or suggestions if you have any. I will seriously consider any theological amendment where at least one Bible reference (Book, chapter, verse from the Christian Bible: KJV or Textus Receptus) is given or an academic reference for any other kind of amendment (e.g. grammar or history). Apart from a clear Bible passage from the Textus Receptus I cannot guarantee that I will change my position if the evidence is not compelling to me. I am open however to any kind of suggestions and posting Bible verses from other translations is not a problem. Translations are useful and good, but for theology, a translation is not the final word on a point. The KJV is my preferred English translation but it is not ideally translated in some places and ripe for misunderstanding in others but these problem passages are all balanced by other passages that clarify the confusing parts. In short the KJV is the best English translation and I plan to use it, but all scripture must be understood in the context of other scripture.

Note 2: I will avoid capitalising pronouns for God (e.g. He) because in my opinion capitals are grammatically for proper nouns and headings not pronouns. I have often used capitalised pronouns for God in the past, but I am trying this out at least for now, hopefully my expression can be clear enough that  capitalised pronouns are not needed. I will continue to use capitals for names of God (e.g. God or Lamb), since I believe they are appropriate for that purpose. The practice of capitalising pronouns has tended to create confusion for me in the past about which words should and should not be capitalised. Limiting capitalisation makes lessens confusion (e.g. the 'Word of God' is a name of Jesus and a name of the Bible but 'the word of God' describes the Bible).

Jesus; the Supreme Ruler

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Hebrews 10:12

Based on Hebrews 10:11-14

When Hebrews was written, human priests gave offerings every day that could not save from sin. But the human being Jesus Christ made one sacrifice culminating on the cross, which was great enough to save all other human beings  from all sins for all time. Then Jesus came to life again and left Earth to resume his place as the all powerful executive of the universe. Jesus is waiting in that location for the time when he will assert his rightful authority against those who hate him. This time will come when Jesus has completed his work to develop a group of people to be like him in character.

Jesus who is God the Son has become completely and irreversibly human, and yet Jesus has not lost His character and identity as Lord and God. Jesus' one sacrifice saves from sin forever, perfects and sanctifies people; and Jesus is with the Father and has the Father's power. Jesus is waiting for the time when he can free his friends from the oppression of his enemies.

Why not trust in the supreme power of Jesus the Lord and become his friend right now?

First Post

This blog is called Deus Protector Noster, which roughly means God Our Protector in English. This phrase is apparently the motto of the Maher family in Ireland. Being a Maher with ancestry in Ireland, I think it makes a good title for my blog. This is especially true considering that I believe with all my heart and mind that God is my protector and saviour.

May God protect you.