Session 3.2 Life’s BIG Questions Week 3 Session 2

Session 3.2 Is the Bible a message from a God I can’t see? Law ahead of its time Part 2

Session 3.2 The Law Law of Moses = First 5 books of Bible –Genesis –Exodus –Leviticus –Numbers –Deuteronomy Known also as “The Law”

Session 3.2 Law Ahead of Its Time Recommendations –Fruit and vegetables not restricted –Restrictions on fat, unsafe meat and seafood Safe water supply Safe disposal of sewage Washing to avoid cross infection Isolation of infectious diseases Bible was ahead of its time in community health Rest of the world took 3,500 years to catch up with the community health regulations

Session 3.2 Introduction Who first spoke these words: “love your neighbour as yourself”? It wasn’t Jesus! Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbour as yourself Leviticus 19:18 First spoken by Moses more than 1400 years before Jesus

Session 3.2 Introduction Jesus regarded as advanced moral teacher Reminding about words in law of Moses Shows how advanced Law was World would be much better place if this was followed

Session 3.2 Civil law ahead of its time Would reduce many modern problems Law of love –Tender, merciful laws Considering the age when they were writtenConsidering the age when they were written Nothing short of a miracle!Nothing short of a miracle!

Session 3.2 Land and Wealth a) Equal division of wealth Land was wealth Fair distribution of land And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance. Numbers 33 v 54

Session 3.2 Land and Wealth a) Equal division of wealth Families still became poor Borrow money or sell part of land In a poverty trap

Session 3.2 Land and Wealth a) Equal division of wealth Escape from poverty trap Jubilee every 50 years Prevented permanent loss of land Large estates not allowed In this Year of Jubilee, each of you shall return to his possession. Leviticus 25 v 13

Session 3.2 Land and Wealth a) Equal division of wealth Money borrowing controlled According to the multitude of years you shall increase its price, and according to the fewer number of years you shall diminish its price; for he sells to you according to the number of the years of the crops. Leviticus 25 v 16 Large estates not allowed

Session 3.2 Rest b) A day of restSix days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. Exodus 20 v 9 and 10

Session 3.2 Rest b) A day of rest Regular day of rest beneficial Helps people work efficiently Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. Exodus 20 v 9 and 10

Session 3.2 Crime & Punishment c) Treatment of criminals Law unusual: –No prisons –Criminals responsible for their actions If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep Exodus 22 v 1

Session 3.2 Crime & Punishment c) Treatment of criminals Thief to recompense victim …if he has nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft Exodus 22 v 3 Thief to work as a servant to pay back Wiser than locking him up!

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others …you shall love your neighbour as yourself Leviticus 19 v 18 Other systems of law stop people harming each other

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others Exodus 23 v 1 to 9

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness Exodus 23 v 1 Slander and perjury forbidden

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong Exodus 23 v 2 Trouble often occurs when people gather in gangs Mob violence would be prevented

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others Do not show favouritism to a poor man in his lawsuit… Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits Exodus 23 v 3 and 6 Everyone treated equally Modern laws often favour the rich who can afford expensive “legal action”

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it Exodus 23 v 4 and 5 People must help those they disliked

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous Exodus 23 v 8 Bribery encourages corruption - so forbidden

Session 3.2 Consideration d) Consideration for others Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23 v 9 Much trouble as a result of racial hatred Hatred of people of other nations to stop

Session 3.2 Common Objection “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, life for life” Wasn’t the Law of Moses brutal? Answer: –Think of the age when they lived –Punishment was limited - so far and no further –e.g. You couldn’t kill someone for blinding his neighbour

Session 3.2 Common Objection Show no pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Deuteronomy 19:21 Look at the context Only example where pity was not to be shown To prevent false witnesses bringing evil against innocents In other circumstances mercy could be applied – if the injured wished it Law kind & just compared to laws of neighbours

Session 3.2 Summary Bible was ahead of its time in civil law Equal division of wealth Extremes of poverty and wealth prevented Work restricted to 6 days a week Criminals responsible for their deeds Consideration to be shown for others Deceit and lying forbidden Mob violence prohibited Equal justice for poor and rich Bribery not permitted Racial hatred not allowed

Session 3.2 The Challenge How did the Bible writers produce such a remarkable civil law? Civil law was 1000s of years ahead of its time Where else can you find similar evidence of a power greater and wiser than us? You can trust the Bible when it gives advice about your life

Session 3.2 Conclusion Thank you for being here this week Review the notes from this session We look forward to your company next week - God willing