In this episode we continue studying the Book of Exodus. In this episode, God gave more statutes and judgements to the judges.

We learn that if a thief broke into someones house at night and the owner killed him, the owner would not be killed, no life for life.

But if he was found breaking into someones house during the day, there could be life for life depending on the circumstances. And if a thief was caught with the goods, he had to pay the owner double.

In this chapter, laws were also given regarding seduction. If a man seduced a girl, he had to marry her but if her father refused to let them marry, he still had to pay the dowry. If he had no money he could work for her for seven years, as Jacob worked for Rachel.

We note that Paul says, men who sleep with a woman without marrying her, defrauds her future husband.

And it was God’s will to prevent such fraud, if a man robbed a woman of her virginity, and defrauded her future husband by dealing deceitfully with her (telling lies). Paul warned the men that God is the avenger of such wrongs.

God gave his commandments to the judges and under Moses’ leadership the elders taught the people, especially the young to take heed to their spirit, they were taught to control fleshly desires or they had to pay the price, he had to marry the girl he sweet talked.

The girl had God, her father, the judges and written statutes to hold him accountable.

The Israelites had Moses and we have Christ, who taught us to take heed to our spirit, that we too should control fleshly lusts or we too will pay the price.

If we decide to be workers of iniquity and be causes of offense we will pay the price and be cast into a furnace of fire, as noted in Matthew chapter 13 verses 41 through 43.

Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The Apostle Paul realized how important it was to have small congregations, in every city in Crete, so the elders could teach the young how to live righteously.

He began his exhortation to Titus in chapter one by saying in verse five that he left Titus in Crete so he could set things in order. He was told to ordain elders or bishops in every city.

The elders are called bishops in chapter three, these elders or bishops would oversee the other elders, who are called the AGED, in chapter two. These elders, these highly valued AGED men and women in the church, were called upon to teach the YOUNG men and women the things of the Lord.

But first they were told to set the right examples, to be models of good behavior. Then they were to teach them various aspects of Holy Living.

The foundation of their teaching was based on one thing, they were to teach the young to be sober minded.

Strongs says, sober minded means to be sound, self-controlled, moderate in opinion or passion, discreet.

Discreet means to be, prudent, wise in avoiding errors or evil, and in selecting the best means to accomplish a purpose, circumspect, cautious, wary, not rash.

At the same time, he basically warned the aged to teach with gentleness and meekness, remembering they were once young and foolish.

So we are to lead by example and exhort and admonish with humility, keeping in mind who we once were before the Lord appeared to us.

For we are all saved by grace as noted in Titus chapter 3, when Paul continued to exhort Titus. Here’s the text:

Titus 3:1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

Titus 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.