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Exodus 23

33 verses

TL;DR

Exodus 23 presents laws on justice, rest, and worship, warns against false witnesses and oppression, and promises God’s protection as Israel enters Canaan, while forbidding covenant with other gods.

Summary

Exodus 23 begins with commandments for fair judgment, condemning false witnesses, unjust alliances, and the exploitation of the poor. It then institutes the Sabbath year, requiring the land to rest and the poor to eat what remains. The chapter lists the four major festivals—Passover, Unleavened Bread, Weeks, and Tabernacles—and commands the building of the altar and the proper use of sacrifices. An angel of the LORD is promised to guide Israel, offering protection and defeat of hostile peoples. The text concludes by declaring that Israel must not make covenants with other gods or dwell among them, ensuring a covenantal faithfulness that secures divine blessing.

Outline
  1. Justice and fair judgment laws (verses 1–10)
  2. Sabbath year and rest for the land and poor (verses 11–12)
  3. Festivals, altar, and priestly worship (verses 13–22)
  4. Divine guidance, promise of protection, and covenant instructions (verses 23–34)
Themes
Justice and fairnessRest and worshipCovenant fidelity and divine protection
Keywords
false witnessoppressionSabbath yearfirstfruitsfestivalsangel of the LORDcovenantrestjusticeprotection
People
the LORDangel of the LORD
Places
EgyptCanaanAmoritesHittitesPerizzitesCanaanitesHivitesJebusitesPhilistinesRed Seariver
Things
false witnessoppressionSabbath yearfirstfruitsFeast of Unleavened BreadFeast of WeeksFeast of Tabernaclesaltar of incenseangel of the LORD
Key Verses
  • Exodus 23:9: It stresses the biblical principle of treating foreigners with compassion, recalling Israel’s own experience in Egypt.
  • Exodus 23:12: It establishes the Sabbath year, a foundational covenantal rest that sustains the land and its people.
  • Exodus 23:32: It warns against making covenants with other gods, preserving Israel’s unique relationship with the LORD.
Questions
  • What does the prohibition against false witnesses reveal about the social justice expected of Israel?
  • How does the Sabbath year reflect God’s concern for the land and its people?
  • In what ways does the promise of an angel of the LORD function as both reassurance and a call to obedience?
  • Why is the instruction to avoid covenants with other gods crucial for Israel’s identity?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains both admonitions and promises, balancing correction with hope.