Careful Observance

Careful Observance Exodus 23:10-32 Context • Today, we complete “The Book of the Covenant” • God continues to expand on the 10 Commandments and concludes with a forward look to the completion of these commands – a new society living in a new land. • The passage today splits into two parts: 1. A Worship Guide: Laws Sabbaths and Festivals 2. An Epilogue: Encouragement to Trust A Worship Guide (23:10-19) 1. God Commands a Life of Trust A. Rest for the land (10-11) B. Rest for all (12) C. Credit to God (13) 2. God Commands Seasons of Worship A. Three festivals of “holy convocation” B. The festival fall conveniently around the agricultural seasons, but redemption is the primary marker. C. Worship is defined by sacrifice (v. 15), purity (v. 18), wholeheartedness (v. 19a), and absolute devotion (v. 19b). An Epilogue (23:20-33) 1. The Angel’s Perpetual Presence A. Exodus 13:22-23 – Perpetually with the people B. Exodus 14:19 – Protection during the Red Sea crossing C. Numbers 14:14 – Testimony to the nations 2. The Angel’s Identity A. “He will not pardon your transgression” – see Isaiah 43:25; Mark 2:7; Psalm 130:4 B. “My name is in Him” – Yahweh, the name by which God appeared to Moses and to the people (Exodus 3:15) An Epilogue (23:20-33) 3. The Angel’s Promise (23-33) A. The angel is a promise of success in the impossible military challenges that lie ahead. B. Success lies not in skill or cunning, but in “careful” obedience (see 2 Chronicles 20) C. God promises both internal blessings for Israel (v. 25) and unseen, almost irrational flight from her enemies (v. 28). Lessons • God’s worship calendar teaches us that life is so much more than accumulation, it’s about magnifying God in the enjoyment of His grace (see Ecclesiastes 9:7-9) • God’s angel underscores the need for miraculous regeneration within (see Ephesians 2:1-7). • God’s leading, though mysterious at times, is always triumphant (see 2 Corinthians 2:14)