Ex 22 and 23: 1-9

I actually blogged on Friday regarding Ex 22 but somehow that got lost when trying to post it. Weird since it usually saves it as a draft and was frustrated since it was a relatively long one. 22 was interesting in that it dealt with making restitution when property - land, animals, precious metals were involved. Sometimes the issues required paying back double. The interesting verse to to me was v3 where if a man killed someone when he was robbed in daylight, he was guilty of bloodshed rather than v2 where it was ok. The rest of the chapter dealt with "social responsibilities" with a lot of one liners which ultimately ends with 31 where God claims them to be His holy people.

23: 1-9 deals with justice and mercy. A lot was emphasized with interpersonal or horizontal relationships. It expands upon the commandment of not bearing false witness against your neighbor. This also includes taking bribes as well. God really emphasizes not only the justice part but the mercy as well. He ends the section with not oppressing the alien given their history in Egypt. In essence, each of these rules of the road makes one "do the right thing" when it comes to dealing with people. To me, it really reinforces Micah 6:8.

Decent weekend, spent some good time with David and was able to share my heart on Sunday night. Prayers for him and Daniel, as well as the rest of the crew going to Vegas this coming weekend. Will be weird going from being solo at the apartment to an empty home in NJ this weekend. Still have a dental appointment at 1:25 PM which is smack in the middle of the day with a 40 min drive each way - ugh. At least this weekend, I will start the dreaded tax season and some other things I want to do around the house. If the coast were clear in the afternoon, I would have been tempted to sit in a movie theater all day and watch the best picture nominees which I haven't seen yet. Oh well....

Glad that GG got to spend some bonding time with his other cousins which he rarely sees this past weekend and that he got back to Denver ok yesterday as well.

Praise for today: Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Ps 37:3-4