Exodus 21
Exodus 21–23, YHVH lays out for his people the basic principles of morality and righteousness.
YHVH’s Method of Teaching His Children His Divinely Revealed Truth
After having given the ten statements (or ten commandments), which forms the basic cornerstone of the YHVH’s whole Torah-law and out of which all of his other commandments emanate, YHVH now expanded on these basic principles in chapters 21 to 23. These scriptures contains the fundamental principles of how to love YHVH Elohim wholly and one’s neighbor as oneself (otherwise known as “the golden rule”).
Exodus chapters 20 to 23 contain the basic laws and principles for a society to function smoothly at a high level spiritually. They form the foundation of societal governance, which the new nation of Israel needed in order to survive without falling into anarchy while remaining in right relationship with their Elohim as a holy or set-apart nation surrounded by heathen nations.
It is also interesting to note that YHVH did not give Israel all 613 Torah laws at once, but introduced them to his people little-by-little on an as-need basis so as not to overwhelm them too quickly. He led and taught the children of Israel as loving and patient parents teach their children them little-by-little in small doses so as not to overwhelm them. This is the same method that the Spirit of Elohim use to this day to teach new disciples of Yeshua about the Truth of the Bible little-by-little and step-by-step. In this same manner, wise and godly Bible teachers will teach their disciples the principles of godly living.
YHVH started with the ten statements of Exodus 20, then expanded these ten into the basic laws in chapters 21 through 23, and he then goes from there instructing the Israelites in ways of righteous living. This teaches us another truth about how YHVH operates with his human children: he reveals himself to those who seek him slowly and methodically over time. He and his ways are too transcendently great and expansive for the mind of man to encompass all at once.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith YHVH. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa 58:8–9)
This measured and progressive method of divine truth revelation is exactly how the apostles chose to reveal YHVH’s truth to the new Gentile converts in Acts 15—little by little. First they heard the gospel message and came to Messiah, then they were given basic rules to follow in order to enter into the fellowship of the saints, then they would learn the laws of Moses over time each Sabbath in the instructional setting of the local synagogue.
Learning the divinely revealed truths of Elohim and his ways of righteousness as found in the Bible is a step-by-step process that will last a lifetime as each of us grows up from spiritual childhood into mature, adult sons and daughters of YHVH Elohim.
Please stay tuned…there will be more to follow!
