Accountability

This can be a very scary word, but actually the greatest tool to keep us on point with what we want to accomplish (or what someone else has asked us to do!). As Moms, we sometimes can feel like we are at it alone, or that the responsibility falls solely on us. When we believe this, it's difficult to get things done & stay productive. But in reality, "account-ability" gives us the ability to do more! Why is that? Because we are responsible to someone else for what we are responsible to complete. This is what God was doing with the Israelites when He presented His laws to them. Sure, some could take the laws as controlling, or some could realize they are actually for their benefit, and the consequences motivate them to di their best & live their best!

The first section of this reading deals with different levels of stealing. We would want a theft to be accountable for their actions, right?

"If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution." Exodus 22:5.

A common theme among these laws is restitution. God not only gives the "should not," but He helps us to make things right again. The consequence of this above sin is to give of the best of your field if your animal eats of the best of someone else's. Seems fair, right? Remember, vengeance is The Lord's! So before any of these mistakes were made, God put in place what would happen. This is definitely not controlling; it's helping!

"If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution." Exodus 22:6.

Again, restitution! This kind of accountability helps us by knowing what's expected from us when we do wrong, and what we can expect in return if someone wrongs us. If we choose not to hold ourselves accountable, we will live a pretty reckless life with no true fulfillment. Sometimes, it takes a little self-submission and accountability to bring the best out of us!

"If a man deliver unto his neighbour an ass, or an ox, or a sheep, or any beast, to keep; and it die, or be hurt, or driven away, no man seeing it: Then shall an oath of the Lord be between them both, that he hath not put his hand unto his neighbour's goods; and the owner of it shall accept thereof, and he shall not make it good. And if it be stolen from him, he shall make restitution unto the owner thereof."
Exodus 22:10‭-‬12.

When people borrow things, they should be accountable for returning them in the same condition, right? But God even desires to show us mercy in these types of situations too! Accidents can happen. Sometimes, we return things that somehow get a little messed up over time. The important thing is, it was returned! But if someone keeps the borrowed thing & doesn't return it, then restitution is required.

"Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:" Exodus 23:1‭-‬2.

If your friend jumps off a bridge, will you do it too? This has been said countless times, and usually the answer was an obvious "no" when our parents asked us this as kids. But as we get older, we get closer & closer with our friends and want to impress them more & more. Then, the line gets blurred of what we should & should not do. But as the Scripture states, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." Kids aren't the only ones who need to be accountable. With all the choices we can make as adults, it seems these laws can help us out a lot!

"Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed." Exodus 23:12.

Not only did God want the Israelites to be accountable to restitution, but to rest in general! Slow down: "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalms 46:10. Take a second to remember God & how much He loves you. Yes, God spoke these laws to the people through Moses, but it's important to remember who the people (including us) are truly accountable to: GOD. Every day, we are trying to be more like Him, and that's why we're accountable. I think that's a beautiful reason!

God then sent an angel to help His people: "Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries." Exodus 23:21‭-‬22. God will use His Angel's to help us from time to time! He will fight our battles! Obedience is a small thing to ask when we are up against our enemies!

"And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar. And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." Exodus 24:6‭-‬7.

It took sacrifice & submission, but the Israelites decided to be obedient. They decided to be accountable. They knew the laws were of God & not of man. The blood made it official, and Jesus' Blood over us does the same thing. Make it official, be accountable! In the end, it's not holding us back, it's helping us out! Our God is an AWESOME GOD!