January 28
Today’s Reading
Exodus 21–22
Psalm 12
Acts 4
⸻
Scripture Focus
“Now these are the regulations you must present to Israel.”
— Exodus 21:1 (NLT)
“The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.”
— Psalm 12:6 (NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
Yesterday, God gave the Ten Commandments.
He showed the people how to worship—an altar of earth and natural stone, no carving, no showing off. Just simple, obedient worship.
And then—right away—God moves from worship to how His people treat one another.
He goes straight into community life.
Not rituals.
Not ceremonies.
But real, everyday relationships.
Exodus 21–22 may feel uncomfortable to read at first. We see laws about servants, injuries, restitution, responsibility, justice. But we must understand something important:
This was not slavery as we know it today.
People entered service to survive, pay debts, or seek protection. It was regulated—not abusive ownership. Even Jacob served Laban for seven years by choice—and then he left.
God was setting boundaries for fair treatment.
Because our God is a just God.
He is teaching His people:
You cannot claim to worship Me and mistreat people.
Worship does not end at the altar—it is proven in how we love, forgive, serve, and protect one another.
When my husband worked as a janitor at a large church, the back of his shirt said “Doulos.”
That word means servant or bondservant.
It is the same word Paul uses when he calls himself a servant of Christ.
This shows us something powerful:
God is not endorsing oppression—He is teaching His people how to live with honor, mercy, responsibility, and restraint.
These laws were not like the surrounding nations.
They were holy.
They were set apart.
They were meant to protect the weak, correct the guilty, and preserve peace.
God is showing us that you cannot build a godly community until you know how to live in that community.
This is what it means to be His people.
And then we read:
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…”
This law was not about revenge—it was about limiting harm, stopping escalation, keeping justice from becoming cruelty.
But Jesus came—and changed everything.
“You have heard it said… but I say to you…”
(Matthew 5)
He did not cancel justice—He fulfilled it with mercy.
Where the law restrained, Jesus transforms.
Where the law corrected behavior, Jesus changes hearts.
God’s desire has always been the same:
That His people would reflect His heart in the world.
And that begins with how we treat one another.
⸻
Lesson for Me
God is not only concerned with how I worship Him—
He is deeply concerned with how I treat others.
True holiness is lived out in love, fairness, humility, and mercy.
⸻
Application Questions
•Do my relationships reflect the heart of God?
•Am I fair, gracious, and patient with those God has placed in my life?
•Where do I need to let Jesus replace my desire for “payback” with mercy and grace?
•What does it look like for me to live as someone set apart?
⸻
Prayer
Lord,
Teach me how to live as Your child—not only in worship, but in every relationship.
Give me a heart that reflects Your justice, mercy, and love.
Help me to treat others the way You have treated me—with grace, patience, and compassion.
Change me from the inside out.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He is teaching you through today’s reading.
Write until your thoughts slow. Reread what you wrote.
Begin with:
“My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
Let Him speak to your heart.
Today’s Reading
Exodus 21–22
Psalm 12
Acts 4
⸻
Scripture Focus
“Now these are the regulations you must present to Israel.”
— Exodus 21:1 (NLT)
“The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over.”
— Psalm 12:6 (NLT)
⸻
Summary & Reflection
Yesterday, God gave the Ten Commandments.
He showed the people how to worship—an altar of earth and natural stone, no carving, no showing off. Just simple, obedient worship.
And then—right away—God moves from worship to how His people treat one another.
He goes straight into community life.
Not rituals.
Not ceremonies.
But real, everyday relationships.
Exodus 21–22 may feel uncomfortable to read at first. We see laws about servants, injuries, restitution, responsibility, justice. But we must understand something important:
This was not slavery as we know it today.
People entered service to survive, pay debts, or seek protection. It was regulated—not abusive ownership. Even Jacob served Laban for seven years by choice—and then he left.
God was setting boundaries for fair treatment.
Because our God is a just God.
He is teaching His people:
You cannot claim to worship Me and mistreat people.
Worship does not end at the altar—it is proven in how we love, forgive, serve, and protect one another.
When my husband worked as a janitor at a large church, the back of his shirt said “Doulos.”
That word means servant or bondservant.
It is the same word Paul uses when he calls himself a servant of Christ.
This shows us something powerful:
God is not endorsing oppression—He is teaching His people how to live with honor, mercy, responsibility, and restraint.
These laws were not like the surrounding nations.
They were holy.
They were set apart.
They were meant to protect the weak, correct the guilty, and preserve peace.
God is showing us that you cannot build a godly community until you know how to live in that community.
This is what it means to be His people.
And then we read:
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…”
This law was not about revenge—it was about limiting harm, stopping escalation, keeping justice from becoming cruelty.
But Jesus came—and changed everything.
“You have heard it said… but I say to you…”
(Matthew 5)
He did not cancel justice—He fulfilled it with mercy.
Where the law restrained, Jesus transforms.
Where the law corrected behavior, Jesus changes hearts.
God’s desire has always been the same:
That His people would reflect His heart in the world.
And that begins with how we treat one another.
⸻
Lesson for Me
God is not only concerned with how I worship Him—
He is deeply concerned with how I treat others.
True holiness is lived out in love, fairness, humility, and mercy.
⸻
Application Questions
•Do my relationships reflect the heart of God?
•Am I fair, gracious, and patient with those God has placed in my life?
•Where do I need to let Jesus replace my desire for “payback” with mercy and grace?
•What does it look like for me to live as someone set apart?
⸻
Prayer
Lord,
Teach me how to live as Your child—not only in worship, but in every relationship.
Give me a heart that reflects Your justice, mercy, and love.
Help me to treat others the way You have treated me—with grace, patience, and compassion.
Change me from the inside out.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
⸻
Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly with Jesus.
Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what He is teaching you through today’s reading.
Write until your thoughts slow. Reread what you wrote.
Begin with:
“My little lamb…” or “Dear daughter…”
Let Him speak to your heart.
Type your new text here.