We are in chapter twenty-one of Exodus with our word for today. בָּגַד deal treacherously with, act treacherously, depart treacherously from, break faith. It is used 49 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used to identify the actions that are synonymous with the wicked. Proverbs 2:22 The wicked will be cut off from the land, and the וּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗ים treacherous will be rooted out of it. Psalm 59:5 You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked בֹּ֖גְדֵי traitors. Our word is used as a contrast against the righteous. Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the בּוֹגְדִ֣ים treacherous destroys them. Proverbs 11:6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the בֹּגְדִ֥ים treacherous are taken captive by their lust. Our word is used to describe the unfaithfulness of a spouse and God’s people. Jeremiah 3:20 But like a woman בָּגְדָ֥ה unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been בְּגַדְתֶּ֥ם unfaithful to me,” declares the Lord. This is the sense of breaking faith is the sense of how our word is used in our chapter. Exodus 21:8 If she does not please her master, who has designated her for himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, since he has בְּבִגְדוֹbroken faith with her. Did you catch that the master can’t do whatever he wants with his slave? This is unheard of compared to other known history during this time period or really any time that a slave would actually have any rights. The master is actually breaking faith in that he is not living up to the rules God has set up for him to follow. God’s rules are actually set up to protect people that he loves. I’ll close with this great list of benefits from God’s laws and rules. Psalm 19:7-14 The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
