What’s With All of These Extra Rules?

We have found ourselves looking at a difficult passage. Anytime I preach, I put my focus on 1) what does this tell us about God 2) what does this say about man and 3) what does this mean for my life?

I want to ask one question today and then look at the passage so we can better understand the question itself. Why Do we need all of these extra rules?

When I consider rules, I think about all of the extra rules that we have for the law. Blake and I were recently discussing the difficulties when it comes to building codes. All sorts of things that don’t seem to make any sense. And yet, they are there for a reason because at some point, the individuals who create laws saw that need for some reason or another.

I’m just going to read the remainder of this chapter so you get an idea of what is going on. Stand with me as we read

Read Exodus 21:12-36

A Holy God Demands Righteous Living From His People

One of the thoughts that I’ve had throughout the week as I’ve studied for this sermon is that we should forever be astounded by the ways that God’s word is connected. The Ten Commandments are given but they are supported in various places throughout the scripture. If we look at the rationale behind why this Covenant code is given, we must look back to the nature of the Lord and His holiness.

In our call to worship this morning, we read from Psalm 33 and I want to revisit Psalm 33:5.

Psalm 33:5 ESV

He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the Lord.

Because the Lord loves righteousness and justice, the conduct of His people must align with this. But as I think about this standard that has been set before us, I can’t help but think of in eternity how cruel it would feel to know that we failed Him in some way because we didn’t have clarity on the way that we are to conduct ourselves. From chapter 21 through verse 19 of chapter 23, there is clarity provided on various aspects of commandments five through ten. Just a few examples for us are:

In the verses that we are covering today, the following topics are covered and additional details are given:

Capital crimes deserving death

Conduct between parents and children (v. 15 and 17)

Kidnapping (v. 16)

Injuries (v. 18-32)

Punishment measures for slaves (v. 20-21)

Injury of a pregnant woman (v. 22-23, a woman as a bystander)

Injury caused by an animal (v. 28-32)

Theft of animals (22:1-4)

Management of fields (22:5-6)

The lending of goods to others (22:7-15)

Rape (22:16-17)

Sorcery (22:18)

Beastiality (22:19)

Idolatry (22:20, 23:13)

Selfishness (22:21-27, 23:9)

Reviling Authority (22:28)

Delay in obeying (22:29-30)

Defiled Meat (22:31)

Justice (23:1-8, the 9th commandment)

Observing the feasts (23:10-17)

The second half of Psalm 33:5 makes mention of the steadfast love of the Lord. The steadfast love will bring us to the biggest reason why all of these extra rules have been included. This love is what leads us into the second point.

Because He Loves Us, He Has Given Us Additional Details

We ought to understand that the Old Testament law is the Old Covenant and we are no longer under that. However, Jesus says in Matthew 5:17

Matthew 5:17 ESV

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Which leads us to better understand that the whole law, according to Matthew 22 that the whole law is dependent on just two things: the love of God and the love of neighbor.

All of what has been covered in this lengthy passage is included in these two commands from Jesus. Every little detail is covered in those two commands. Yet, there are details throughout the bible on how we are to conduct ourselves because the Lord loves us.

In regards to loving one another, according to Romans 13:8 reminds us that we love one another when we adhere to the law of God.

Romans 13:8 ESV

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

We have a responsibility to our brothers and sisters. There is value in putting the love that God has for us on display for those who we interact with on a daily basis. Not only does it prove who He is but it also completes the idea that the 10th verse in that same chapter communicates. Romans 13:10.

Because of His love, the Lord has given us a perfect law. Psalm 19:7-9 explains as much. This is much of why there is so much detail included in these verses.

Psalm 19:7–9 ESV

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

But even this law has been given to us by grace as John explains in John 1:16-17.

John 1:16–17 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Finally, any time we speak of the love of God, it is vital that we turn our attention to the ultimate love that He has shown for us. Romans 5:7-8 says

While these two verses don’t explicitly mention the law, it does speak of the fulfillment of the law and the creation of a New Covenant where sacrifices are no longer needed for salvation. Just confession and belief that transforms our lives because of faith in the true and living God.

So we’ve looked at the demand for righteousness and love that God has for us but this doesn’t fully answer the question at hand. So why was there a need for anything extra beyond just the 10 commandments and why does the New Testament go beyond loving God and loving neighbor?

God Knows That Mankind is Prone to Wander and Loves Loopholes

God created us. He formed us and knows our very core. This includes the propensity to sin. We have a tendency to try and find ways around certain rules and loopholes all too often. If we were to look back over the sections of verses that are covered in this passage, it will be clear that so much of what is included is there because the Lord knew the hearts of the people.

For instance, Exodus 21:16 speaks of kidnapping. This is necessary to include because “you shall not murder” doesn’t specifically address kidnapping. And the argument could be made that “you shall not steal” is only in reference to physical belongings rather than actual people. So the Lord includes the details here in order to set the record straight.

Now, I do need to point out that there are still actions that may not expressly be pointed out in this covenant code. To inquire about these things would only further point our our need and desire to find things that might not be included so that we don’t need to feel the guilt.

Regardless, it is true that we will bend over backwards at certain points to justify our own sin when the truth is that it is still in violation of how the Lord desires for His people to live.

So, what do we do with all of this? How do we respond?

My hope is that as we are faced with the demand for righteousness, the love of God, and our own nature, that we would