Exodus 23-24

“All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do!” (v24:3).  This declaration of obedience was probably sincere, but the Israelites quickly gave in to pride, lust, greed, and anger, just as we all do.  However, the Law was not pointless; for “through the Law comes the knowledge of sin (Rom 3:20).  Laws such as “You shall not oppress a stranger” (23:9) taught the Israelites about righteousness, even if they could not possibly fulfill the Law’s requirements.

The Law demonstrated the character of the “God of Abraham.”  He was not a vague force, but a Creator who cared about how His people lived.