Our word is used to describe the other laws besides the ten commandments that God gave the people. We are moving into chapter twenty-one of Exodus with our word for today. מִשְׁפָּט decision, judgment, case, law, rule. It is used 422 times in the Old Testament, 3 times in our chapter. Laws and rules are the most efficient and clearest way to communicate what is wanted and needed. God makes it clear what he desires from us because he loves us and wants us to understand a head of time both the blessings and negative consequences or curses. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Exodus 21:1, 9, 31 Now these are הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים the rules that you shall set before them…If he designates כְּמִשְׁפַּ֥ט [Our word is in the text but not translated so we have literally he designates determining] her for his son, he shall deal with her as with a daughter…If it gores a man's son or daughter, he shall be dealt with according to this same כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֥ט rule. As we will see in the following days when we look at these rules they are for the benefit of the people. A loving father who wants to protect us from things that could hurt us warns us ahead of time. This is why David praises God for his laws and rules repeatedly in the Psalms. Psalm 37:28 For the Lord loves justice; he will not forsake his saints. Psalm 119:13, 20, 156, 164, 175 With my lips I declare all the מִשְׁפְּטֵי rules of your mouth…My soul is consumed with longing for מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ your rules at all times…Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָyour rules…Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י rules…Let my soul live and praise you, and let וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ your rules help me. A common theme of praise to God is that he is contrasted to human kings who often fail to provide justice for people. Psalm 103:6 The Lord works righteousness וּ֝מִשְׁפָּטִ֗ים and justice for all who are oppressed. Psalm 140:12 I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute מִ֝שְׁפַּ֗ט justice for the needy. Psalm 9:7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne לַמִּשְׁפָּ֣טfor justice. I’ll close with three verses from Psalm 119 showing David praising God for his rules because in them he experiences God’s hope, comfort and grace. Psalm 119:43, 52, 132 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in לְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣ךָ your laws…I remember, Lord, your ancient מִשְׁפָּטֶ֖יךָ laws, and I find comfort in them…Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your כְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט way with those who love your name.

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