The chapters we are reading today may at first seem somewhat odd, even irrelevant. What do a bunch of archaic rules have to do with us? Many of these commands seem very strange, even distasteful to ‘modern’ ears!

In context, however, we see that God is setting up the society of the Israelites to be in intense contrast to the nations around them. God’s people, the ones who would bear his name, were to be different. As a nation of priests, they were to live in a way that showed God’s justice and mercy to all those around them.

Seen in that light, these commands set up a system of justice, to prevent anyone from being harmed by others, and to protect the rights of all in the society. Many of the laws of the United States have some basis in these initial commands, providing for protection and restitution.

After giving specific commands for social justice in this new society, God provides context by promising to go ahead of his people, to fight for them and to bless them. 

The two go hand in hand, however. The justice and the obedience lead to the blessing, and the worship of God alone is the key toward being the godly society that shows the world his goodness. We in the church would do well to remember that the blessing we receive is part and parcel of our responsibility to be a kingdom of priests to all around us, reflecting God’s mercy, justice and love. Sometimes our ‘rights’ are not the most important thing in light of eternity.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 1:9).

Tracy Ainsworth