Exodus 23.
IN all the laws given to us in this section of God’s Word, one may be impressed with the righteousness and justice displayed in them, and can thus take lessons from, them, remembering that although we are living in a day that is called in God’s Word, “The day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:22(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) (2 Corinthians 6:2)), and thus is a day of grace, and not of law, yet, God’s character is unchanged, and instead of Him expecting less from us who are His own now, than He did in those days, He expects more, seeing He has forgiven us freely all our sins through His grace, He expects us to be showing grace even to those who do us wrong.
Then again they were not to be greedy, and think that they would gain more by working their land seven years. God tells them, in verses 10 and 11, to sow their land for six years, and let the land rest the seventh year.
In verse 12, they were to work six days and rest the seventh, so that their animals may rest also. This is ever true for this creation, and the one who recognizes it will reap a benefit instead of losing by it.
For us who are Christians, it is not a question of the Sabbath, which is the seventh day of the week, for we are not on Jewish ground, and there is no rest for us while we are here, but “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Heb. 4:99There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. (Hebrews 4:9). We have the first day of the week, which is the resurrection day, the day the Lord rose from the dead, the day the Church was formed, and the day the disciples’ broke bread, remembering the Lord in His death; and is called in Scripture, “The Lord’s day.” So, we should use it for Him, and not for ourselves; and if we are farmers our animals would get their rest, but we might be more tired at the close of that day, serving the Lord, than on any other day for it is marked as His, and we should not, therefore, use that day for our pleasure and thus rob the Lord.
Then there is another thing that is very needful to remember, when they gave their land rest, it should be left for the poor to get whatever it produced. They were to think of the poor, and help them all they could.
Let us, who know the Lord as our own Saviour, not live just for ourselves, but remember how the Lord has done for us, and seek to show His kindness to others who are in need. The selfish life of so many is the cause of much sorrow in this world.
ML 03/26/1922