God’s Laws: Stay Free of Impurity, Usury and Idolatry
No Impurity
No Usury
No Idolatry
DBF, Exodus 22:16-31, 1/5/02
This world and the Prince of this world indeed calls us to many things, none of which are purity.
This world tells us and encourages us to do whatever must be done to succeed…
We are told all is fair in love and war…
We are told that whatever we feel is OK…
We are told if it feels good, do it…
I guess most people who have truly accepted Christ look at the above list and prayerfully remember when they bought into these statements of belief and when these statements became the deception that they know them now to be.
Satan has a way of allowing us to hear these half-truths and take them as full truths.
What he is actually saying is:
Do whatever you must to succeed in this world…because it will not make any difference in your eternity in Hell and Damnation.
All is fair in love and war, because you will hurt and be hurt and you deserve to get whatever sick pleasure you may here…because there will be no pleasure during your eternity in Hell.
Well if you feel angry it is OK, if you feel aggressive that is OK, if you feel like murdering that is OK…yet once you did and spend eternity in Hell that’s OK too.
If it feels good, do it…yet you will feel horrible when you consider the sinfulness of your ways, your innocence that is now gone, the price others paid for your good feelings and the eternity you will surely spend in Hell if you do not call upon the Lord of Lords.
God’s law does call all who are “set apart” unto HIM to a different level of truth and to purity for HIS names sake, to bring honor and glory to God who is fully deserving of all glory, honor and praise.
This series of miscellaneous laws reveals God’s concern for humanity and His desire that people not be exploited. This includes virgins (vv. 16-17; see Deut. 22:23-24), foreigners in the land (v. 21), widows (vv. 22-24), and the poor (vv. 25-27). God promises to hear the cries of those who are wronged and defend the poor and oppressed.
Witches and wizards were not permitted to live because they were in league with the demonic powers that operated in the godless religions of the nations around Israel. See Lev. 19:31, 20:27 and Deut. 18:9-12. Modern occult practices are an invitation for Satan to go to work and destroy lives.
God also condemned sexual intercourse with animals (see Lev. 20:15-16; Deut. 27:21). Not only were these practices a part of the heathen worship of idols, but they debased human sexuality which is a precious gift from God.
The people were to respect their rulers and refrain from cursing them, even as they would refrain from cursing God. According to Romans 13, the powers that be are ordained of God. If we curse a leader, we are in danger of cursing the God who established the authority of human government.
Verses 29-31 get to the heart of obeying the law: put God first in your life and gladly obey what He says. This is the OT version of Matt. 6:33.
Let’s look at some things that God’s Law in Exodus forbade HIS people from doing and learn that we may daily draw nearer and nearer to Jesus Christ our Lord.
No Impurity
Exodus 22:16-20 (KJV)
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. [17] If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
[18] Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.
[19] Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
[20] He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
No one ever comes up to me and says Pastor Bruce or Probation Officer Bruce, can I do this or that?
No they try it and when they get caught then they say “Well I didn’t know that that was illegal or wrong to do. After the second or third one I noticed what would probably be a pattern, and that pattern goes on still today.
You see, we say we do not know the rules then we can more freely exercise or freedom to do that which we are seeking to do. Since this flesh yearns after things that are of this world, then that is normally the direction we head into.
That is unless we have truly come to know Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. That is the only time that we will truly start to seek after the things of God, learning the word and law of God.
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. [17] If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins…God truly shows HIS concern for humanity and in this case women in their youth. God who knows the heart of man…a heart that has not changed in the 3000 plus years that this word has been written knew that it is the way of men apart from God to entice maids.
This has not changed in our society today, because several Health Care Notices states that teen pregnancy is at epidemic proportions. Most or single mothers…indicating that the men are still enticing young girls into bed without any moral obligation behind their actions.
God was opposed to this for the nation of Israel and HE is opposed to this action today. This action would take a pure young women and brings her into impurity.
What of the young women who finally meets the right Christian young man and has to tell him that he will not be the first man she has been with. Her tears and his tears together cannot erase this simple act on the part of someone who is no longer in the picture.
God even offered an alternative, if a man did this then he was required to marry the young lady, if her father refused then the man committing the act was to pay the required amount. The amount in Genesis 34:12 was whatever the amount asked by the father.
We in the Church are the body of Christ, as such we should be concerned with our own purity and protection from impurity. Christ died to “set us apart” so that we by the grace of God would have direct assess to God. We have the ability through HIS stripes to walk in a manner that brings honor and glory to God. Let us do so.
[18] Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live…I know that most parents who’s children are into the Harry Potter frenzy are a little nervous now.
Before I say anything, I will let God say a few words:
Leviticus 19:31 (KJV)
Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 20:6 (KJV)
And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.
Leviticus 20:27 (KJV)
A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Deut. 18:10 (KJV)
There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
1 Samuel 15:23 (KJV)
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Have you noticed any particular theme here? God continues:
2 Kings 9:22 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, Is it peace, Jehu? And he answered, What peace, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother Jezebel and her witchcrafts are so many?
2 Kings 21:6 (KJV)
And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
Have you noticed any white or black or different color magic or lies??? God continues:
2 Kings 23:24 (KJV)
Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord.
1 Chron. 10:13 (KJV)
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
2 Chron. 33:6 (KJV)
And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
God tells HIS people from the very beginning of times to have no association with things of darkness, of which, witches and wizards are chief.
In our politically correct age, we can call Christians any manner of things and make jokes about them continually, but do not say anything against a witch or wizard. After all it’s only fun, shows and movies…
Well, the God of the Bible and the God of my Life did not feel that way. If HE says it in the Bible, HE means for it to be practiced in my life and in yours.
[19] Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death... If this most abominable crime in God’s sight had not been common, it never would have been mentioned in a sacred code of laws. The practices of witchcraft, sexual acts with animals (Ex 22:19), and sacrificing to other gods (Ex 22:20) were probably all connected with Canaanite fertility worship. Note the parallel in Rom 1:18-32.
What amazes me is that the very real problem of HIV/AIDS is believed to have been caused by this practice. Isn’t it amazing that God, in HIS infinite wisdom had given HIS people HIS law to prevent such things from occurring.
We are blessed if we follow God’s directives in our lives, but we can plainly see that we are cursed if we do not. Let us be about following God in our lives and actions.
[20] He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed...God calls us to beware of False Worship. In its essence sin perverts good things. We are always in danger of placing some person or object in the place of supreme worship that belongs to God alone. In Scripture, worship always has God as the object.
No Usury
Exodus 22:21-27 (KJV)
Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
[22] Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. [23] If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; [24] And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.
[25] If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. [26] If thou at all take thy neighbour’s raiment to pledge, thou shalt deliver it unto him by that the sun goeth down: [27] For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he crieth unto me, that I will hear; for I am gracious.
neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt…God tells Israel and us to love their neighbors as themselves because they should remember that they were once strangers in the land. You know, we as Christians who are only aliens by “rebirth” should not be so compelled to protect the things which God gives us by HIS grace and hand.
[22] Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. [23] If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; [24] And my wrath shall wax hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless…God insisted that Israel be concerned about groups such as widows, orphans, and the poor.
Is this something we see today? Is this an outreach we do as a Christian or a Church? It should be.
Many of our most needy families today are these widows and fatherless children. These suffer because of neglect or oppression by the rich and powerful.
Our all-powerful God is compassionate and identifies with these oppressed groups just as He identified with the suffering Hebrews in Egypt.
Then God speaks of Usury, defined as “The sum paid for the use of money, hence interest; not, as in the modern sense, exorbitant interest. The Jews were forbidden to exact usury (Lev. 25:36, 37), only, however, in their dealings with each other (Deut. 23:19, 20). The violation of this law was viewed as a great crime (Ps. 15:5; Prov. 28:8; Jer. 15:10). After the Return, and later, this law was much neglected (Neh. 5:7, 10)”.
Again we see God’s care for individuals in that if a cloak were taken as a pledge it must be returned prior to the evening to provide protection and a covering for HIS people.
Do you know God still cares for you as much today?
No Idolatry
Exodus 22:28-31 (KJV)
Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
[29] Thou shalt not delay to offer the first of thy ripe fruits, and of thy liquors: the firstborn of thy sons shalt thou give unto me. [30] Likewise shalt thou do with thine oxen, and with thy sheep: seven days it shall be with his dam; on the eighth day thou shalt give it me.
[31] And ye shall be holy men unto me: neither shall ye eat any flesh that is torn of beasts in the field; ye shall cast it to the dogs.
I would place verse 20 in line with this also because it is part of our purity and it calls us to be free of idolatry. You see God calls each and every person to a special relationship with HIM.
In that relationship, because of our love for God we will be subject to the authority that HE places over us. We will bring our best to GOD.
God calls us to be HOLY.
Are you in need of being HOLY unto God today? Do you recognize that things aren’t the way that you feel God intends them to be for you and your family?
If today you desire to come to a true understanding of the love that we are all called too then I ask you to consider your life.
Do you see that you have hurt others and yourself?
Jesus loves you anyway. Jesus desires for you to come to HIM and confess your sinfulness. Jesus stands at your hearts door today and knocks—only you can let HIM in.
If this is the wish of your heart today then come forward. We would love to pray with you to ask Jesus into your heart and life today.
You can leave here today a new creation capable of the love of Christ. I pray that you will come today.
Remember, Jesus Loves You and so do we. We would love to pray for you or anyone in your family, please let us know. Continue to strive for the light that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Closing Prayer.
Bruce Landry
Dillingham Bible Fellowship, ranger1401@hotmail.com
Witchcraft, 2231
divination associated with idolatrous worship and demonic powers
Exodus 22:18
Leviticus 19:31
Leviticus 20:6
Leviticus 20:27
Deuteronomy 18:10
1 Samuel 15:23
1 Samuel 28:3
1 Samuel 28:7
2 Kings 9:22
2 Kings 21:6
2 Kings 23:24
1 Chronicles 10:13
2 Chronicles 33:6
Isaiah 8:19
Isaiah 19:3
Isaiah 29:4
Mic 5:12
Nahum 3:4
Galatians 5:20
