Discuss Exodus 23 Page 2

George,

The word fornication comes from the word PORNEIA which means any form of sexual immorality. It's also where we get our English word pornography from. A hug or a kiss in itself does not constitute sexual immorality. But there are other things to keep in mind. There are other ways to look at it depending on who you are hugging and kissing. For instance, if a married man is seen someplace hugging and kissing another woman, even though that would not be considered fornication (sexual immorality), it would give the appearance of evil, which we are to avoid. Even if you are a single believer, hugging and kissing could cause other believers to think more could be taking place "behind the scenes." Again, we are told not to even give the appearance of evil, even though a "hug" or a "kiss in itself may not be evil.

2 Corinthians 13:12

Greet one another with an holy kiss.

1 Thessalonians 5:26

Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.

Luke 7:45

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

Romans 16:16

Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

1 Corinthians 16:20

All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

Genesis 27:26

And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.

1 Peter 5:14

Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs 27:6 - Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

2 Peter 1:7

And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Hebrews 13:1

Let brotherly love continue.

1 Thessalonians 4:9

But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.

Romans 12:10

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all your things be done with charity. 1 John 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

Colossians 3:5 - Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Comment by Mishael: Amongst Church members, I would hope that we don't judge each other's greetings.

In our present culture we seem to be hyper aware of any kind of sexual harassment.

Inside of our Church setting we should be able to greet each other with a handshake and squeeze on the arm without a problem.

Rather than be shocked by standoffness, try to discern the other persons body language. We are naturally hyper now due to Covid-19 and Variant fears. It is, what it is.

Hello, it would seem nice if there was a clear cut line for all sins, wouldn't it. But if we knew that, would our goal then be to get as close to that line as possible without going over? Is that really what Christians should do who genuinely love and follow Jesus?

We could ask the same question for drunkenness. 2-3 beers ok? 4-5, 6-8? Lying: a little white lie ok? What about if it will protect someone? What if no one will find out? Theft- what if its 'communal' property, what if the person I take from is 'bad' and 'deserves it'? Murder: abortion if below 1 month? What about 4 months? 9 months? What about after birth if deformed? What about elderly? What about all ages if we don't like them?

Satan loves to tempt people with making tiny little increments towards sin, and he's good at deceiving people into doing it. What if the goal if Christians shouldn't be to see how close the line they can go, but play it safe and try to love and follow God with all your heart, soul, and strength?

Fornication isn't the only sin involved in the scenario you describe, but lust. Jesus didn't say "I died on the cross so you can sin all you want now." If anything he was MORE restrictive, saying sin no more, and if you love Him to obey His commandments. He also said this: Matthew 5:28

God bless...

Hi George.

I would say that is a tough question for me atleast.

But if I was to guess at it I would say you probably could use the same principle for fornication as seen here for Adultery.

Matthew 5:28-29. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

If you eyes leads you to lust you pluck them out.

So if your hugging and kissing leads one to lust then maybe you shouldn't.

I would go further to say if ones testimony or credibility as a Christian is in question why not get married?

None believers look for such things to attack the Church.

God bless.

Hi Prasanth Konde --> on Judges 2 - who is the Angel name in verse 1?

How to get to his name? Actually he is an archangel. He is a warrior.

He is the same who appeared to Moses in the mount Sina- Exodus 3:v.1-2 and Acts 7:v.30-33;

It is he who appears between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel in Exodus 14:v.19-20;

GOD reveals to Moses how the behaviour of this angel is. He is severe. Exodus 23:v.20-23

It is he who stood in the way for an adversary against Balaam with his sharp Sword: Numbers 22:v.22 onwards;

Joshua saw him in Jericho when he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his Sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain (or Prince) of the host of the Lord am I now come.

His name? Daniel 12:v.1-3

Hello Margaret. If you're referring to Exodus 23:3, "Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause", then I'm not sure where you got the "putting on a sad face".

If I read that verse using today's verbiage, I would read it as: 'You should not show partiality to a poor person pleas (as done in legal proceedings) because of his status'. This could happen if the scales of justice are imbalanced when a preference, whether given by a witness or by the system, is shown to one because of his lowly position than to the well-to-do person who could actually be the guiltless one under a fair impartial system. Justice should not show favouritism - Justice must be based on true, verifiable facts.

Please explain the meaning of this verse. Not put on a sad face?

Good day brother John,

I enjoyed reading your reply and if I can't fit everything in this post I will make another to go along with it.

I'll start with this "Is it not GOD Who comes down, to open the Seals, as HE alone can do that, to call out HIS children for 1Thes.4:15-16?

How does GOD communicate with HIS children?

Deut.18:18; Amos 3:7 explain that, prophets, through whom HE, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, communicates.

As we're told that Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God, is the only one worthy to take, from God, and open, or even look upon, the book with the seven seals.

I believe I understand your perception of how God communicates with His children. Through the Spirit of His Son, or the Holy Ghost, with whom we have been blessed to receive when we gave our lives to the Lord. Him knowing our hearts and who is ready to receive the Spirit of Christ. Receiving the Spirit of Truth that shall help guide, and teach, us in all things to live for the will of our Father. If you meant anything else please correct me.

Before I get to the angel in Revelation 10 I would like to post something I perceive. As I have spent some time reading through the Scriptures, and others with views to this, I would like to bring up the Angel of the LORD in the OT. He is first spoken of in Genesis 16:7-13. As He is the one who stopped Abraham from slaying Isaac. Also as He is stated to be the one in the burning bush who spoke to Moses. As most of these accounts with Him also indicate Him as the LORD our God.

An account of an Angel that God warns them to obey because "my name is in Him". Exodus 23:21. My perception is that this may be(I say may as only God knows the Truth of this and is only my perception) the pre incarnate Jesus Christ.

Sorry about that, I just thought I'd put that in here. So back to the angel in Revelation 10.

Will continue in next post:

Brother Michael,

You and others here are confusing and trying to complicate the issue....by trying to mix in the old ceremonial laws into the 10 Commandments.

Below you state:

Do you keep God's commandments by getting circumcised as per Leviticus 12:3?

Do you keep God's commandments and dwell in booths for seven days every year as per Leviticus 23:42?

Do you make fringes on the border of your garments as per God's commandment at Numbers 15:38?

Do you go up to Jerusalem three times a year as per God's commandment at Exodus 23:17?

God's 10 Commandments DO NOT include any of the above listed old testament ceremonial laws.

Brother Michael: Do you believe this scripture verse below spoken by Jesus?

John 14:15

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

God bless

Hello Vince,

Thank you for your response. Yes, we both agree that we must obey God's commandments and remain faithful until death to inherit the blessings. Where we don't, perhaps, see eye to eye is what are the commandments of God today.

Do you keep God's commandments by getting circumcised as per Leviticus 12:3?

Do you keep God's commandments and dwell in booths for seven days every year as per Leviticus 23:42?

Do you make fringes on the border of your garments as per God's commandment at Numbers 15:38?

Do you go up to Jerusalem three times a year as per God's commandment at Exodus 23:17?

If you answer no, it seems to me that you don't, after all, obey God's commandments. Jesus and the Apostle John did not say, "If you obey the 10 commandments", but rather, "If you obey the commandments" (all the commandments). The question arises, though, which commandments?

I would suggest the commandments of the New Covenant (or Testament) found in the portion of our Bibles called the New Testament.

As for Matthew 5:17-18, please note one important point - it says till all be fulfilled. The purpose of the law was fulfilled when Christ offered up his perfect life in sacrifice. Then, it was done away with. Notice:

Galatians 3:23-25 "But before faith came, we were kept under the law (a schoolmaster), shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore THE LAW WAS our SCHOOLMASTER to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But AFTER that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster (the law).

That's why Jesus also said at the parallel account of Matthew 5:17-18 found at Luke 16:16.

Luke 16:16 "The LAW and the prophets WERE UNTIL JOHN: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

Then, Jesus set up the New Covenant.

Luke 22:20 "Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you."

I welcome your further thoughts.

Good day, Vince.

Wow. You shall be in my prayers. You just stated the Father, the Son(Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost are confused? It is clear you do not believe the Scriptures and have your own carnal idea of God. Matthew 12:32, Matthew 12:36.

Also you do not believe, or understand, the words of Christ like John 10:30?

You know God says listen to His Son right? Matthew 17:5. Even further like the Angel of the LORD in the OT. Exodus 23:20-22.

Also to glorify the Son is to glorify the Father. As they are ONE. John 14:13-14. The only way to eternal life is through the Son of God. John 14:6. 1 John 5:11-13.

God is ONE. I pray the Lord leads you to leave your own beliefs behind and trust Him and His Word.

You seem to believe in the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Though you seem to doubt who the Lord is just like the Pharisees did. Bringing Him down to "just a man". Matthew 5:20.

God Bless.

Hello all,

I just thought I would state this detail of a verse that came to light.

In Colossians 1:19. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell;

As this is after speaking of Jesus Christ being the image of the invisible God and by Him and for Him were all things created. You may note that "the Father" is in italics in verse 19. Because in the Textus Receptus it is not there. It would actually read something like "for in Him it was pleasing that all the fullness dwelt".

Jesus Christ is more than a man and He existed before He was born. He was in on Creation. I can't understand how some would state that all the Words in His mouth were of His Father. Of coarse I understand the Father is in Him and giving Him all His Words to speak. Though you can easily see Jesus Christ is His own person with His own soul. Speaking to and of the Father constantly. Jesus Christ is most definitely ONE with the Father and just as much God though the Son. He is at the right Hand of God. A couple more verses stating He existed before He was born: John 3:12-13, John 6:38, John 5:45-47, John 6:62, John 8:58.

Maybe just to bring up the Angel of the LORD in the OT. Just one instance is Exodus 23:21. Not just a regular angel or even an archangel. How in Joshua 5:13-15. Where a Host of YHWH tells Joshua to take his shoes off for he is on Holy ground. As in Exodus 3:1-6. Again said to be an Angel of the LORD which is then stated as YHWH. God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Where Moses is told to take His shoes off. I would think because where YHWH is, is Holy ground.

I believe the Angel of the Lord in the OT is the pre incarnate Jesus Christ. Could I be wrong? Yes. As I have many other things to prove YHWH is not just one as normal people may perceive. Almighty God is ONE period.

I really don't know why people are trying to attack the deity of Christ. One day we will all have to stand before Him.

God Bless.

In Exodus 23:10,11, we read: "And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard."

This seventh year of rest was based on the sabbath rest commanded to Israel, whereby they worked for six days & rested on the seventh for the recuperation of mind & body. Likewise, the land was to be 'rested' (i.e. no plowing, seeding or harvesting), & whatever grew from the previous year's harvest, from the rains, were not to be harvested, but left for the poor to gather for themselves & as food for the wild animals. In this way also, it gave the soil time to rejuvenate & to not always be depleted of its nutrients. Today, farmers use crop rotation or a multiple field rotation so that the land remains healthy & productive.

These scriptures may help you.

Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 17:22

Proverbs 14:27

Psalm 112:7 not afraid of evil tidings

Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 97

Psalm 120

Psalm 91

Psalm 63:6-8

Psalm 62:8

Exodus 23:25, Exodus 15:26

Psalm 31:22, 31:5

James 5:15

John 11:25

It builds us up in our faith, the more of these we can quote to ourselves every day, the stronger your faith in God.

The Lord tells us to Fear Not; so fear erodes our faith. Stand in faith and trust in God.

If you have a church you attend, then go by there and ask them to anoint you and pray the prayer of faith. James 5:15

Highlight these scriptures. Use every day.

Psalm 41:3

The LORD will strengthen him on his bed of illness; You will sustain him on his sickbed.

Proverbs 3:7-8

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

Exodus 23:25

So you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.

Psalm 91:15-16

He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.

Psalm 30:2

O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me.

Psalm 107:19-20

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.

Psalm 73:4-5

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

Psalm 107:20

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 38:16

O Lord, by these things men live; And in all these things is the life of my spirit; So You will restore me and make me live.

Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.

Psalm 34:19

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 55:18

He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.

Psalm 42:11

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

1 Timothy 2:5

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

There is no benefit to pray to Mary. Because she is not God. It is abomination to pray to her.

1st commandment: Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Exodus 23:24

Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

This scripture is clear, God is saying to me that of the ways believers people of God can defeat the enemies of their health and Blessings is by their service to God. Serving God with ur Treasure, Talent and ur Time.

Genesis 15:1 & Genesis 15:6 (in principal)

What Jesus did = Matthew 9:35

Promises = Exodus 23:25 , Deuteronomy 7:15 , Psalm 41:1 -3 ,

Judgement = Deuteronomy 28:61 ,

Instruction = 2 Chronicles 6:28 -29 , James 5:14 -15

Halloween yes but Christmas is the day of Jesus birth and Easter is when he rose from the dead. If he had not done this we all would have no hope.

Naomi Terry, please read these KJV Bible scriptures concerning your question, 1 Corinthians 6:1-8 - 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 - Matthew 5:25 - Matthew 5:38-48 - Matthew 18:15-17 - Proverbs 16:7 - Proverbs 25:8 - Romans 13:1-7 - Exodus 23:2 - Exodus 23:6.

Verse 2~We don't want to follow after the crowd when it is to do bad. We want to make sure that we are doing what is pleasing to Jehovah God.

The challenge for us as Christians, and the trial that melts us down, is knowing how to die to self and bear up cheerfully under such violence and cruelty and FALSEHOOD, without getting angry and upset. And it will be even more difficult and painful once we are in the middle of it, and the attacks seem to come from every side. That is when we must surrender all to Jesus, and not harden our hearts.

Cowardice forsakes a godly character because of fear of men. Peer pressure is a wicked tool of the devil used to get the simple to "countenance" an evil word and an evil-minded crowd. We need to "stand our man" and not care a thing for whether we are mocked or ridiculed or separated from family and friends, because we don't follow the party line; however aggressive and persistent they pursue us!

"Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: Neither shalt thou countenance (to support or encourage; sanction) a poor man in his cause." The cause of the poor is not automatically right just because he is poor!

"But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard." The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath; and NOT for the rich and powerful to use it to oppress the poor! A mark of a son of the devil is religious oppression.

Verse 20: Jehovah God put an angel before the nation of Israel. Their survival depended on whether they obeyed and followed the direction of that angel.

End of day 23 in Bible in a Year Reading. I used to think that God placed a lot of rules/laws on the Hebrew people. Now I look at the laws and codes in just the area I live and realize that humans create far more laws that have little noble or educational purpose. Laws upon laws. God's law clearly defines sin as sin. No preference given. Equal treatment with love as the final objective.

I beleeue in Yeshua Hamashiach and I beleeue that he is the Risen Christ and that he is the Sonne of the Living God and that he is the Living God. and I loue you all.

@ Miister Jan, you are exactly right! Easter is derived from Ishtar/ Astaroth/ Astarte: the satanic, pagan false goddess of the satanic seed line. As The Lord commanded, we are to observe The Passover, Pentecost Day and Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus became OUR Passover when He was sacrificed for us. (1 Cor. ch. 5; Luke ch. 22). Halloween, 'Christmas' and Easter all have pagan/ satanic roots.

Ex.23:2 - "Thou shalt not follow ....." To follow a multitude, whether they are PLANNING on evil - or not - is foolish. Because - you do not KNOW what will happen in a crowd. That's why there are ALWAYS law enforcement at ANY gathering. Christians do not follow the world's people; we PRAY for them.