Daily Lectionary | Exodus 21 and Matthew 21:1-22

Exodus 21

Summary 

Having received the Ten Commandments, now Moses receives the ordinances associated with those commandments, writes them down, and delivers them to the people (Ex. 24:7). Beginning in chapter 21, we have specific case laws, each of which are applications of a more general principle. 

Israel has just been rescued from slavery, so the first case laws deal with slavery. We must understand that the conditions for slavery, when it is regulated in Old Testament law, are different from the sort of slavery that was part of the American South. That form of slavery was based on race and man-stealing, which is violation of the law: “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in poesssion of him, shall be put to death” (Ex. 21:16). Participating in such forced slavery is a capital offense. 

Slavery in the Bible is a result of sin and in no way reflects God’s creational intentions and is most often a form of indentured servitude. Just as provisions are made, however, for divorce, also not a part of God’s creational purposes, the Old Testament law regulates slavery. People may enter slavery to repay a debt or make restitution (Ex. 22:3). Hebrew slaves, however, could only serve for 6 years before reaching their sabbatical year of freedom. But if the servant is content to remain in the home, then he may do so, pledging himself to that household with his ear being pierced. 

The remainder of the chapter deals with violence. The principle “eye for eye” and “life for life” stands. Of note, Exodus 21:22-23, if a pregnant woman is struck, here life and the life of her child require justice. 

The principle of restitution is also highlighted in verses 33-36. If one’s negligence brings a cost to another, the negligent party shall make restitution.  

Reflection

Why do the ordinances begin with cases laws for slavery? Whose slave are the people of God to be ultimately? In the book of Philemon, Paul writes to Philemon and asks him receive back his bondservant Onesimus “no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother.” How does the gospel challenge and transform slavery and other forms of servitude?

Matthew 21:1-22

Summary

Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem immediately leads to his visitation of the Temple. He’s greeted as the Son of David, the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Jesus makes a royal entrance into the city as king. 

But he’s also the Lord who comes to the temple to inspect it. He doesn’t like what he finds! The temple had become a “den of robbers.” Jesus shows righteous anger, over-turns tables, and disrupts the temple economy. All of this will be a preview for what is to come. The temple will indeed be destroyed along with Jerusalem. 

Israel is a fig free. Jesus curses a fig tree that will never bear fruit again. 

Reflection

How does Jesus connect his mission with the temple? How had the temple become corrupt? How will Jesus ultimately cleanse the temple?