Justin Houtz

Exodus 21, John 3

DateVersionReading Plan
March 12, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Exodus 21

Observation

Exod. 21:5-6 – If a slave did not want to go free after his years of service, the master was to bring him to God, to the door or doorpost, and bore his ear through with an awl. “Henceforth he was ‘earmarked.’ This is a beautiful picture of Christ, the perfect Servant, who so loved us that He would not go out free, but rather went to the cross of Calvary.” (BBC)

Exod. 21:7-8 – Female slaves “could not go out free in the seventh year if her master had taken her as a wife or concubine and was willing to fulfill his responsibilities to her. If he was not willing, she had to be redeemed, but not sold to Gentiles.” (BBC)

Exod. 21:16 – Whoever steals a man and sells him—and anyone found in possession of him—was to be put to death. “Under this statemeent, what Joseph’s brothers did to him (Gn. 37:27-28) was a death-penalty offense.” (CSB Notes)

Exod. 21:26-27 – A slave whose master destroyed his eye or knocked out his tooth was to be let free. “Laws protecting slaves are not found in other ancient Near Eastern law collections.” (CSB Notes)

Application

The just and equitable nature of the laws given in this chapter illuminate God’s justice and righteousness. There are a couple of standout features to note. First, women and slaves were to be treated with dignity as bearers of God’s image. Laws for female servants were such that they were protected against unfair treatment. Slaves were likewise to be treated fairly, set free after six years in the same way they were acquired (single or married) unless—by their own volition—they wanted to stay with their master.

Second, on a larger scale, these laws demonstrate that we worship a God of order, not chaos. Flourishing comes as we align ourselves with way in which He has created all things. Conversely, dire consequences are borne as we mistakenly or willfully violate His created order. The takeaway is that our efforts should be aimed at the just treatment of our neighbors in every manner of conduct. There will certainly be times in which harm is inflicted inadvertently (an effect of living in a broken world) but the desire should be to bless and serve others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

John 3

Observation

John 3:8 – In speaking to Nicodemus, Jesus “illustrated his pronouncement of vv. 3–5 with an analogy between wind and a person born of the Spirit…While the wind’s origin is invisible, its effects can be observed; it is the same with those born of the Spirit.” (CSB Notes)

John 3:29 – John the baptist makes a distinction between Jesus as the bridegroom and himself as the groom’s friend, “who selflessly rejoiced with the groom.” (CSB Notes)

John 3:34 – John the baptist spoke of Jesus as “he whom God sent” Who “utters the words of God” and that God gives the Spirit without measure. The BBC notes that “Christ was anointed by the Holy Spirit of God in a way that was not true of any other person. Others have been conscious of the help of the Holy Spirit in their ministry, but no one else ever had such a Spirit-filled ministry as the Son of God. The prophets received a partial revelation from God but ‘the Spirit revealed in and by Christ the very wisdom, the very heart of God to man with all its infinitude of love.’”

Application

The distinction made by John the baptist provides a helpful guardrail in making sure we never lose sight of who we are in relation to God in Christ. Jesus called His disciples “friends” in John 15:15, but this is not to be understood as His equals. The context in which Jesus called the disciples “friends” was to distinguish them from slaves as being “the objects of divine revelation because Jesus has communicated to them ‘everything I learned from my Father.’” (NAC). Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is His bride. Thus we are to place ourselves in humble surrender as belonging to Him, rejoicing greatly at the bridegroom’s voice.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the world that You have created, one of structure and constancy, and that You have given us by Your Word and the law the freedom by which we can obey you. Lord Jesus, thank You that You have claimed Your bride and for the great love You poured out in giving Yourself for her.

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