Exodus 21-22; Psalm 20; Acts 4

Exodus
21:1-11 - Laws about slaves. Considering our present views on slavery, I am astounded at this passage. It speaks of owning other people as if they were but animals. These do not apply to foreigners conquered but to Hebrew slaves -- apparently those who could not pay their debts.

21:12-27 - Laws about violence. Punishable by death:

• Premeditated murder
• Striking a parent
• Kidnapping
• Cursing a priest

Financial liability:

• Injuries resulting from a fight
• Miscarriage resulting from a fight - if no further harm follows
  
• Slave's loss of eye or tooth results in his freedom.

vv. 20-21 - An owner is punished for killing a slave only if the death is immediate. [???]

21:28-35 - Laws concerning property:

• If ox gores someone to death
• If livestock falls into an uncovered pit
• If one ox kills an ox belonging to someone else

22:1-15 - Laws of restitution:

• Stealing an ox or sheep. If thief cannot make restitution, he sells himself.
• Killing a thief
• Grazing someone else's land
• Arson of grain
• Robbery of goods left in another's safekeeping
• Disputed ownership of lost property
• Death of an animal left in another's care
• Death or injury of a borrowed animal

16-31 Social & Religious Laws regarding:

• Seduction of a virgin
• Female sorcery
• Lying with an animal
• Sacrificing to any god but the LORD
• Abuse of aliens, widows or children
• Loaning money to the poor
• Reviling God or cursing a leader
• Sacrificial offerings
• Eating of meat mangled by beasts in the field

Psalm of note:
20:7 - "Some take pride in chariots, and some in horses, but our pride is in the name of the LORD our God."

Acts 4
v. 1 - Priests, captain of the temple and Sadducees were the ones who are annoyed with Peter and John's preaching. Resurrection of Christ did not seem to change all minds.

v. 12 - Verse of note. "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."

v. 13 - We shrink from proclaiming Jesus for fear of social rejection. These men faced imprisonment. What made them so bold? They had been "companions of Jesus."

4:29 - The people gathered together and prayed for boldness.

4:31, 32 - Results of their prayer:

• v. 31 - They spoke the word of God with boldness
• v. 33 - Great grace was upon them all, demonstrated in their generosity and selflessness.