Exodus 23:10-11a “For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused.
Interpretation is an issue with these laws. I’ve long been familiar with the “don’t work on the Sabbath” idea. But what constitutes work? Some folks didn’t even cook on Sundays. Many folks won’t mow on Sundays. The hubs and I had a serious discussion once about fishing on a Sunday. I thought it definitely was recreation and allowed. He disagreed.
Exodus 23:11b Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what is left. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.
The point is, any time humanity gets in the mix, there is potential for all kinds of errors. Errors in judgement. Errors in opinion. Unintentional errors. Blatant errors. And those are all human, not divine. What does God want? Why is He telling us these things? That’s what we need to work out.
Exodus 23:12 “Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and so that the slave born in your household and the foreigner living among you may be refreshed.
Precious Savior, I truly think that most of us are trying to do what You are calling us to do. The problem is that when we get involved, our messy humanity is involved, too. Help us to earnestly strive to do what You are calling us to do. Help us to love You and love others. Help us to try to not make life difficult for anyone and to point others to You always. Help us, Jesus. Amen.
Exodus 23:13 “Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips.
Have a blessed day.