How does God want us to live?

Review

Israel is wandering around the desert. They are complaining against Moses, but God keeps providing. They get to Mt Sinai where they will worship God and He speaks to them. Then they ask Him to stop, because they are scared of Him, and instead asks Him to speak through Moses.

You shall have no other gods before me

You shall not make for yourself an idol

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord

Remember the Sabbath

Honor your father and your mother

Do not murder

Do not commit adultery

Do not steal

Do not give false testimony

Do not covet what your neighbor has

Exodus 20:20 (NIV)

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”

How do we live so that our life does not miss the mark?

Sacrifice to God

On the seventh year set free your servants.

Anyone who kills another should be put to death, but if it’s not done intentionally give them a place to flee.

If you attack your mother or father, or kidnap another you should be put to death.

If you hit someone and they are confined to bed make it right. Pay the injured person what they have lost until they are healed.

If a pregnant woman is hit and the baby is injured that person is to suffer whatever injury the baby suffered.

If a bull attacks someone it’s to be killed an the owner is not held responsible UNLESS they knew the bull had a tendency for violence. Then the owner is held responsible. If one bull attacks another and it dies then sell the living bull and split the money.

If anyone digs a pit and an animal falls into it they must pay the owner for the loss.

If you steal and cannot give it back, then you owe x2 the amount. If you can’t pay the amount you should be taken into servitude.

A man who kills a thief after sunrise is guilty of bloodshed. If it’s in the night he is not.

If you sleep with a girl marry her and treat her well.

If you let your livestock graze in another’s field you must pay them.

If you set a fire and it ends up burning up another’s property you must pay restitution.

If you ask someone to keep something safe for you and something happens to it they aren’t required to pay you. However if you barrow something from someone and you can’t give it back you must make restitution.

Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner.

Do not take advantage of the widow or that fatherless. If you do God will kill you.

If you lend money to one who is needy charge no interest. If you take something they need as collateral give it back before they need it.

Do not curse the ruler of your people.

Do not hold back offerings.

Do not follow a crowd in doing wrong.

If you come across your enemy’s animal wondering off return it.

If you see the animal of someone you hate has fallen under it’s load, help it back up.

Give justice to all.

Do not accept a bribe.

Do not oppress a foreigner.

On the 7th year let the land rest. Allow the poor to eat what grows.

On the 7th day rest.

God gives them details of the Tabernacle, where He would reside, and the priest's garment.

Every thread represented something about our relationship with God. Remember they needed ways other than writing for the people to remember. They had oral tradition and ceremonies.