19 May 2017, Ex 21-23 出21-23 章, Outworking of Law in daily Life法律在日常生活中的表现

Posted on May 14, 2017 in Devotions, Exodus |

Scripture Reading        : Ex 21-23

Theme                            :  Outworking of Law in daily Life

 

Having stated His basic law, God then told Moses how to apply it to specific situations so that everybody would receive equal justice, which is the principle in verses 22–25. No person was to take the law into his or her own hands. When it comes to personal
retaliation, we must obey Matthew 5:38–48.

God’s law shows that He is concerned about everything: men, women, children, the unborn, property and even animals. This is His creation and He has the right to tell us how to manage it. The Law did not change people’s hearts, but it did help to control their conduct and give order to the nation. Laws and government have been instituted by God and we should respect them (Rom. 13).

Some penalties given here may seem harsh to us; but keep in mind that the nation was in its “childhood” (Gal. 4:1–7), and children learn best through rewards and punishments. Forty years later, when the new generation was on the scene, Moses emphasized love when he repeated the Law (Deut. 4:37; 6:4–6; 7:6–13). Love is the fulfilling of the Law (Rom. 13:8–10).[1]

 

Praying the Scripture

  1. These principles have been severely criticized by some as being “barbaric” but it’s just the opposite. In an age where there was no the legal system, this law made sure that the punishment meted out by the judges was equal to the seriousness and severity of the crime, not more and not less. If the guilty aggressor blinded his enemy’s eye, then his own eye was blinded. Nothing could be fairer. The sentence must fit the crime. Let’s pray for our government that they will do their duty as God intended.
  2. Justice is the practical outworking of the righteousness of God in human history, for “the Lord loves righteousness and justice” (Ps. 33:5; see Isa. 30:18; 61:8). There may be a great deal of injustice in our world today but the time will come when God will judge the world in righteousness by the Savior that the world has rejected and His judgment will be just (Acts 17:31). Let’s pray that we will be patient and wait on the Lord rather than take things into our own hands.
  3. When Jesus prohibited His disciples from retaliating against those who hurt them (Matt. 5:38–44; 1 Peter 2:19–21), He was dealing with personal revenge (“I’ll get even with you!”) and encouraging personal forgiveness. As believers, we have the privilege of waiving our “legal rights” to the glory of God and not demanding compensation (1 Cor. 6:1–8). Are you willing to forsake your right for the glory of God? Let’s pray that God’s glory is more important in your heart than your own right.

[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Ex 21:1.

 
 

经文：出21-23 章

主题：法律在日常生活中的表现

 

在立下基本律法后，神接着告诉摩西要如何将它们应用在日常具体的情况，叫每个人都能得到公平对待，这也是22-25节的原则。没有人可以越过律法的权限擅自处理事务。当遇到个人仇报的问题时，我们必须服从马太福音5:38-48。

神的律法让我们看到祂是在乎一切的：男女、孩童、胎儿、财产、甚至动物。这一切皆是祂的创造，所以神有权告诉我们该如何施行管理。律法并不能改变人心，但它确实有助于抑制人的行为，并给国家带领秩序。律法和政府皆由神所制立，所以我们应该尊重他们（罗13）。

这里所列的一些惩罚看似苛刻，但我们要记住，这时的以色列国正处于“童年”时期（加4:1-7），而孩子借着奖惩制度学习是最佳的。 40年后，当新的一代诞生了，摩西重申律法时所强调的则是爱（申4:37；6:4-67；6-13）。爱，完全了律法（罗13:8-10）。

 

用经文祷告

  1. 有些人苛刻批评律法原则为“野蛮”，但事实恰好相反。在这个没有法律体系的时代中，这些法律确保法官所实施的惩罚，是与罪刑的严重性同等，不多也不少。如果罪犯弄瞎了敌人的眼，那他自己的眼睛也要被刺瞎。这是最合理、公平的对待了。惩罚与罪刑必须同等。让我们祷告，叫我们的政府可以按神所立定的制度尽他们的责任。
  2. 司法是神的公义在人类历史上的实践，因为“耶和华喜爱仁义公平”（诗33:5；赛30:18；61:8）。今日的世界仍然有许多的不义，但是神已经定了日子，要藉着祂所设立、那被世人拒绝的救主，按公义审判天下（徒17:31）。让我们祈祷能耐心等候耶和华，绝不擅自自行报复。
  3. 当耶稣禁止祂的门徒向加害他们的人报复时（太5:38-44；彼前2:19-21），耶稣是在针对个人仇报（“我会向你报复！”），并鼓励个人的宽恕。作为信徒，我们可以不要求赔偿，享有放弃个人的“合法权” 之特权来荣耀神（林前6:1-8）。你愿意为了神的荣耀，弃绝你的权利吗？让我们祈祷能在心里重视神的荣耀，轻看自己的权利。