And now…after nearly four weeks of breathtaking narrative, we reach something entirely different: Law and statute. It might seem appealing to disengage at this point, both because there is so little narrative, and also because there is so much foreign matter – stuff that seems culturally distant or downright troubling.

But there is story here, and we’re going to walk through it together. Much of what you hear in these chapters will be built on those Ten Commands in chapter 20, and is essential for setting up community life as a new, free, nation. Most importantly, it’s a story of how every little detail of life is to be committed to God as sacred space.

The first set of laws today has to do with the treatment of slaves. Just as when we read about marriage in Genesis, so now we have to listen not with modern ears, but with ancient ones. God is laying down boundaries for institutions that already existed. Listen carefully for words of protection, even within this troubling environment.

The next set of laws has to do with acts of violence and carelessness, even that of animals. Think about how important it is for laws of restitution and retribution to be set out in advance. This was to be a nation of laws and statutes, rather than individuals and clans seeking their own version of justice.

At the end of today’s reading we read a variety of statutes regarding proper treatment of God, of sojourners, widows, and orphans, of the poor, and of first fruits. Listen especially to how God ties their treatment of sojourners to their own history.

My final encouragement today is this: as you read through the law, both today and through the next few books, keep in mind what is in the Israelites’ past, rather than what is in our past.

Our verse for this week is Hebrews 11:22: “By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.”

Exodus 21 and 22. Now let’s read it!