Alignment
Read This Week: Exodus 22
If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. – Exodus 22:25-27 NIV
Exodus 22 outlines justice, restitution, and compassion precepts. It encourages us to align our lives with the guiding moral, ethical, and spiritual principles of God’s word. The chapter begins with detailed laws concerning property and theft. For instance, if a thief is caught stealing, they must repay multiple times the value of what they took. This principle of restitution emphasizes accountability over mere punishment. Instead of imprisonment or physical retribution, the offender is required to make amends directly to the victim. In our justice systems today, how often do we prioritize restoration over punishment? Restorative justice practices, which focus on repairing harm and rebuilding relationships, align with this biblical principle.
The chapter also includes laws that safeguard the rights of women, widows, orphans, and foreigners – groups who were particularly vulnerable. For example, the seduction of a virgin carries specific penalties, ensuring her dignity and security are upheld. The text also issues stern warnings against oppressing widows, orphans, or non-native people, with God personally pledging to intervene against those who exploit them.
These verses remind us of the importance of protecting marginalized communities. Whether through policies that ensure equal opportunities or grassroots efforts to support those in need, these commands encourage us to reflect God’s justice in our treatment of others.
The chapter concludes with regulations about fair lending practices, respect for God and community leaders, and the dedication of the firstborn to God. Lending without charging interest to people experiencing poverty illustrates compassion and solidarity. The commands about offering the firstborn demonstrate acknowledgment of God’s provision and lordship.
This section challenges us to examine how we handle resources and power. We make choices around lending a helping hand to those in need without exploiting them. The Scriptures call us to give back to God and others with gratitude and trust. Similarly, we see that justice is relational. The emphasis on restitution shows that justice is not about abstract rules but restoring relationships. When harm occurs, we should make every effort to heal and reconcile, not merely punish and pay back.
God’s heart for the poor and marginalized is evident in His severe warnings against exploitation. Societies that neglect the needs of the weak betray the moral order that underpins healthy communities. Laws against charging interest to the poor or keeping a neighbor’s cloak overnight as collateral (verses 25–27) are acts of compassion embedded in justice. These laws remind us that humanity and dignity should never be sacrificed for profit or convenience.
We have a responsibility as Christian citizens to focus on restitution and reconciliation rather than retribution alone. We have a responsibility to the least of these in the community to serve others and support widows, orphans, foreigners, and people in need. We are also responsible for approaching giving and financial decisions with a mindset of generosity and fairness, reflecting God’s compassion. We must recognize that everything we have comes from Father God while using our resources to bless others and advance His purposes.
Exodus 22 calls us to pursue justice that heals, to show compassion that uplifts, and to build communities rooted in care and respect. By aligning our lives with these principles, we honor Christ and contribute to a world where His love and mercy are reflected in our daily interactions.
Exodus 22 verse 22
I got a poem and it’s called it a heart for the vulnerable!!
Do not turn your heart away from those who have no voice to say, the widow weeps, the orphans sighs beneath the weight of silent cries. Their hope is weak, their strength is worn by grief and loss, their hearts are torn, but God who sees and knows each tear, command that we draw them near. To lift them up, to stand with Grace, and walk beside them in their place. For when we help the least of these, we honor God, who gives us peace. To show God‘s love, to do his will.
What this means to me is
This poem reflects the call to care for the most vulnerable. The widows and orphans, With compassion and justice, following God’s commands to treat them with dignity and respect.
Exodus Chapter 22 Verse 20
He who sacrifices to any God but the Lord only shall be utterly destroyed.
Exodus Chapter 22 Verse 28
You shall not revile God [the judge’s as His agents] or esteem lightly or curse a ruler of your people.
Exodus Chapter 22 Verse 31
And you shall be holy men [consecrated] to Me; therefore, you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beast in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs.
~ Justice and Social Responsibility~
God Is Saying To Me:
I give clear instructions to turn away from your own ways no matter what that entails and turn and follow My ways. I want you to love your neighbor more than you love yourself. In doing so, you will not wrong them, abuse them or oppress them. You must act and live a holy life!
What This Means To Me:
1. God cares for the less fortunate and the poor. He instructs us to do the same. Do we serve the less fortunate? How can we become more involved in helping others that need it the most?
2. Remain accountable and right your wrongs. Poor and ungodly behavior brings restitution.
3. Do not curse the ruler or those in authority. Follow me and my ordinances as restraints on disorderly passions and incentives to Holiness. In doing so, “ye shall be Holy men and women unto me!”
Do you want people to treat you poorly—disregarding your feelings, ignoring your needs, and undervaluing your worth? Or do you want them to treat you with kindness, respect, and consideration, making exceptions because they truly value and care for you?
At this point, it’s worth asking: How do you treat other people?
I’ve learned that we should treat others the way we want to be treated. Do we mess up? Of course. But it’s our responsibility to recognize those moments, strive to do better, and set an example of how God’s people should treat others.
It’s not enough to talk about kindness and love—we must live it. That means loving those who may seem unlovable, helping those in need, and making peace where there is discord. It requires putting others’ needs and interests above our own.
This is what I am learning to do, and it’s proving to be such a better way to live.
1. Treat others as you want to be treated. Put the needs of others above your own.
2. Do what is right and just, even when it costs you. Integrity often requires sacrifice.
3. Prove your identity as a child of God. Show through your actions that you are set apart for God’s purposes—purposes that are always good.
Ultimately, how we treat others is the clearest reflection of who we are and whom we serve.
Putting God first in all we do and say
Father God was showing me that Moses heart was for the people he was teaching the Israelites, how to live for God showing them that God’s heart was faithful and full of Love.
He was teaching them how to treat other people, get along with others,, to want to help and teach others what to do and what not to do. We are called also to not only be learning everyday God”s will and His ways but we are called to teach others.
We need God”s discernment and wisdom in everything we do and say.
To be like Moses, our hearts have to be open and be willing to say yes to God even when it’s hard.
Moses relied on God‘s directions, wisdom and His discernment , especially when he faced challenges with people.
Saying yes to God leads to growth and blessings
When something happens in my life now I say oh God you knew that was going to happen. What do you want me to do? Do you want me to do something? If you do I know you will help me through it. Sometimes he just wants us to learn from it. The Holy Spirit is always teaching us. We can count on that, but it is up to us to be asking and listening then do as God leads.
if we make a mistake just ask God to help you through the process, remember we’re always learning.
Father, please help us to stay focus on your purpose for our life. Help our hearts to always be open and willing to do what you’re calling us to do.Help our hearts to stay focused on what you’re calling us to do
Not only learning ourselves, but to know that your will is for us to help other people, and to treat them the way you want us to treat them
To treat others the way we want to be treated.
Thank you Father God that you’re always here to help us. Love you.❤️
What this means to me is, if I’m putting God first in my heart seeking God and wanting to learn and being led by his Holy Spirit things will work out. In His time.
God gives us examples in the Bible of what that looks like our purpose he’s called us all to do something with him to help others lead others in the right way.
It’s important to get God‘s discernment and wisdom so we’re not enabling people, but we’re actually helping them.
Thank you, God for your wisdom love you father Jesus, and your Holy Spirit
PODCAST
This Week in the Life: Exodus 22
For the best experience, we suggest you listen to the first song, the message, and then the second song.
1. Sunday Worship – First Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241124-Worship1.wav
2. Sunday Message: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241124-Message.wav
3. Sunday Worship – Second Song: https://reachchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/20241124-Worship2.wav
Join the Party Line Live – Schedule: https://reachchurch.org/connect
This we can exodus chapter 22 I got a song
Serving God
Let’s come together to worship our Lord let’s come together to worship our Lord being blessed because our Lord calls us . Yes he calls his children so let’s be good servant’s , servants of the Lord listening to his plans and saying yes to our Lord we know the 10 Commandments, we know what’s right from wrong so let’s be the best servants for our Lord when we fail ask for forgiveness and get back on track with our Lord also remember our Lord is our lifeline our Lord is our lifeline so let’s stand up for his loving heart serving him and serving others bringing others to the Lord amen
God is our lifeline so let’s go out and share his love being good servants of our Lord always stand for what’s right and he will help guide us
Through.Amen
This is what I got from God in Exodus 22. In My eyes, true justice does not exist unless it is accompanied with righteousness. You are always to try to follow My law. Divine judgement requires restitution in the case of theft. If you steal, I will forgive you your sins, if you repent of them. But I will still expect you to restore those you have harmed before you turn to Me. Sex outside of marriage is a sin. When a man and woman come together, they become “one flesh.” I expressly prohibited adultery in the Seventh Commandment. Consensual sex outside of marriage is widely accepted in today’s society. It is a sin. Jesus warned believers that even a lustful look is an act of adultery in My eyes. Are you staying pure for Me? Idolatry violates the Second Commandment. I prohibit Idolatrous practices that put My believers into communion with demons. Believers must guard themselves and their children from horoscopes, mediums, astrologers, tarot card readers, hand readers, and Ouija boards. I want you to guard yourself and your families from idols. I am to be your only idol. When you come across immigrants or strangers, you are to be kind to them, and show compassion. You shall “love your neighbor as yourself.” Another part of righteousness, requires you as believers to protect the most vulnerable members of society. This includes the poor, the widows, and the orphans. In heaven, Jesus will ask you what you did for the poor and the needy. When you fail to tithe, you are robbing Me. It is My means of helping those in need and ministering to My full-time servants. You are commanded to be a cheerful giver. I never want you to give out of obligation or a ritual. I want you to be holy in all that you do. When you are holy through moral conduct and a loving heart, you become a light to others.
What this said to me is I need to restore those I have harmed, before I go to God and repent of my sins. I need to get rid of the idols in my life that are not God. I need to not even open myself up to anything that is evil and not of God. I need to always show love and compassion to anyone I come in contact with. I need to tithe and be faithful with my giving. When I am holy through moral conduct and a loving heart, I will shine bright to others, and bring them to God.