Exodus 22:16-28 - Homiletics

The severity and the tenderness of God.

The miscellaneous laws thrown together, without any clear logical sequence or indeed any manifest connection, in the latter part of this chapter, may, generally speaking, be grouped under the two heads of instances of the Divine severity, and instances of the Divine tenderness. Here, as in so many places, "mercy and truth meet together—righteousness and peace kiss each other." God is as merciful to the weak and helpless as severe towards the bold and stubborn evil-doer. If his justice is an inalienable attribute, so is his kindness and compassion. The twofold aspect of the Divine Nature is steadily kept before us by an arrangement in which its opposite sides are presented to our contemplation alternately.

I. INSTANCES OF THE DIVINE SEVERITY .

1 . "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" ( Exodus 22:18 ).

2 . "Whoso lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death" ( Exodus 22:19 ).

3 . "He that sacrifices to any god, save unto the Lord on]y, he shall be utterly destroyed" ( Exodus 22:20 ).

4 . "Thou shalt not revile the gods (God) nor curse the ruler of thy people" ( Exodus 22:28 ). In these utterances it is Justice that makes itself heard, wrath that manifests itself, severity that gives strict rules for human conduct, and threatens tremendous penalties in case of their infringement.

II. INSTANCES OF THE DIVINE TENDERNESS .

1 . "Thou shalt neither vex a stranger nor oppress him" ( Exodus 22:21 ).

2 . "Ye shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child" ( Exodus 22:22 ).

3 . "Thou shalt not lend thy money unto any of my people that is poor upon usury" ( Exodus 22:25 ).

4 . "Thou shalt not take thy neighbour's raiment to pledge" ( Exodus 22:26 ). The Divine protection is extended especially over four classes of persons.