The word of God, as recorded in the Holy Book, is a lamp that guides our lives and our fortress in the time of need. The word guides in our day to day operations through adherence to the instructions given all through various lessons learnt from particular passages in the bible. Guided by the Holy Spirit, as Christians, we should pray for understanding of the word for us to be able to lead a Godly life. One of the law passages to consider is the book of Exodus 23: 1-3, which instructs us on not to spread false reports nor be protecting the guilty in verse 1. Verse two of the scripture warns us against perverting Justice, while verse 3 warns us against favouring the poor while practising Law. For us to understand these verses even better, this paper will examine the context of the passage, identify the laws involved, outline the legal requirements in the passage, discuss the importance of Law in Israel as well as apply the constitutes of the Law in the contemporary society.
Context of the passage
Throughout their tribulations in Egypt, the struggle to get the children of Israel from Egypt as Pharaoh hardened his heart, crossing of the Red Sea and also during their journey in the wilderness, the spirit of God did not depart the children of Israel. In the whole trip, even when they lost hope and also blaming Moses of bringing them to die in the desert when they were hungry and thirsty, God acted as their provider. When Jethro, Moses’ father-in Law heard the great deeds of God upon the children of Israel, he was delighted, and he came to meet Moses in the wilderness. Jethro noticed that all day, Moses spent time delivering judgment to the people of Israel and reminding them of God’s will. Later on, Jethro approached Moses and told him that what he was doing it was not right and that he should appoint reputable men to be judges. Moses took on his father-in-law advise and appointed judges who throughout the seasons delivered judgements.
The children of Israel continued with their journey in the wilderness and the third month, Lord appeared to Moses on the Mountain and gave him some commands to deliver to the children of Israel. The Lord also instructed Moses that, on the third day, God will appear to the children of Israel, and none of them should touch the border of the Mountain and that Moses should sanctify them. Moses headed to the Lord’s instructions and blessed the people and instructed them to wash their linen. On a particular day, Lord descended upon the people in the form of fire and smoke. Filled with fear, the Children of Israel went further away. After addressing the Children of Israel as a whole, God talked to Moses, where he delivered many laws, including the rules on the conduct of judges.
Kind of laws delivered.
In outlining the laws that Moses was to issue the children Israel with, the Lord God was very keen in rendering laws regarding the Conduct of Judges in delivering Justice to the people, the conduct of people in the face of judgment as well as Mercy. In Exodus 23: 1, the bible says “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness”. This verse warns the children of Israel of engaging in any acts that may hinder Justice in the face of Law. The vices that the children of Israel are majorly warned against is issuing of reports that are not true and acting as a witness to protect an individual who has committed an offence against the Law.
Verse 2 of the scripture, the bible says “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd”. This verse gives instructions to the children of Israel on matters pertaining doing what is right in the process of Justice and not to compromise their integrity in giving testimony during judgement by taking sides with the crowd. In the third verse, the scripture tells us “and do not show favouritism to a poor person in a lawsuit”. This particular verse gave instructions that at any specific point, should a judge when delivering judgment was to show Mercy to an unfortunate individual. Thus the scripture in Exodus 23:1-3 illustrates laws regarding Justice, Mercy and conduct of Judges.
Nature of the legal agreement
The book of Exodus issues various commands that were to be followed by the children of Israel of the Law on Justice and Mercy as outlined in the book of Exodus 23:1-3. The Lord, full of grace and Mercy had delivered the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. He had at this point acted not only as their leader but also as their provider and protector in their time of need. In reference to what God had done to the Children of Israel, God says to Moses, that, the Israelites had seen what He had done to them, delivering them from the wings of an eagle and bringing them to safety. God then tells Moses, that the children of the Israelites should obey his voice and keep his covenant. These laws come with the provision that, on following God’s voice without betrayal, the children of Israel shall be a treasure to God and upon them, God will build a holy nation as well as a Kingdom of priests. Thus, the Law of God was to be obeyed without betrayal.
Purpose of the Law in Israel
The Law of Justice and Mercy was meant to guide the conduct of the judges selected by Moses following the advice of his Father In Law and also, to guide the behaviour of the Israelites when it came to contributing towards Justice. Specifically, in giving direction to Judges, the Law warns the judges against favouritism, especially when judging the poor who is guilty based on their vulnerability. To the children of Israel at large, who were also part of the justice system, the Law issues the instruction to them against giving of reports that are false to the judges and also to act in protection of the people who are guilty by being a malicious witness. Also, the Law issued guidelines to the children of Israel on maintaining partiality when it comes to giving of testimonies before the judges giving provision that, they should avoid siding with the crowd.
Application of the purpose of the Law in the contemporary context
Currently, the society has become a sue-happy-society where people derive pleasure from engaging in the legal process. Given the nature of the community, any time, a particular organization, as well as an individual, may at any time fall In the wrong hands of the Law. Also, in the contemporary society unlike in the Biblical times, some judges and lawyers are in their positions not from the virtue of calling, but from their education achievement. In addition, the judicial systems in many governments in the world have been compromised by vices such as corruption, racism, ethnicity, classism as well as negative political influence. Thus, Justice nowadays is a privilege for the few. However, all is not lost as putting into application the book of Exodus 23:1-3, enormous transformation can be realized.
To start with, to be fair, judges should avoid favouritism in their conduct, thus removing any hindrances of Justice to all. Besides, as Christians, loyal citizens and stakeholders in the justice system, we should be truthful in delivering witness in the court of law. Also, equipped with the wonderful knowledge from the scripture, we should make our stand in the justice system and avoid compromising of our opinions by the ideas of the many who sometimes may be wrong.
In conclusion, the book of Exodus 23:1-3 outlines God gave various commands to Moses during the physical meeting between God and all Children of Israelites where God appeared in the form of fire and smoke and with great strength that the Mountain shook. These commands are those of laws of Justice and Mercy, thus giving guidelines to the judges and children of Israel when it came to their conduct in the justice system. The legal agreement surrounding the laws was, the children of Israel should obey the voice of God who delivered them from Egypt to be termed the treasures of the Lord and to be a holy nation characterized by the Kingdom of priests. Even in our contemporary society, these laws can be put into application to enhance justice delivery in our court systems.