Prayer: Father, Your law extends beyond the scope of Ten Commandments. Your law encompasses justice in life situations, assisting judges to adjudicate wisely. Thank You for instruction where man finds it difficult to act justly. Amen.
Reading: Exodus 21 key: vs. 22-24
22 “If men fight, and hit a pregnant woman so that her child is born early, yet no harm follows, the one who hit her is to be strictly fined, according to what the woman’s husband demands of him. He must pay as the judges determine. 23 But if any harm follows, then you are to penalize life for life, 24 eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Attention: What is an ordinance? Most of us have heard the term ordinance in terms of laws or ordinances which are enforced for traffic, parking, construction, zoning, and pets. These laws effect our lives every day. Some of the ones you read in this chapter, you may have never heard of but were a part of Hebrew life after the giving of the Ten Commandments, as practical life application given by Adonai. They supplemented the Ten Commandments. In actuality, from this chapter to the conclusion of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, instruction will be given to Moses from Adonai, about the new lifestyle of the Hebrew nation before and unto God.
Adonai will give instruction through Moses about Hebrew worship, the building of the Tent of Meeting, construction of the Ark of the Covenant; the Altar and the tools associated with sacrifice; Priestly instruction on sacrifice and the preparations for sacrifice; Spirit-filled craftsmen of precious metals and jewels; the three Festivals to be celebrated; design and making of Priestly garments; formula for holy anointing oil and incense; and offerings.
So, what is Parashat Mishpatim? According to an internet search, The parashah is a section of the Torah (Five Books of Moses) used in Jewish liturgy during a particular week. There are 54 parshas, or parashiyot in Hebrew, and the full cycle is read over the course of one Jewish year. Each Torah portion consists of two to six chapters to be read during the week. There are 54 weekly portions or parashot.
The Parashat was a Jewish schedule of readings to be read over the course of one Jewish year. Priests taught the men, who carried the instruction home and taught their families. Imagine if Spirit-filled Yeshua-following men were discipled today to take spiritual instruction back to their family to teach the children. How different would our families be today?
Discipleship is a primary aim of the Choose Life Journal whose name is taken from the discourse (found in Deuteronomy 31:19-20) between Adonai and Moses, prior to Joshua leading the Hebrew nation into the promised land. If you are new to Choose Life, I hope you will continue the journey with us, as together, we search the scriptures and our lives are transformed.
Action: I choose to journal with the Choose Life family and draw closer to Adonai.
Yield: When I Choose Life, I Choose Adonai’s way and yield my life to Him.
Engage: I engage when I choose God’s way of life.
Relationship: I Choose to listen to God and be obedient to Him.
Prayer: Father, how interesting how similar we are to the Hebrew nation. They said to Moses, “you speak to us, and we will listen.” They did not say we promise to obey what God tells you, but they did agree to “listen.” That is way short of committing to You. Help me to agree to listen and obey! Amen.
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 31:19-20
19 “Now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to Bnei-Yisrael—put it in their mouth, so that this song may be a witness for Me against Bnei-Yisrael.
20 “For when I bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey that I swore to their fathers, and they eat and are satisfied and grow fat—then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and they will spurn Me and break My covenant.
Music Video: Keith Green—To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice https://youtu.be/TzWyZxlwGKI
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”