Every so often, I find myself reading parts of the old Jewish laws (Exodus-Deuteronomy). While I enter feeling confident that I’ll find something of value, I confess to a fair bit of shrugging when I read about what could or couldn’t be eaten, how it should or shouldn’t be prepared, and what objects were considered “holy” and how they were to be handled (or not handled at all!). I don’t know what to do with most of the laws about house-cleaning or skin conditions. Simply put, a lot of these laws are about things I’ve never even seen.
Take donkeys and oxen, for example.
I’ve SEEN them. But never in these circumstances (Exodus 23:4-5)…
4“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.
No, I’ve never been in that situation. But the gist of it… yeah, I can catch that.
Passive living isn’t for us.
Seeing something loving to do and doing nothing instead… not an option.
Having the power to act but looking the other way… can’t do that.
Caring for others and doing what we can to right things that are wrong… that’s the direction.
See you on the donkey trail.
