LAYING DOWN THE LAW [part 1]

Exodus 21

Pastor Rick Jackson

After the giving of the 10 Commandments, which were a general overview of what God was giving, came the more specific cases and elaborations dealing with the 10. The next few chapters deal with specific types of the broad sins laid out in the 10 and punishment suitable for the law breakers. Throughout all this we should note several truths:

I. THE LAW WAS PRACTICAL

1. FOR A PEOPLE WITH NO POLICE

2. FOR A PEOPLE WITH NO PRISONS

II. THE LAW WAS PREVENTATIVE

1. IT PREVENTED "OVERKILL"

2. IT PREVENTED "ABUSE" (people getting away with their sins)

III. THE LAW WAS PROCLAMATIONAL

1. IT PROCLAIMED GOD'S HOLINESS & MAJESTY

2. IT PROCLAIMED GOD'S LOVING INTEREST & CARE
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I. Caring provision for the financially challenged [v. 1-11]

II. Capital punishment [v. 12-17]

-for premeditated murder [v. 12-14]
-for parental abuse [v. 15, 17]
-for kidnapping [v. 16]

III. Concise penalties [v. 18-

-for causing debt to be incurred [v. 18-19]
-for causing permanent bodily damage [v. 20-21, 26-27]
-for causing premature birth [v. 22-25]
-for negligence resulting in damage [v. 28-36]