20:18-26

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Correct attitudes in worship

(Ex 20:18-26)

Moses was satisfied when he saw that the people, having witnessed the frightening events connected with God’s coming to Mount Sinai, were suitably humbled. They became aware of their shortcomings and at the same time developed a greater fear of God (Ex 20:18-21).

People were to show a similarly humble attitude when they built altars at places of God’s special revelation (e.g. Ex 17:14-16). Because Israel was a wandering people, such altars were not to be permanent; because Israel was a sinful people, the altars were not to be lavish.

They were to consist of simply a mound of earth or a heap of loose rocks, depending on which material was available in the region. The altars were not to be so high that they required steps, in order to avoid any immodesty that might occur if people lifted up their robes while climbing the steps (Ex 20:22-26; cf. Ex 28:42-43).

Characteristics of Hebrew laws

Hebrew laws were mainly of two kinds. The first kind we have met in the Ten Commandments. These were absolute standards, usually in the negative (e.g. ‘You shall not steal’).

The second kind, which we shall meet repeatedly in the next three chapters, consisted of laws that probably resulted from cases where Moses or his assistants had given judgments, and those judgments now became standards for use in future cases (e.g. ‘If a man borrows anything from his neighbour, and it is hurt or dies . . . he shall make full restitution’).

Laws of the first kind may be considered basic principles; those of the second kind, the application of those principles to specific circumstances.

When reading the Hebrew law code, we should remember that it was designed to suit the cultural and social habits of the time. It’s purpose was to maintain order and administer justice among a people whose way of life was already established.

For example, it did not immediately outlaw slavery, for the social, economic and political order of the age was so constructed that slavery could not be instantly abolished. But Hebrew law introduced attitudes of consideration for the welfare of others that were unknown in most other ancient cultures, and so began the process that eventually brought an end to slavery.

Hebrew law was in some ways similar to other law codes of the ancient world, but it also had some important differences. A fundamental requirement was that the punishment had to fit the crime. There was not the brutality found in some ancient nations, where punishments were out of all proportion to the crime (Ex 21:22-25; Deut 25:3).

Also, justice was the same for everyone, regardless of status. Laws did not favour the upper classes, but guaranteed a fair hearing for all (Ex 23:3,6; Lev 19:15).

In particular the Hebrew law code protected the rights of the defenceless and disadvantaged, such as the poor (Ex 23:6), foreigners (Ex 23:9), widows and orphans (Ex 22:22), debtors who sold themselves into slavery (Ex 21:1-11) and even those who were born slaves (Ex 23:12).

The basic reason for these differences was no doubt that the Hebrew law came from God, a fact that is stated repeatedly. Legal, moral and religious matters were not separated as in some law codes, for in the community of God’s people all areas of life were relevant to each other.

The people viewed everything in the light of their understanding of God and their relation to him.

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