Justin Houtz

Exodus 21-22; Psalm 12; Acts 4

DateVersionReading Plan
January 28, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

Exodus 21-22

Observation & Interpretation

Exod. 21:4 – If a master gave his slave a wife and she bore him sons or daughters, the wife and her children were to be her master’s and the slave was to go out alone.

  • This phrase might refer to a practice know in other ancient Near Eastern cultures in which a slave’s master could use him as a means to produce “house born” slaves (see Gen 14:14; 17:13; Lev 22:11). (FSB)

Exod. 21:7-8 – In this situation, a man facing devastating debt or poverty could sell his daughter in a transaction that presupposed her marriage to the purchaser…he will allow her to be redeemed The master must allow the girl’s relatives to buy her back. (FSB)

Exod. 22:2-4 – Moses gave instruction on the law regarding thievery. If the thief was struck while stealing, there was to be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun had risen on him, there was to be bloodguilt.

  • The difference in responses to a burglary at different times rests on the concern that the owners’ lives might be at stake, especially if the break-in took place at night. During the day they could recognize the thief and know whether or not this was a dangerous intruder (cp. Jr 2:26, 34-35). Even the life of a thief was valued; he could not be sold as a slave or be killed in revenge. (CSB Notes)

Exod. 22:31 – The people were to be consecrated to the LORD and were therefore not to eat any flesh that had been torn by beasts. Only animal meat that had been obtained through intentional animal slaughter was to be consumed.

  • It was forbidden to eat meat that had been torn by beasts. In such a case, the blood would not have been drained immediately, and to eat blood was a violation of God’s law (Lev. 17). Also, there was the danger of infection from various diseases spread by animals (such as rabies), from which God was protecting His people. (BBC)

Acts 4

Observation & Interpretation

Acts 4:4 – The number of men who heard the word and believed came to about five thousand. This is similar to the three thousand who believed in Acts 2:41, demonstrating that the gospel was making a very large impact.

  • Commentators are disagreed whether this included the three thousand saved at Pentecost. It does not include women and children. (BBC)

Acts 4:19-20 – Peter and John answered the charge not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus by telling them that they must judge whether it was right in the sight of God to listen to them rather than God. Peter and John made clear that they could not but speak of what they had seen and heard.

  • Peter and John could not agree to such a restriction. Their first loyalty and responsibility was to God, not to man. If they were honest, the rulers would have to admit this. The apostles had witnessed the resurrection and ascension of Christ. They had sat under His teaching day after day. They were responsible to bear witness to their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (BBC)

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