Êxodo 22
Tyndale Open Study Notes · Tyndale Open Study Notes
Êxodo 22:16-17
22:16-31 These miscellaneous cases involving social responsibility are not categorized. All parts of life are an expression of one’s obedience to God (see study note on 21:1–23:19).
Êxodo 22:18-19
22:18 The practices of a sorceress represented the pagan worldview from which God was delivering his people. That worldview was utterly incompatible with the biblical one (see 20:3; 23:13).
Êxodo 22:20
22:20 must be destroyed: See “Complete Dedication” Theme Note.
Êxodo 22:21
22:21 The Hebrews were to treat foreigners kindly because they, too, had once been foreigners (see also 23:9; Deut 10:18-19). For further development of the principle, see Luke 6:31.
Êxodo 22:22-24
22:22-23 The widow, the orphan, and the foreigner were in a helpless and economically disadvantaged position. God, by his protective stance toward these persons, demonstrated that he does not value people on the basis of their power or wealth, the standards accepted by most humans. Instead, God values people because they share his image (Gen 1:27).
Êxodo 22:25-29
22:25-27 Although interest could not be charged on a loan to another Israelite, collateral, or security, could be required. However, even the security had to be handled in a humane way. The requirements of the covenant mirrored the character of God.
Êxodo 22:30
22:30 God is considerate even of animals (see Jon 4:11).
Êxodo 22:31
22:31 Because of the symbolic significance of blood as life itself, God forbade eating meat with the blood still in it (see Lev 17:10-16).