Mishpatim (Exodus 21:1-24:18) — Humanity’s Choice … Following God or Anarchy
In today’s world, the last thing that most people like to read or hear about are rules. We live in a post-modern world that focuses on individual desires and not on what is good for society or even for themselves. When someone tries to enforce codes of conduct, they are considered to be hatemongers and enemies of society. This attitude is dangerous and will ultimately lead to a society in chaos. We need rules, we need direction, we need guidance. And personally, if I hear the phrase “my truth” one more time, I might have to throw something. Which I acknowledge is breaking a rule.
God understood this need for “rules.” He gave His people the Ten Commandments and then proceeded in this week’s Torah Portion to spell out even more rules and standards for living in Exodus 21-23. It would be impossible to list or discuss all of the guidelines mentioned in these verses. However, a few are quite enlightening. In 22:18, God states that a person who practices sorcery is worthy of death. In 22:19, a sexual sin, which is so heinous that I hesitate to describe the action, is also considered worthy of death. These two verses are quite fascinating when one looks at our society and we are inundated with the sin of witchcraft and fortune tellers that are available on every corner or just a 1-866 number away. And when was the last time that any type of sexual perversion was called perversion on a talk show? The attitude of many today is – I am not going to judge someone’s preferences. Why not? God did.
In chapter 24, the Lord confirmed this contract for living with the people. The people accepted this structured form of living because they recognized that they served an awesome God who is also the judge of the living and the dead. They understood that they were answerable to something greater than themselves.
This is a lesson that we all should learn. Today so many people want to live their own way and according to their own preferences. This choice of an unregulated life leads to chaos and destruction. If you doubt this statement, go to the end of the book of Judges and discover what happens to the people who were given the Torah but instead chose to live according to their own devices. Judges 21:25 states that everyone did what was right in their own eyes. The result of this choice – chaos, destruction, and subjugation to other nations.
Is this the choice that we are making today when we refuse to call wrong actions sin? Are we allowing people to head towards destruction because we are not responding to their misguided choices? If so, may God have mercy upon all of us … even though we do not deserve it.
