Why-did-we-ever-leave-Egypt counter:2️⃣
Moses mountain climbing meter:4️⃣ (he’s still up there)
The chapter opens with some laws that feel like practical applications of the 10 Commandments. It’s what loving God and neighbor might look like in real life. You return your enemy’s lost donkey to him. (It doesn’t say you have to enjoy it or become besties. Just return the donkey.)
🚶🏽♂️🫏
Then there’s the section about the Sabbath and the feasts. God has already talked about keeping the Sabbath and the annual observance of Passover/Unleavened Bread. This is the first time the other feasts are mentioned. They will be unpacked in detail later. For now, we would do well to remember:
- The Sabbath is one of God’s appointed times. And it’s not just the 7th day. It’s also the 7th year.
- The 3 feasts, are when all the men of Israel are to appear before the Lord.
- (Shhh 🤫 the feasts are prophetic pictures. But that’s still a secret.)
Interestingly, smack in the middle of the instructions about Sabbath and the 3 feasts. We get this seemingly out of place command:
“Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.”
Exodus 23:13 ESV
God’s Law is His covenant with Israel. In the future, God’s prophets will look back on this Sinai moment as a marriage between Yahweh and Israel. (Jer. 2:2, Ez. 16, Hos. 2). The feasts are special times for Yahweh and Israel. No husband wants to hear his wife talking about other men. Especially on their anniversary.
Keep the marriage metaphor in mind. It is THE primary way Yahweh relates to Israel.
Now check this out…
“Look, I am about to send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Be attentive to him and listen to his voice; do not rebel against him, because he will not forgive your transgression, for my name is in him. But if you listen attentively to his voice and do all that I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.“ Exodus 23:20-22 LEB
The word for “angel” (malak) means messenger or king. (We’ve talked about it before with Abimelek and Melchizedek) It can also imply a prophet or priest because they speak on God’s behalf. Hmmm. Prophet. Priest. King.
Yahweh says that His Name is IN this malak who goes before Israel. And, this malak has the authority to forgive (or not forgive) their transgressions. Finally, when this malak speaks, it is Yahweh speaking.
I’m gonna leave you with a link to a 7min video by the late Dr. Michael Heiser on “name theology.” The Name of the Lord is going to appear a LOT from here on out in the scripture. It’s important that we understand what that phrase means. Jesus will talk about doing things “in my name.” The Apostles will perform miracles “in Jesus’ name.” But name theology begins here. Let’s let the Word of God shape our understanding of what it means. Have a blessed weekend.
To The Reader 