More People to Kill

Exodus 22:16-31

This section seems to be a random set of other laws the people were to follow. The NIV has the heading "Social Responsibility" but you might also use "Smite These Folks Too" or "Other People to Not Have Over for Dinner".

Here we go:

If a man seduces a virgin and sleeps with her- he has to pay the going rate for marrying a virgin. If the father of the potential bride wants no part of this guy, the marriage doesn't happen, but he still has to pay the bride price. I wonder how often this happened, I'm guessing that the odds of the deflowered daughter finding a mate (and bringing in further profit) weren't so good. But I guess the creepy guy hitting on young women might not make for the best son-in-law either.

Sorceresses...die.

Interesting that gender is specified here. Does that mean sorcerers also die? Just can't join the PTA? Can perfrom card tricks but no sawing ladies in half? I'm sure they weren't in good favor either, but the distinction is certainly interesting.

Bestiality? Death... and lots of embarassment for the guilty party's family (I infered the last part).

Those who sacrifice to other gods...destroyed. Maybe significance in the choice of words here. Not just killed- but destroyed.

Treat aliens right- remember you were aliens in Egypt. In the midst of all the harshness- this one feels pretty New Testament-ish. It's the same God here that loves us with so much mercy today.

Don't take advantage of widows or orphans. If they cry out- I'll hear them- and I won't be happy. In fact, I'll kill you with a sword- your wife will be a widow and your children will be orphans, just like these people you took advantage of.

If you loan money to the needy- don't charge interest (hear that Mastercard?) If you take a cloak from your neighbor as a pledge on that loan- return it by sundown- he'll want it when it gets cold- and if he needed to borrow from you, he probably doesn't have much else to keep him wam. I'll hear him when he cries out because I'm compassionate.

Don't blaspheme God or curse your ruler. The God part is pretty easy to swallow- but cursing the ruler a bit tougher. I think there's a big difference though between cursing and totally abhorring every choice made- even to the point of protest. Maybe the key for us is to maintain love and compassion in the midst of our indignation.

Don't hold back offerings from graineries or vats. Give me your firstborn sons. Also, on the 8th day of their lives, give me the firstborn cattle and sheep. OK- give back to God, I get that- but are sons a reference to some animal? I don't think that he's ordering an Isaac-like sacrifice, but the command is a bit odd. Just not much context for it.

I want you holy- so don't eat meat that an animal has ripped apart- instead give it to the dogs. This seems to jive with some earlier commands about not eating meat.

And that's it. This set seems to be largely about protecting the helpless- the poor, the widows, the orphans, aliens, and the young (or at least virginal). There's also much about respect for God and His power- anti-sorcery, blaspheming, worshippers of false gods. And finally purity- sexual law, and eating tainted meat.

While the penalties are really harsh- and the specifics might be culturally different- these principles are still things God seems to hold dear- help the helpless, respect God, and don't do gross stuff- or try to keep yourself pure.