RULINGS

“These are the rulings you are to present to them:”
Exodus 21:1

Adonai spoke with Moshe about many things, and even gave him the 10 Commandments. However, Adonai spoke with Moshe regarding other issues as well. It is in there other issues that we begin to see His opinion on such matters as jubilee and kidnapping to name only two. So let us spend a few minutes looking at the words of Adonai concerning additional life issues. We start with freedom of slaves.
In the beginning of Exodus 21, we are told that a Hebrew slave is to work for six years, but in the seventh is to be given freedom. This is related to the year of jubilee. It is in this concept that the land was to be worked as well. For only six years the ground was to be tilled, just as the slave was required to obey his master. However, on the seventh the ground rested just as the slave was declared free. If the slave came single, he left single. If he was married, he left married. If the slave decided he did not want to go, then the next step was to receive a piercing which was a sign that the slave had sworn his life to the owner.
Another concept in this mix that we may know a portion about starts in Exodus 21:7. It is in this portion that we read of redemption. If a man sold his daughter as a slave, she was not to be treated like a man. If the man was no longer pleased with her service he was allowed to sell her as long as it was not to foreign people. But in reading the book of Ruth we learn all about the kinsman redeemer and how Boaz redeemed her and the land.
In verses 12- we read the details of murder and how Adonai will tuck away the person who takes the life of another by accident, keeping the offender of the crime away from careful planning. We also see that there is no resolution for the death of a parent, kidnapping results in murder, and that the cursing of the parent is as serious as the physically death they could impose.
It is probably this portion that speaks the greatest to me. Cursing is a sin. This portion of the Torah refers to parents, but would Adonai not see it for being right. Adonai was setting boundaries for the protection of His people. As I read this piece I think back to the times when as a child I muttered under my breath against my parents. I also think how when now as a parent I still find myself muttering loud enough for my kids to know I am speaking about them, but not speaking nice words. I am convicted. I know I must cease this, not only because of Adonai’s blessings that will follow, but mostly because I simply want to do what is right. As I have been learning lately, doing His will is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

Exodus 21:1-19