Day 42: Moral Laws

 Today's readings: Exodus 24, Leviticus 17-18, and Psalm 78.

I. In Exodus chapter 24, we find that God and Israel are spiritually bonded together, with the latter consecrated to service for the former, renouncing all other gods. It ends with Moses going up Mt. Sinai to commune with God, where he remained for "forty days and forty nights" (24:18).

II. In Leviticus chapter 17, we have laws on the proper handling of animal blood. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

Sacrificial animals processed for food (oxen, sheep, goats) may not be slaughtered outside the Tabernacle; they must be offered to the Lord, and their blood applied to the altar, before any meat can be eaten (17:1-9). Wild animals hunted as game (deer, gazelle, quails) can be eaten as food so long as their blood is first poured on the ground and covered (17:10-16). These precepts are enjoined not only on Israelites but also on sojourners - people of other ethnic backgrounds who dwell among the covenant people... (p. 205)

Black pudding, like the British or Irish enjoy eating, would have horrified the Israelites and been against what God commanded of them (17:10-12).

In Leviticus chapter 18, it begins with God telling Moses that Israel will not live as they do in Egypt and Canaan, but will instead follow His commands on proper behavior. This starts with a list of prohibitions against sexual immorality, from family relations to women who are not one's wife, to homosexual activities. Probably one of the best on this list, not a sexual perversion in itself as I see it, is a command to not sacrifice one's child to the demon god Molech (18:21). How anyone could do that with their child boggles the mind.

We find different types of laws in the Old Testament, some of which we see foreshadowings of future things under Christ, and others which are still binding upon us today. As the BIY Companion, Vol 1, notes:

There are three kinds of laws in the Old Testament: laws that govern society, particularly the kingdom of Israel; laws regarding proper worship; and laws regarding morality. Since neither the kingdom of Israel (as constituted in the Old Testament) nor the Temple exist any longer, the first two types of laws are no longer necessary. The moral law, however, retains its force. (p. 92)

III.  Psalm 78 is one of remembrance. As the Ignatius Bible notes:

It reviews biblical history from the Exodus to the election of David, highlighting a recurring pattern: (1) the Lord performs "glorious deeds" for his people (78:4); (2) his people prove faithless (78:22...) and rebellious (78:8...); (3) the Lord's anger is provoked (78:21...); and yest (4) the Lord forgives and offers his people another chance for blessing (78:38). Readers are challenged to learn from the mistakes of past generations, lest they forget the works of God and forsake his covenant (78:7-8...). The psalm follows the canonical story of the Pentateuch and Historical Books and at several points echoes the Song of Moses in Deut 32:1-43. (p. 896)

You know, with some changes to the details, this psalm and the notes here sound a lot like Christian history...

That's it for today!