February 8th

Exodus 22:16-24:18

We learned more of the civil laws, including the law of the seventh or sabbatical year for the land to rest, as well as for the annual festivals. We also witnessed God’s promise to Israel regarding Canaan and Israel’s promise to God regarding their covenant with Him. Finally, Moses, Aaron and his sons, and seventy of Israel’s leaders shared a meal together in God’s presence!

I found it interesting today that, in Exodus 23, God gave the Israelites instructions for how to live in Canaan, their future home; and then, in Exodus 24, He made a covenant with them. At first glance, it may seem that these two events are not related but they are.

Regarding the people of Canaan, the Israelites were “not to make treaties with them”; neither were they “to have anything to do with their gods.” In fact, the Lord said, “Do not even let them live among you. If you do, then they will infect you with their sin of idol worship and that would be disastrous” (23:32, 33).

Why did God give these strict warnings? They were directly related to the covenant which they made with Him. By entering into this covenant, the people were committing to worship only the Lord, never to make or bow down to idols or images, and to obey His laws (20:1-21). If they did these things, they would become God’s “own special treasure from among the nations, a kingdom of priests, His holy nation” (19:5, 6).

Simply by worshiping one God, the Israelites would be different than the Canaanite tribes, who worshipped many gods. They were the only people to bear the mark of a covenant in their flesh (circumcision); and, the Lord’s laws were peculiar — their diet, their sacrifices, their festivals, their Sabbath, etc. With all these things, the Israelites would be set apart for sure.

Daily Reflection

It has always been God’s desire for His people to be set apart from the people of the world. Why do you think that is?

Relate God’s warnings to Israel regarding Canaan to your interaction with the world.

God warned Israel not to make treaties with the Canaanites or have anything to do with their gods. You must be cautious, when living in this world, not to compromise faith for its goods, for there are many of the world’s goods that will become your gods, if you’re not careful. Don’t let it infect you with its sins or idols.

The Lord has called you to be separate, to stand out from the darkness here, to be in the world but not of the world. Have the gods of this world infected you? Have they caused you to compromise your faith?

BiAY.org |Day 39 — 326 Days to Go