Stipulations of the Covenant (chapters 4 – 26) Moral Law (4:44 – 11:32) Ceremonial Law (12:1 – 16:17) Civil Law (16:18 – 26:19)

Section C - Civil Law The Importance of Justice (ch 16:18 - 20) Forbidden forms of Worship (ch 16:21 – 17:7) Laws regarding priests, judges, kings(ch. 17) Provision for Priests and Levities (ch. 18) What to Avoid(ch. 18:9 – 14) A New Prophet like Moses (ch. 18:15 -22) Cities of Refuge, Boundaries, Witnesses (ch 19) Warfare Laws (ch. 20)

Section C - Civil Law Atonement for Unsolved Murders (ch 21:1 -9) Wives, Firstborn Sons, Rebellious Kids (ch 21) A Cursed Man Is Hanged on a Tree (ch 21:22 - 23) Various Laws (ch. 22) Unclean and Excluded (ch. 23) Divorce, Miscellaneous, and Marriage Laws (ch. 24 – 25) Firstfruits and Tithes (ch. 26)

Various Laws (22:1 – 4) What do you do with “lost animals”? Stray animals were an common problem in a agrarian society. The LORD requires positive action to restore a neighbor’s lost livestock. Even if you didn’t know who the livestock belonged to The KEY is to protect your neighbor’s property

Various Laws (22:5 – 12) No Cross Dressing (v. 5) What happens when you find a bird’s nest with a momma and her eggs (v. 6 – 7) Construction laws regarding rooftops and houses (v. 8) No cross pollination of seed (v. 9) No mixing of animals or fabrics (v. 10 – 11) Clothing identification (v. 12)

Laws Dealing with Sexual Sins (22:13 – 30 ) Similar to Leviticus 18; 20:10 – 21 Protect the dignity of a wife (v. 13 – 19) Her husband sleeps with her and then rejects her He accuses her of NOT being a virgin Her father has an opportunity to defend her honor If he can prove that she was a virgin when they were united in marriage, then the elders will whip the man, fine him a hundred shekels (given to the father-in-law), and then the he will man up and be a husband to this wife he tried to disgrace.

Laws Dealing with Sexual Sins (22:13 – 30 ) What happens if the man was right? What happens if she wasn’t a virgin? She is brought to the door of her father’s house The men of her city shall stone her to death with stones Why? Because she has done an outrageous thing in Israel by whoring in her father’s house. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

And Joseph here husband, being a righteous man, and not wanting to disgrace here, planned to send her away secretly – Matthew 1:19

The Impact of Adultery Adultery (consensual intercourse between a married person and someone other than that person’s spouse) was a crime (5:18) and punishable by death. Why? Why is it so serious? Adultery destroys the individual spirit, family, breaks down the continuity of society. What about consensual sex between to unmarried adults? (v. 23 – 24)

John 8:1 - 8

What About Rape? The phrase “seizes her” implies rape. If the woman is “betrothed” then the man shall die. (v. 25) If the woman was not been “betrothed” then the man will be required to “marry the woman” and he can’t divorce her, he must honor her and take care of her all the days of his life. Why?

Sleeping with your Step-Mom A man shall not take his father’s wife, so that he does not uncover his father’s nakedness “To cover” was a metaphor for taking a woman in marriage, thus this man uncovers his stepmom nakedness and invades the marital relationship. Occasionally, sons tried to take the headship role by having sexual relationships with their father’s concubines. Sets the stage for 1 Corinthians 5

Importance of these Laws Laws are given concerning marriage, promiscuity, adultery, rape, and incestuous adultery. These laws protect individuals, the integrity of the family unity, and the social stability and purity of the nation. Our God has blessed us with the institution of marriage to provide family, companionship, and a God-pleasing outlet for sexual desire. These relationships are an extension of our relationship with Christ.

Those Excluded from the Community (23:1 – 8) Self-mutilation was forbidden (an act of paganism) Children born from incest, cult prostitute, mixed/foreign marriages. (v. 2) Descendants of Amon and Moab would be excluded (v. 3 – 6) However third generation members of Edom and Egypt will be allowed to be come part of the community. Why?

Uncleanness in the Camp (23:9 - 14) During a military campaign, the soldiers were to keep the camp ritually clean (eg, toilet facilities were to be kept outside the camp and excrement covered up). The purpose is hygienic but also relates directly to the presence of the LORD walking in the camp. When Israel was at war, the LORD’s presence among them was to be recognized by keeping the camp holy, free from anything unclean and unbecoming.

Miscellaneous Laws(23:15 - 25) Escaped slaves from foreign countries could settle wherever they wished in Israel (all Israel was to be considered a sanctuary – v. 16 – 17 They were not reduced to slavery again in Israel. Israel’s covenant relationship with the LORD prohibited extradition treaties with foreign powers.

Miscellaneous Laws(23:15 - 25) Cult prostitution was strictly forbidden See verse 17 – 18 Pagan religions among Israel’s neighbors employed religious prostitutes for the fertility of foreign gods See Leviticus 1:2 and Proverbs 6:16 “wages of a dog” = a reference to pagan worship ABOMINATION

You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but you may not charge your brother interest, that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. (Deuteronomy 23:19 – 20)

Miscellaneous Laws(23:15 - 25) If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it otherwise you have committed a sin (v. 21) But if you chose not to take a vow, that’s probably the better route because then you are not guilty of keeping your promises (v. 22) Be careful what passes through your lips (v. 23)

Miscellaneous Laws(23:15 - 25) If you go into a neighbor’s land you may eat enough grapes to be filled, but you can’t put any in your bags (v. 24) If you go into a fill you can pick some grain by hand, but you can’t take a stickle to it (v. 25) Charity and hospitality are encouraged, but God will not allow you take advantage of the kindness of others.