Old Testament | Exodus 22:21-27 (with Nick Locke)

Opening Song:
For the One by Jenn Johnson and Paul McClure

Lyrics:
Let me be filled
With kindness and compassion for the one
The one for whom You loved and gave Your Son
For humanity increase my love

Help me to love with open arms like You do
A love that erases all the lines and sees the truth
Oh that when they look in my eyes
They would see You
Even in just a smile
They would feel the Father’s love

Oh how You love us
From the homeless to the famous and in-between
You formed us You made us carefully
‘Cause in the end we’re all Your children

So let all my life tell of who You are
And the wonder of Your never-ending love
Oh let all my life tell of who you are
That You’re wonderful and such a good Father

That You are wonderful and such a good Father

Passage:
21 “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. 22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.

25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

Musical Reflection:
Piano Sonata No. 16 in C Major, K. 545: II. Andante by W. A. Mozart

Reflection Notes:
In true fashion for Mozart’s middle movements, this Andante blooms slowly with gentle and delicate notes; the melody ascends in joyful fashion at the most climactic points before settling back down with the satisfying left hand harmonies.

Prayer:
Father, what we know not, teach us; what we have not, give us; what we are not, make us; for the sake of your Son our Savior. Amen.
-Old Anglican Prayer