Exodus 22

Bible Passage:  Exodus 22

Continuing on from Chapter 21, we are now in Chapter 22 (duh..), whereby we see more laws being covered. In today’s chapter, there are two main laws being covered: (1) Laws concerning property and (2) laws concerning moral and ceremonial principles (at least that’s how they’re classified in my Bible).

I’ll just be covering today’s entry in two parts, or rather two main things that caught my attention, starting off by touching on a certain commandment that I feel many people often tend to overlook…

Laws Concerning Property (Verses 1 – 15)

I won’t be going into the details of each and every law stated here, simply because, I don’t think I’ll be able to in such a short span of time writing this and in this form of communication (though I probably won’t do much better talking either)..

Anyway, as I read this part, I couldn’t help but think back to Chapter 20 when the Big Ten were introduced. And you know, the first five are definitely big (the ones concerning loving God and our parents). And of course, we always focus on murder, adultery, theft and bearing false witness.

However, in my opinion, the tenth one somehow never really gets a lot of limelight. And that is…

You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servants, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s – Exodus 20 v. 17

Honestly, sometimes, the tenth commandment doesn’t seem too big as compared to murders or adultery, and probably even “easy” to avoid committing. But well, it IS in the Big Ten. And in the context of today’s passage, sure it might have mentioned a lot on theft. But why did I choose to share on covetousness?

In today’s world (standard General Paper opening line for a paragraph), there are just so many new and cool inventions and gadgetry that are very attractive and are the object of many people’s desires to possess. A new car… The latest notebook computer… A flying carpet! (Editor’s note: Slap the guy who suggested this)

We can be very easily tempted to have these things. But well, I’m sure we have a level of self control there. But what if someone we know has it? How would you feel? Jealous? Having a desire to have that same thing? If you do, just think.. Don’t you think that’s already tantamount to being covetous for that thing? If already in the Bible, it’s clearly stated that looking at a woman lustfully is committing adultery in the heart, or just hating someone can be the beginning of murder (Matthew 5: 21-30), what about just simply desire to have something you don’t have but others do?

What do you think?

After all, I feel that although this commandment might be placed “last” on the list, it is somehow the potential catalyst for some of the other sins. If we never coveted for anything, would we be tempted to steal it? Devise a way to kill someone to get it? Give in to lust to commit adultery with a woman? Or lie your way to your goal?

This kinda brings the saying that if we break one of the commandments, we have broken all to a whole new level..

If we never coveted for anything, would there be any need to devise some scheme to get what we want?

Laws Concerning Moral and Ceremonial Principles

Again, not going into the details.. But I’d like to highlight a couple of verses in this section…

If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest – v.25

You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me – v. 29

Somehow, I feel this kinda links to the first point on covetousness.

When we are called upon to help others in need, whether it be fellow brethren or people outside, we should do it out of a willing heart. We must be very careful that we do not have any ulterior motives in doing so. Is there something that we might be coveting out of this act of kindness? Do we intend in our hearts to charge some sort of “interest” to this person in need? It’s bad enough already to covet something from the rich and well-to-do, but boy is it terrible to even covet something from the poor and needy!

And for the second one, what has it got to do with God?

Maybe coveting for something doesn’t always endanger us of committing murder, theft, adultery and lying. But probably, coveting for something like success in work would drive us to work hard and slave out those extra hours and/or days to reach that goal. Eventually, it’s gonna eat into our Sabbath.. If we were to become like this, so preoccupied with our desires, isn’t gonna take our time away from God?

Isn’t it gonna endanger us of being unable to offer up ourselves to God to the fullest? Not to mention even at least a little bit of our time? Aren’t we in danger of breaking yet another commandment? (Hint: No. 4, and maybe No. 2 in a rather abstract way)

Indeed, as all sins are, covetousness is a very dangerous sin.

We have to be wary of what is in our hearts and minds with respect to material possessions. Being covetous really can, and have caused many people to commit other sins. Although there are obviously things that we probably need to just survive, there are definitely other things that we don’t really need, but it’s just the object of people’s desires.. I’ll leave it to you to think what are these things that are directly related to you and your life..

But as Christians, there’s something else we should set our hearts and minds towards, which is mentioned in these verses I’ll be leaving you with…

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things – Colossians 3 v. 1-2