EXODUS- RULES TO LIVE BY

It is Saturday, and I'm looking forward to having a men's prayer breakfast soon and so I just have a little time to write this morning.  I started reading in chapter 21 and read to chapter 30 in Exodus.  In chapter 20 we have the ten commandments given.  This is the first written law in the first 2,500 years of history.  God wanted us to understand it is about Relationship, not Rules; but, a Relationship has Rules to keep it a great relationship.  Here we will see rules spelled out on almost every area of life.  Notice these thoughts: 1) FUTURE PROVISION- God makes a law about someone who causes an accidental death, and then in Exodus 21:13, God makes this provision.  "And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee."  Here a man smites a man so that he dies (vs. 12), but he didn't mean to kill him, only hit him or hurt him, then God makes this provision of a place he can flee to.  The thing is that this "place" would be one of the cities of refuge we will read about in the book of Joshua that will be over 40 years into the future.  This very crowd being spoken to will not see it at all.  This is God giving a future provision for His people.  We have been given one too..... HEAVEN!!  God fulfilled one, and He will fulfill the other as well. 2) WILLING OFFERING- In Exodus 25:2 it says:  "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering:  of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart:  ye shall take my offering."  God wants us to give an offering, but He wants us to give out of love, not duty.  He wants it willingly, not forced, not co-horsed.  Willingly give your offerings, your service, your heart to God. 3) THE URIM AND THE THUMMIM- in Exodus 28:30 we see a plate upon the high priest's outfit made with gold.  It has twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, and it has on the upper right and upper left hand of the plate two stones.  One white, one black.  The Urim and the Thummin.  This was used to ask questions of God.  Yes or no questions.  Have you ever played the game, 20 questions?  Imagine playing that game with God.  Asking yes and no questions from God to get clear direction.  Praise God we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to be our guide and give us our answers!  Well, I have to go for now.  Have a blessed Saturday!  Pastor Mike Mutchler