Exodus 23: Laws of Justice, Mercy, and Worship

Key Verse: Exodus 23:22"But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries."

God is shaping Israel into a people that reflect His character. In this chapter, He gives them laws about justice, mercy, integrity, rest, and worship. These are not just rules—they are a way of life that sets them apart from the world around them.

Justice and Mercy

God calls His people to fairness and kindness, even to their enemies.

• Do not spread false reports. Truth matters. (v. 1)

• Do not follow the crowd in doing evil. Stand for what is right, even when others don’t. (v. 2)

• Do not pervert justice. The rich and the poor are to be treated fairly. (v. 3, 6)

• Help your enemy. If you see your enemy’s animal in trouble, help them anyway. (v. 4-5)

God’s justice is not about personal revenge—it’s about doing what is right, even when it’s hard.

Sabbath and Rest

God commands a rhythm of rest.

• Work for six years, but let the land rest on the seventh. The poor and animals will benefit from it. (v. 10-11)

• Work for six days, but rest on the seventh. Even servants and foreigners should have time to rest. (v. 12)

Rest is not just a break—it’s trusting God to provide.

The Three Feasts

God establishes three festivals where the people will come together to worship and celebrate:

1. The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) – Remembering their deliverance from Egypt.

2. The Feast of Harvest (Pentecost) – Giving thanks for the first crops.

3. The Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles) – Celebrating the full harvest at the year’s end.

These feasts are about remembrance, gratitude, and worship.

God’s Promise of Protection

God tells Israel that He will send an angel before them to lead them to the Promised Land. He promises:

• Victory over their enemies. (v. 22)

• Blessing in their food and water. (v. 25)

• Healing and fruitfulness. (v. 26)

But there is a condition: They must listen to God’s voice and obey Him. If they follow His ways, He will fight for them.

A Lesson for Us

God’s laws are not just about rules—they are about how we live as His people.

• Justice matters. Are we fair, truthful, and merciful, even to those we dislike?

• Rest matters. Do we trust God enough to pause and recharge?

• Worship matters. Do we take time to remember what He has done?

• Obedience matters. Do we follow His voice, trusting that He will lead and protect us?

God’s promise is clear: If we listen to Him, He will fight for us. The question is—are we listening?