The Ordinances

"Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them" (Exodus 21:1). God's ordinances are matters of conduct on which He has ruled, giving Israel a precedent to follow in rendering judgment. That is why the King James Version often translates the Hebrew word as "judgment." It comes from mishpat, from a root meaning to judge, govern, vindicate or punish. The ordinances are Yahweh's rulings on cases with a clear, final decision, and in them we see true justice and righteousness. Many ordinances are not defined in the Law, but are mentioned as already known, which suggests they were passed down by word of mouth through the priests and Levites. This category is part of The Law of Moses. Its study, "The Male Servant," looks at male servitude under the Old Covenant and the spiritual truth beneath it. Through the ordinances, we gain insight into the perfection of Yahweh's wisdom, understanding and truth. Explore the related categories to see how each part of the Law reveals God.