_If a man steal._ THE LAW OF ROBBERY God made provision not only for the acquisition of property, but for its security. Hence this law, which respects-- 1. Theft. 2. Housebreaking. I. Theft (Exodus 22:1). As the wealth of an Israelite consisted mainly in flocks and herds, the depredations of th... [ Continue Reading ]
_If fire break out._ RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTIONS In the twenty-second chapter of Exodus the rights of property are defended, and the text before us may be considered as the law of fire insurance under the Mosaic dispensation. The law was a constant lesson to the people on their vast responsibility... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man shall deliver unto his neighbour money or stuff to keep._ THE LAW OF TRUSTS 1. God’s law provides strictly to keep men faithful to their trusts by men. 2. Theft may abuse and frustrate the trust of the most faithful men. 3. Such theft discovered is punished with double restitution by G... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man borrow._ BORROWING 1. God in His law provideth against hurting our neighbour’s goods by borrowing. 2. Hurt and death may come to things borrowed without the sin of the borrower. 3. In case of the borrower’s faultlessness in hurt, no restitution doth God award. 4. In case of wilful hur... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man entice a maid._ LESSONS 1. Providence may suffer men through strength of lust to entice and defile virgins. 2. Such enticing and polluting is grievous sin against God and man abhorred of the Lord. 3. In case of such sin God hath judged recompense to men, as He executeth vengeance for H... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live._ SPIRITUALISM-MODERN WITCHCRAFT The Bible regards witchcraft-- 1. As a stern and diabolical reality (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:9). 2. As unlawful trafficking with the unseen world (Leviticus 19:31; Isaiah 8:19, “For the living to the dead,” _i.e., _o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Neither vex a stranger._ THE STRANGER The spirit of the Hebrew law was broader than race, or country, or kindred. Among the ancients generally a foreigner had no rights in any country but his own. In some languages the very word “stranger” was synonymous with enemy. Against these race hatreds Mos... [ Continue Reading ]
_Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child._ GOD’S CARE FOR THE WIDOW AND FATHERLESS I. That widows and orphans have claims upon our regard. 1. They have claims upon our sympathy. Their stay, comfort, defence is gone. What state can be more sorrowful and helpless! 2. They have claims u... [ Continue Reading ]
_The ruler of thy people._ THE DIVINE RIGHT OF MAGISTRATES TO RESPECT I. That the powers that be are ordained of God (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13). II. That magistrates must re treated with respect, both their persons and their decisions (Joshua 1:16). 1. Because they administer that which, when i... [ Continue Reading ]
_The firstborn._ FIRST FRUITS TO GOD God asks for nothing that we have not to give. He asks that we will give to Him of what He has given to us, that we will put to its true and highest use what He for that end has bestowed. We cannot give fruit that we do not bear, or that is green and unripe, bu... [ Continue Reading ]