Exodus 22-23: On Israel’s Bloated Sheep Market—and Other Jewels of Jewish Jurisprudence (Bible Talk, Ep. 30)

In this episode of Bible Talk, Alex Duke, Jim Hamilton, and Sam Emadi continue their conversation through Exodus. This time, they discuss all those laws in Exodus 22–23. Why are they there? Why should Christians not just let their eyes glaze over them?

SHOW NOTES

1:26 / In the previous episode, Exodus 21’s laws are called an exposition of the Ten Commendments, especially the command “thou shall not murder.” Does that pattern continue in Exodus 22?

5:18 / Why are oxen worth more than sheep?

9:04 / Why is there bloodguilt for killing a thief in daylight but not at nighttime?

12:34 / If you break it, you buy it.

13:38 / Jim explains Israel’s law about “a man seducing a virgin.”

16:02 / Sam declares that marriage and sex outside of marriage are justice issues.

19:16 / Why are Exodus 22’s laws about sojourners, widows, and fatherless children important to the chapter?

21:22 / How does the beginning of Exodus 23 help us discern between right and wrong?

25:49 / Alex praises the beauty of how God’s people are commanded to love their enemies in Exodus 23:4.

28:31 / Does Exodus 23 introduce new Sabbath and festival rules or rehash the same ones?

31:05 / Why shall you “not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk?” (Ex. 23:19)

33:05 / What incentive does the Lord give to Israel for its obedience?

Image: Mt. Sinai, a drawing by Edward Lear 1812-1888