Exodus 23:1-33
Saturday, 15 March 2025
“Do not spread false rumors, and do not help a guilty person by giving false testimony. Do not follow the majority when they do wrong or when they give testimony that perverts justice.”- Exodus 23:1-2
Truth is sometimes bitter and sometime hard to swallow but truth sets us free. God is not only concerned about our wellbeing, but He is also concerned about the interactive relationship of His people and the role they play in society and daily life activities.
Our stance for the truth and relationship with the word of God is of vital importance. When we believe in what we stand for and stand on what we believe, it brings great reward. Following the crowd in whatever decision they make, may appear to look well but standing alone outside the crowd for the LORD is worth more than any treasure. In Exodus 32:1-17, we see how the people were persuaded to make a golden calf. But Joshua in verse 17 waited patiently during all the forty days, in the place where Moses had left him below the summit of the mount, at a distance from the people, and out of the way of temptation.
This is why our Lord and Maker took His time to express His heart in the empowerment of his people and their relationship, by giving them guidelines how to live. The laws given to them were both in their relationship with God as well as with their fellow beings. The key verse warns of spreading false rumours and giving false testimony. The Lord cautions them against it. Words have power and their effects can be either good or harmful. When people speak of others mindlessly and maliciously, it does great harm to their lives. Paul in his letter to the brethren in Ephesus, admonishes them: “Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.” (Ephesians 4:29).
Our stance for the truth in our association, communion and interaction with others must be in accordance with the Lord’s purpose and desire for our lives and that of others. As His people, we should always consider the desire and purpose of the Lord in the discharge of our duty as we relate with His creation upon the face of the earth.
Our Lord and Master knew that His children will be placed in diverse facets of life and as a result will be representing His visible presence on earth in that particular area of assignment; it could be in various roles as Pastors, Magistrates, Judges, Nurses etc. Wherever our placements are, the Lord's authority must be considered in our duty, because He is keen and very much concerned of the way His people are treated regardless of race or nationality. The Lord expects us to treat all people with fairness. Our stance should not only be for people whom we are acquainted with, but to all of God’s creation, particularly to strangers and foreigners, widows and orphans, the poor (V.9). Our stance is to do that which we believe the Lord our God would have done when He is present.
As God’s people may we learn to treat others with fairness and truth and not be pulled into spreading false rumours or perverting justice.
Thought for the Day: “For whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.” (1 Peter 3:10)
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