Justice

"You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute. Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty. You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just." -Exodus 23.6-8

God is just, and He loves justice, carried out correctly. Vengeance is not ours to take, and though it may give a wrong doer something that they probably deserve, it is not justice. But that is not what God is talking about here. He says to not prevent justice that is due to a needy brother. Don't overlook the poor in favor of the rich because the rich can do something for you. We need to do what is right and bring justice to those who cannot obtain it themselves.

There are Biblical grounds for the death penalty, and there are certain times when God orders it to be carried out, but in those cases false charges are to be thrown out so that the innocent and the righteous are not killed. God will not over look the punishment of those who have done nothing to deserve it. Let us stand firmly in defense of the innocent and do all that we can to protect them.

We live in a world where the rich try to buy everything, even justice. Those with wealth try to buy favor at the expense of the innocent, and so God tells His people not to take a bribe. It causes those who know the truth to question what they should do. It causes justice to be denied for the financial gain, and those who accept one ignore what they know is right.

Men, we have been given strength so that we can administer justice. May we never deny it, and may we never allow ourselves to be bought off. God will not overlook justice that we didn't fight for and give our best effort to carry out. May we never be counted among those who refused to stand for what is right.

Let us live for justice, and stand firmly for the innocent

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Reaction to Your Enemy

"If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release it with him." -Exodus 23.4-5

We see here the beginning of a new way of thinking. When you think of an enemy you think of someone who is against you, someone who wants to destroy you, and naturally your reaction is to hate and fight back. If you have the opportunity to take an advantage over your enemy do it, hurt them before they can hurt you. But this isn't the mindset God wants His people to have. God doesn't want His people to live like everyone else.

God says that if you enemy's animal is wandering, get a hold of it and return it to him. Don't simply make a note about it and let him know, but make the effort and return it to him. If you see your enemies donkey under its load unable to move, set it free and save its life. Do what you can to help your enemy. God wants his people to do what is right, regardless of who that right action will benefit.

Men, what is your response to your enemies? In America we don't have to worry about returning oxen or donkeys, but what if you saw your enemy's lights on in their car? What if you drove by their house and saw that the door had been kicked in? What would your response be? Would you do the right thing, or simply keep moving because of who it was?

God wants us to take the time to do what's right. He wants us to do for our enemies what we would do for our closest friends. This line of thinking, rather this way of living, is one we'll see throughout the Bible. God is instructing His people to be set apart by how they live. So let us do what is right towards our enemies.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor

Righteous, Just, Holy

"You shall not follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after a multitude in order to pervert justice; nor shall you be partial to a poor man in his dispute." -Exodus 23.2-3

Following the instruction to be holy men, God gives more guidance on how to do that, aside from throwing meat that has been torn to pieces to the dogs. Here the people are told not to follow the masses in doing evil, nor shall they testify on the account of something that prevents justice. Holy men do what is right at all times, not just when it's popular. Holy men, always seek justice.

As I read these words I keep hearing Liam Neeson say the line to the left from Kingdom of Heaven, "Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright, that God may love thee. Speak the truth, always, even if it leads to your death. Safeguard the helpless and do no wrong. That is your oath." That is how holy men live.

But there is more to holy living than simply doing what is right and protecting justice. Holy men don't show partiality to the poor man simply because he is poor. If his position is just, then stand by him, but don't stand up for him simply because you feel sorry for him. The holy man allows acts in behalf of justice.

Men, are you striving to be holy? do you boldly stand up for what is true instead of what is popular? Do you live righteously and honestly no matter what the cost may be? Do you stand up for those who need help regardless of their social status? God has called you to be holy, let us strive to do what is right.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor