Stinging and Shining: The Role of the People of God in the World [40:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Exodus 22:16-31 [+/-]Exodus 22:16-31 [16]"If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. [17]If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride- price for virgins. [18]"You shall not permit a sorceress to live. [19]"Whoever lies with an animal shall be put to death. [20]"Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction. [21]"You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. [22]You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. [23]If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, [24]and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless. [25]"If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. [26]If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, [27]for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. [28]"You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people. [29]"You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. [30]You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me. [31]"You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs. (ESV)

The Purpose of the Bible is really simple. It can be spoken in one simple sentence: God who creates a world for His glory and will bring this world to its consummation for His glory is working in the world to raise up and redeem a people for Himself who will live for the praise of His glory until His work is finished and we rule and reign with Him through Jesus by the power of His Spirit forever. And the bulk of the Bible is about God’s raising up and redeeming His people who live for the praise of His glory.

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