Exodus 23:1 You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. I. NOT TO CO-OPERATE IN AN UNRIGHTEOUS CAUSE (ver. 1). This "commandment is exceeding broad," and conveys a lesson — 1. To judicial witnesses. (1) Personal friendships. (2) The guilt of the accused on some other point. (3) A show of justice must not influence us. 2. To all partisans, controversialists, politicians. 3. To trades unionists, etc. II. NOT TO CO-OPERATE IN ANY UNRIGHTEOUS CAUSE BECAUSE IT IS POPULAR (ver. 2). 1. Because majorities are no test of truth. Multitudes may be roused by passion, prejudice, or self-interest. 2. Because men should be weighed as well as counted. 3. Because righteousness, from the constitution of human nature, is often unpopular and in the minority. III. NOT TO CO-OPERATE IN AN UNRIGHTEOUS CAUSE BECAUSE IT IS APPARENTLY BENEVOLENT (ver. 3; Leviticus 19:15). 1. Because we may be putting a premium on vice which is the source of all misery. (1) By endeavouring to conceal the crime. (2) By extolling other virtues, so as to minimize the enormity of guilt. But to what purpose is it if we extol a man's honesty, if he is lazy, or a drunkard; or his sobriety, if a thief? 2. Because justice is above mere sentiment, and for the well-being of the whole community, and not for the exclusive benefit of a class. 3. Because of its influence on the object himself. Let a man feel that you do this or that for him simply because he is poor, and he will see no advantage in helping himself.Learn then — 1. To entertain none but righteous considerations. 2. To pursue them at all cost. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. |
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