Do Not Follow the Crowd

June 3, 2012

Lesson: Exodus 23:1–9

Key Verse: Exodus 23:2

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Introduction

The application of the Law of God is as important as the Law itself. It could be put this way: the righteous Law of God produces fruits of righteousness and justice. These fruits are seen in the relationship between God and man, and man and man. Whereas sin is a transgression of the Law of God; the Law of God condemning us as sinners, we thank God in repentance that “I had not known sin, but by the law; for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet” (Rom. 7:7). The Law confirms that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23); the need of redemption in Christ being set before us: “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (Christ taking our place before the judgment seat of the Father) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God” (Rom. 3:24–25). Therefore we rejoice with thanksgiving for the coming of the Son of God, Christ Jesus, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pe. 2:24–25).

Being made free from the curse of the Law, the Law becomes a blessing to us by building us up in righteousness, truth, and justice; that we might become more and more like Christ who is alone our righteousness. Scripture teaches us that we “are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:19–22). Therefore, to the Law of righteousness, we too hear the warning of our Lord, as did the people before Moses: “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil” (Ex. 23:2). Wisdom speaks clearly that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but the fools despise wisdom and instruction;” and that “if sinners entice thee, consent not” (Prov. 1:7, 10).

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Practice Righteousness—Exodus 23:1–5

The Law states clearly, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Ex. 20:13). When one politician seeks to spread lies against another’s character, he is transgressing the Law of God, revealing his own corrupt heart. In other words, we are not to “raise a false report” against another. When we do so, we are joining hands with the wicked, practicing the art of being “an unrighteous witness.” Wisdom speaks, “Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right” (Prov. 16:13). Men seek to gain positions of power with lies and money; but “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (Prov. 16:8). The tongue can speak evil or speak righteousness of another. Christ admonishes men, “For by the words thou shalt be justified; and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matt. 12:37).

The Lord declares in His Law, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). The Lord ‘Jehovah” is the only God, in three Persons, our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. There is no other Deliverer who can lead us in the way of truth in all areas of our lives. There is no other ‘authority” before Him. As Creator, we examine man’s science by God’s revealed Word. As Savior, we understand that, by His Word, we have transgressed His Law; therefore we are in need of a Deliverer who would be our Redeemer. As Sustainer, He providentially cares for us with an unconditional love. Therefore, we shall “not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.” There are many who claim authority over our lives, how we shall live, what we shall eat, and how we shall worship our Lord. We are to judge righteously, not to stretch the truth that judgment may not be of man’s thoughts, but of God’s moral law. The wicked man easily twists Scripture to suit his own way, as in the union of the same sex. The marriage of a man and a woman alone glorifies God; this is not up for discussion, but is a matter of obedience. We must not attempt to overrule the Word of God by inserting our own unrighteous desires. “We must enquire what we ought to do, not what the majority do; because we must be judged by our Master, not by our fellow-servants, and it is too great a compliment to be willing to go to hell for company” (M. Henry).

The Lord declares that “Neither shall thou countenance a poor man in his cause.” If a poor man is wicked, we must not overlook his wickedness because we may feel sorry for him. Our witness must be what is right, with the desire that he might turn from his wicked ways and repent; forgiveness and hope are in Christ alone. The Lord speaks of how we are to act in Christ, our action being motivated by Him and not by those around us. For example: “If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or or his donkey going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. If thou see the donkey of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forebear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.” We are to be witnesses of the righteousness of the Law of God as a true blessing.

Discussion: What does it mean to be a true witness to the Law of God?

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Do Justice—Exodus 23:6–9

True justice comes from our Creator. Our actions should reveal God’s justice, truth, and righteousness, which are our way of life, as we are created after His image. Again we have the example of our relationship with others who have not the riches of righteousness: “Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.” We are to “remember they are thy poor, bone of thy bone, thy poor neighbors, thy poor brethren; let them not therefore fare the worse for being poor” (M. Henry). Beware of burdening the poor, for they have burdened themselves: “Keep thee far from a false matter: and the innocent and righteous slay thou not but I will not justify the wicked.” The Lord will bring about the deserved punishment. Let us not be the oppressors.

“And thou shalt take no gift; for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.” This evil is well known among us today. For the wicked work hard to see their unrighteous deeds bear wicked fruits, through the practice of bribes. Judges “must not only not be swayed by a gift to give an unjust judgment, to condemn the innocent, or acquit the guilty, or adjudge a man’s right from him, but they must not so much as take a gift, lest it should have a bad influence upon them, and overrule them, contrary to their intentions; for it has a strange tendency to blind those that otherwise would do well” (M. Henry).

The Lord continues to admonish us, and especially the Judges: “Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.” We also know what it means to be delivered from the darkness of transgression: For we were once strangers: “For through (Christ) we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto a holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:18–22). Therefore, being made new in Christ Jesus, our life must reveal Him in grace and righteousness: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:3–5).

Discussion: How and why should we practice justice in the midst of our neighbors?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2012 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.