God Gives His Law on Mount Sinai
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murderer of a slave was to be punished; an injury inflicted upon one
by his master, though no more than the loss of a tooth, entitled him to
his freedom.
The Israelites were to beware of indulging the spirit of cruelty from
which they had suffered under their Egyptian taskmasters. The memory
of their own bitter servitude should enable them to put themselves in
the servant’s place, to be kind and compassionate.
The rights of widows and orphans were specially guarded. “If thou
afflict them in any wise,” the Lord declared, “and they cry at all unto
Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath shall wax hot, and I will
kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your
children fatherless.” Aliens who united themselves with Israel were
to be protected from wrong or oppression. “Thou shalt not oppress a
stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers
in the land of Egypt.”
The taking of usury from the poor was forbidden. A poor man’s
raiment or blanket taken as a pledge must be restored to him at nightfall.
Judges were warned against perverting judgment, aiding a false cause,
or receiving bribes. Slander was prohibited, and acts of kindness
enjoined even toward personal enemies.
The people were reminded of the sacred obligation of the Sabbath.
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 firstfruits of His bounties. The object of all these regulations
was stated: all were given for the good of Israel. The Lord said, “Ye
shall be holy men unto Me.”
These laws were to be recorded by Moses and carefully treasured
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as the foundation of the national law, and, with the ten precepts, the
condition of the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.
The message was now given, “Behold, I send an Angel before
thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I
have prepared. Beware of Him, and obey His voice, provoke Him not.”
Christ in the pillar of cloud and of fire was their Leader. While there
were types pointing to a Saviour to come, there was also a present
Saviour, who gave commands to Moses for the people and was set
forth before them as the only channel of blessing.