Day 38

Exodus 20-22:15.  “Rules and More Rules”

Rules.  It’s not just the Ten Commandments.  We will see that there are literally hundreds of rules as our readings continue.  
Furthermore, it is not just the Old Testament, although some people have that idea.  In the New Testament Jesus expounded on the commandments.  He added statements of generosity to a rule about stealing (Mt. 5:40).  He added statements of guilt if a person even thinks immorally (Mt. 5:28).
He changed the course from focusing externally to focusing internally.  Although He added to it, He also simplified it.  Jesus said the Law is based on Loving the Lord with all our heart and loving others (Mt. 22:40).
I appreciate the insight from the Life Application Bible: The rules God laid out “had several objectives: (1) to protect the nation, (2) to organize the nation, and (3) to focus the nation’s attention on God.”
The guidelines God gives us today also have our protection and direction in mind.  God’s instructions are not without purpose.

General Questions for each day:
Summarize the day’s Bible passage in your own words.
What thoughts, actions, attitudes or beliefs are addressed in the passage?
How is the Holy Spirit leading you to apply this passage to your life today?