출애굽기 23장 1-13절

In Exodus 21-23 God focuses primarily on the last 6 commandments spelling out specific details on how Israel were to interact with one another.

​And in this passage, God speaks more in details about what obeying the 9th commandment—The commandment not to bear false witness. This set of laws or exhortations, calls on the people of God and especially on those who are in positions of influence to be truthful and to show integrity in our dealings and interactions with others including our enemies. What we learn in this passage is that our personal commitment to holiness is to show itself in our public fairness and truthfulness in the context of disagreement and disputes.

This section ends with a reminder to recalibrate our hearts and lives by resting in God. In the calendar of Israel, God set up means of readjusting things. Just as people were commanded to rest every seventh day, so the land was to be allowed to rest during the seventh year. This sabbatical year allowed the land to replenish for greater growth and vitality into the future. In addition, debts were canceled, and slaves were set free.

In the same way, with our busy schedules and our hectic pace of life, we too need to rest and be readjusted. Demands of work, family, and church can require reevaluation. One way we do that is by observing the sabbath principle—making sure to set aside time to rest and prayerfully refocus our priorities. By resting in the Lord, we can start to refocus and center our lives on God and the things of God and remove anything that might obstruct or get in the way of us doing that.

Prayer: Father God, that you that you have given us such details in how we can show love for one another. Help us to pursue justice and integrity in our relationship with you and our neighbors. Give us the confidence to not do these things on our own, but to rest in the finished work of Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.