Presbyterian
Christian Church beliefs
love thy neighbor
Donald Trump is said
to be a 'Presbyterian'?
What is an Oxymoron?
Justice and
Neighbor-love
Series: Exodus
The Ten Words give
us the fundamental principles for Israel's society and the covenant code here
in Exodus 21, 22, and chapter 23 specifically applies those principles to the
social context in which Israel found herself. And so the code is at least, in part,
a temporary and derivative application of those general principles. And you
don't have to
look far to find
changes even within the first five books of the Bible of some of the specific
applications of these general principles.
That having been
said, it is also clear that there are general lessons which are still
applicable to us today.
For instance, as we study the covenant code, it is stressed over and over that we are all accountable to God. How we respond in specific situations in dispensing justice to neighbor is something about which we are accountable to God.
Secondly, the covenant code makes it clear that we are to be concerned for the welfare of our neighbor,
and
that holiness is more than personal piety; it is about public morality.
And
we've seen some of the instances of public morality dealt with so far.
Believe it or not, over the course of this study we've dealt with the subjects of worship, slavery, murder and manslaughter, the death penalty, laws about bodily injuries–due penalty, appropriate penalty for the particular crime, theft, negligence, restitution, seduction, three significant societal capital crimes, how you go about caring for strangers or resident aliens, widows and orphans, lending to the needy, respect for rulers, the giving of the first fruits and ceremonial consecration.
All of those things so far in the covenant code from Exodus 20 to this point here in Exodus 23.
For instance, as we study the covenant code, it is stressed over and over that we are all accountable to God. How we respond in specific situations in dispensing justice to neighbor is something about which we are accountable to God.
Secondly, the covenant code makes it clear that we are to be concerned for the welfare of our neighbor,
and
that holiness is more than personal piety; it is about public morality.
And
we've seen some of the instances of public morality dealt with so far.
Believe it or not, over the course of this study we've dealt with the subjects of worship, slavery, murder and manslaughter, the death penalty, laws about bodily injuries–due penalty, appropriate penalty for the particular crime, theft, negligence, restitution, seduction, three significant societal capital crimes, how you go about caring for strangers or resident aliens, widows and orphans, lending to the needy, respect for rulers, the giving of the first fruits and ceremonial consecration.
All of those things so far in the covenant code from Exodus 20 to this point here in Exodus 23.
With this message,
we come to a section that in the main applies
the ninth commandment— the commandment not to bear false witness.
In the main, this set of laws or exhortations, calls on the people of God
and
especially on those who are in positions of influence
judges for instance,
to be truthful in their dealings in the settings of the courts, but also it exhorts us to kindness to our enemies.
So let's hear God's word in Exodus 23,
beginning in verse 1.
the ninth commandment— the commandment not to bear false witness.
In the main, this set of laws or exhortations, calls on the people of God
and
especially on those who are in positions of influence
judges for instance,
to be truthful in their dealings in the settings of the courts, but also it exhorts us to kindness to our enemies.
So let's hear God's word in Exodus 23,
beginning in verse 1.
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