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00:00Present, Permanent, Perspective
00:05Exodus 23 concludes the Book of the Covenant. The laws are bookend by the preface about the altar.
00:13How and where the Lord comes to us, and the epilogue about the rhythm of our days.
00:18With instructions for the seventh year, the seventh day, and the three annual feasts where
00:22the Israelites come to Him. This chapter also looks into the future, and Angel and my fear go
00:29ahead of Israel, bringing them into the promised land. In both of these sections the common theme
00:35is that Israel is the exclusive people of God. Our reading of the chapter is easier if we observe
00:41the way it all belongs together. The introductory section, when Moses is at Sinai in preparation for
00:48the covenant, is matched by the concluding section, when Moses is again at Sinai, this time to ratify
00:54the covenant. Within this balanced presentation, the decalogue matches the Book of the Laws.
01:01If we look at Exodus 23 in detail, we are to be people of integrity and charity.
01:07In verse 3 poor means without resources, in verse 6 a different Hebrew word is used,
01:12meaning vulnerable, that is liable to be pushed around by stronger forces and interests.
01:18In verse 9 the stranger is the resident alien, the refugee, the person needing care and attention.
01:25Life is to be subordinate to a divinely imposed rhythm. The land Sabbath is to take place every
01:32seven years. What a colossal act of faith, a year of dependence on what the Lord causes to grow.
01:39It is the very denial of capitalistic greed. Notice too the stress on the humanitarian aspect
01:46of the Sabbath and its bearing on Sunday trading. More particularly observe that Exodus sees this
01:52rhythm only in relation to our devotion to one God Athene carried on in verses 24 and 32.
02:00The special being called the angel of the Lord is both the Lord and distinct from the Lord.
02:05In Exodus 23 verse 21 he possesses the Lord's name and dignity. In Exodus 33 verse 1 to 2 he
02:12accommodates the Lord's holy presence to live among a sinful people. He is a preview of the
02:18Lord Jesus Christ. Reflection In Psalm 34 verse 7 the angel takes up residence in a mobile home
02:26so as to be always alongside us.