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God Gives His Law on Mount Sinai
193
of God’s Ten Commandments. Additional instruction was given,
illustrating and applying these principles. These laws were called
“judgments” because the magistrates were to give judgment accord-
ing to them. Unlike the Ten Commandments, they were delivered
privately to Moses.
The first of these related to servants. A Hebrew could not be sold
as a slave for life. His service was limited to six years and on the
seventh he was to be set free. The holding of non-Israelites as slaves
was permitted, but their life and person were strictly guarded. The
murderer of a slave was to be punished, and an injury inflicted on a
slave by his master, even if no more than the loss of a tooth, entitled
him to his freedom.
The Israelites were to be careful not to indulge the spirit of cru-
elty like that which they had suffered under their Egyptian taskmas-
ters. The memory of their own bitter experience should enable
them to put themselves in the servant’s place, and to be kind and
compassionate.
The rights of widows and orphans were specially guarded. “If
you afflict them in any way,” the Lord declared, “and they cry at all
to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot,
and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and
your children fatherless.” Foreigners who united themselves with
Israel were to be protected from wrong or oppression. “You shall
not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because
you were strangers in the land of Egypt.”
Charging interest on a loan to the poor was forbidden. A poor
person’s garment or blanket taken as a pledge for a loan must be
given back at evening time. Judges were warned against perverting
justice, aiding a false cause, or receiving bribes. Slander was pro-
hibited, and acts of kindness were required even toward personal
enemies.
The people were reminded of the sacred obligation of the Sab-
bath. Yearly feasts were appointed, at which all the men of the nation
were to assemble before the Lord, bringing to Him their offerings of
gratitude and the first fruits of His provision of crops. The purpose
of all these regulations was stated—all were given for the good of
Israel. The Lord said, “You shall be holy men to Me.”