Bible TALK

Dunno why I put the caps, but I did.. eh anyways.
Exodus 22
This whole chapter, is rules for the people in the new area to follow. Similar to the rules that we must follow today as a society, however, there is one difference. One BIG difference. They all are assigned and ordained by God himself. &I'm sure I could bet on the fact that they lived in a better time back then, because of that factor and that factor only. Sure, I mean people still broke the rules, but when the time came the Lord knew, and nothing was hidden from the Lord since he is all-knowing, so if you are guilty of a crime, and you plead innocent, then the Lord will know anyways and you will still face your punishment whatever that may be.
Here are some of the ones that stuck out to me the most.
20: "Anyone who sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed" That's powerful, really very powerful.. I wonder what made God stop doing this? The world would be such a better place if he still did this. Technically I know why he stopped, but I don't know why he got the point that he felt like he had to.
21: "You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt"
This is pretty strong considering that even some times I can make some racist jokes, I am not serious about them.. but I am still oppressing them (make a note to stop doing that!, pray to God for help.)
&29: You must not hold anything back when you give me offerings from your crops and your wine"
This is a strong one as well, and the first instinct I got from it was not giving God your full ten percent when you are doing tithing, and although that is true, my mind then went a step further. The talents that God has given to you, have also been called at one point or another an offering to the Lord when you are praising him. So don't hold back on those things.. whatever it is that God gave you greeting people, acting, singing, playing the piano :p, teaching.. whatever it is use it to its full potential, let God use it too, and don't hold back.. because then you are holding back from God.
This helps me with my play for tomorrow! Which, by the way is a super strong message, and I would love to be prayed for in the matter!