Daily Lectionary | Exodus 22 & Matthew 22:23-end
Exodus 22
Summary
In Exodus 21, we have case laws about the sabbath and not murdering. Now in Exodus 22, the commandment of not stealing and not committing adultery come into view. Much of this chapter presumes the right of personal property that must be protected. If a thief trespasses, for example, the property owner has a right to defend the property in self-defense, so that if he strikes the offender and kills him, he is not held liable. Respect for other people’s property extends to ensuring your cattle or your fires do not destroy another property. If you borrow property from a neighbor and it is damaged or dies, then you are required to replace it. The guilty party must make full restitution.
In the next section, if a man sleeps with an unmarried woman, he should then get married. But if the father of the bride does not approve, then the man must still pay the dowry. Sorceress who mislead Israel’s worship, causing them to commit idolatry which is a spiritual adultery, must be put to death. Beastiality is capital offense The sexual nature of these laws is likely connected with a spiritual adultery, which is the greater concern throughout the Old Testament. “Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction” (Ex. 22:20).
Special favor must be given to the sojourner because Israel was a sojourner in Egypt. Along with sojourners, widows and orphans also must be treated well. Money should be lended to the poor among them at no interest.
The people must respect authority, not reviling God or cursing rulers among them. To show this respect for God’s supreme authority, they are not to delay in offering God from their harvest.
Reflection
Many of the Old Testament laws strike us as severe. Though these are case laws for a specific time and setting, they do reveal larger principles from the Ten Commandments and they reveal the character of God. How do these laws challenge us to think about the seriousness of things like property and theft, idolatry and adultery, and justice for the poor?
Matthew 21:23-end
Summary
Jesus has a showdown at the temple with the chief priests and elders. The issue is whether or not Jesus has the appropriate authority. Jesus stumps them with a question about the origin of John the Baptist’s authority. Jesus will not disclose the origin of his authority, but the point is clear: he comes as the true authority over the temple.
We’ve seen stories with two’s in Matthew Gospel. Two blind men were just healed in chapter 20 and Jesus heals two men with demons in chapter 8. Now there’s a parable of two sons. One son is commanded to work in the vineyard, refuses but then goes and works. The other son said he would go, but did not. Of course, the one who actually labored in the vineyard did the father’s will--not the one who paid lip service and disobeyed. The vineyard is the likened to Jesus’ kingdom. Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering in, the ones actually doing the will of the master. But those who said the right things, like Jesus’ religious opponents, did not.
Jesus then tells the parable of the tenants. The master leased the vineyard to tenants. He sent his servants to the tenants to get the fruit, but the tenants killed and abused his servants. He sent more servants and they did the same. Finally, he sends his son, whom they killed.
The Lord sent his prophets to his people, but they killed them. He sent his son, Jesus, whom they will also kill. Jesus is the rejected stone, but that stone will be building block of his kingdom. The kingdom is being taken away from Israel and given to others who will produce fruit.
Reflection
Consider how Jesus’ parables in this chapter are telling the story of Israel with Jesus and his mission as the fulfillment of that story.