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The people of Israel had been a slave nation. These verses indicate that their society was not based on a proper relationship with God, but on other social dynamics. There were sexual deviancies that were evidently common. Those with power or wealth took advantage of others. The ones that suffered were the weakest in society—the fatherless, widows, foreigners or even young virgins. The social fabric of the time was corrupt. Though they had been delivered from their slave life in Egypt, they persisted in their slave mentality.
The Lord did not see his people only based on their actions. They were called to worship the Lord only (20). The Lord called them out of their slave life in Egypt (21). He called them to offer their best to him, to honor and not blaspheme the Lord. God’s hope was that they would grow in obedience to his word. God saw them based on his hope for them. He saw them newly—as his holy people.
Jun 3, 2026
“YOU ARE TO BE MY HOLY PEOPLE”
Passage: Exodus 22:16-31
Key verse: 31a
NIV
chapter 22
16. "If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife.
17. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.
18. "Do not allow a sorceress to live.
19. "Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death.
20. "Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the LORD must be destroyed.
21. "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt.
22. "Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.
23. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.
24. My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.
25. "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.
26. If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,
27. 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.
28. "Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
29. "Do not hold back offerings from your granaries or your vats. "You must give me the firstborn of your sons.
30. Do the same with your cattle and your sheep. Let them stay with their mothers for seven days, but give them to me on the eighth day.
31. "You are to be my holy people. So do not eat the meat of an animal torn by wild beasts; throw it to the dogs.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your word and your hope. Thank you for guiding me out of my corrupt slave mentality to your holiness.
One Word: God’s holy people