a better law

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Exodus 21:22-23:13. Moses gives us God's law, and it is much better than what they'd had previously.

But you might notice when you read it that it wasn't perfect. It took the culture and the weakness of the listeners into consideration, rather than giving them a perfect law that no one could obey.

For instance, the law Moses gives says that if someone can't pay their debt (if they're a thief who is caught), then they must be sold into slavery until the debt is paid. We frown on that today. Also, eye for an eye is more fair that what had been happening before Moses's law, but Jesus's teachings to turn the other cheek and to love our enemies is superior to the justice of Moses's law.

As we grow closer and closer to Jesus, we learn to live by a law that is higher than that everyone is expected to follow. And He gives us the strength and compassion to do it.

God, thank You for calling us to a higher law.