Exodus

Exodus 23: God guides His holy people

Begin in prayer

Before the laws lead from Israel’s courts to its journey ahead, let us ask God for faithful hearts. Pray that we will hear His warnings, love our neighbors and worship Him through Christ alone.

Yahweh, God of Armies, who is a mighty one, like you? Yah, your faithfulness is around you.

Psalm 89:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Keep us from idols and from twisting justice for our own advantage. Show us Jesus and teach us to obey His word. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God forbids false reports, unjust testimony, favoritism and bribes, while commanding help even for an enemy’s animals. He requires rest for the land and for workers, with provision for the poor and refreshment for servants and foreigners. Three annual feasts honor His rescue and His gifts of harvest. God promises an angel to guard the way and commands obedience to his voice because His name is in him. He promises blessing and victory to obedient Israel, then explains that the nations will be driven out little by little. The people must destroy idols and make no covenant with the nations or their gods, lest false worship become a snare.

As you read Exodus 23, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God commands justice and faithful worship as He guides His people toward the promised land.

Israel’s courts must resist lies, crowds, favoritism and bribes because justice belongs to God. Even an enemy’s wandering or burdened animal must receive help, so hatred cannot cancel a neighbor’s duty. Israel knows the heart of a foreigner from its own life in Egypt. Rest for fields and workers extends refreshment to the poor, servants, foreigners and animals. Three yearly feasts will order the nation’s life around God’s rescue and His gifts from the harvest. God sends His angel with His own name and authority, warning that rebellion will not be pardoned. The promises of health, fruitfulness and victory belong to Israel under the conditions He states. The land will be cleared little by little so it does not become desolate and overrun by wild animals. God’s guidance requires the destruction of idols and the refusal of alliances that would ensnare His people in sin.

How does Exodus 23 show us that God commands justice and faithful worship as He guides His people toward the promised land?

God’s justice cannot be bent by crowds or money.

Neither poverty nor power may decide a court’s judgment. Israel must refuse false charges and bribes, and must help an enemy’s animal. Christ’s command to love enemies brings this duty to the heart (Matthew 5 verse 44).

God makes worship and mercy shape the nation’s days.

The seventh year leaves food for the poor and the animals. Weekly rest refreshes servants and foreigners as well as the household. At three annual feasts all males must appear with gifts, remembering deliverance and thanking God for harvest.

God’s messenger must be heard with reverence.

God’s name is in the angel who guards the way to the prepared place. Rebellion will not be pardoned, and the promise of protection calls for obedience. For obedient Israel He promises blessed food and water, freedom from sickness, no miscarriage or barrenness, and full length of days.

God gives the land while guarding His people from idolatry.

He will send terror and hornets and drive the nations out little by little. This prevents desolation and wild animals from multiplying against Israel. Treaties and tolerated idols would become a snare, turning the people from their God.

Memorise

“Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous: for I will not justify the wicked.

Exodus 23:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what rival love is keeping my heart from Jesus?

God commands, “Keep far from a false charge.” He also says of His guiding angel, “he will not pardon your disobedience.” The Lord who directs the journey demands truth and obedience along the way.

Our falsehood and rival loyalties place us under God’s righteous judgment. Jesus bore the punishment for His people at the cross, redeeming them through His death. He rose to life after accomplishing the rescue once for all. His sacrifice is enough to give a clean standing before God to those who have broken His law.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Those who repent and believe find forgiveness in Him. Then hear the Lord whose grace teaches His people to abandon idols, speak truth and seek even an enemy’s good. His saving rule is worthy of your whole heart.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God commands truth, mercy and faithful worship, and that Jesus died and rose for lawbreakers. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for righteous guidance and His call to undivided worship, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

If you love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:15

LORD, thank You for guiding Your people and telling them what is good. Forgive our false words and divided hearts. Please bring us to trust Jesus for mercy. Teach our family to help even those who oppose us, reject idols and honor You in daily work. Amen.