October 7, 2025 Morning Devotional
Morning Devotion: Read Exodus - Laws of Social Justice
Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: 3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause. 4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. 5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. 6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. 7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. 8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. 9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Laws of social justice have been around since the time of Moses. These laws were given by a divine God who is omniscient and sovereign in all His ways.
These laws were given so that man could live right with God and man. These are in addition to the ten commandments.
As we look at verses one and two we find that false witnesses are called out. In other words, false witnesses are exposed for unrighteousness. They're just plain lying.
Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. 2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
All throughout history men have given false witness towards others for a myriad amount of reasons.
This being one of thew ten commandments is often violated. Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Just think about this for a moment. In the Old Testament, if one lied about another person to gain advantage, that person would receive what he sought to do to the innocent.
Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. 16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17 Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19 Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
Imagine if everyone received the same wickedness that they were trying to accomplish by lying about someone else.
There were false witnesses with Jesus.
Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
These witnesses collaborated against Jesus who was then crucified, died and descended into the lower parts of the earth and three days later rose from the dead.
Those men who lied, who bore false witness, received the same penalty that they tried to force upon Jesus.
The only way they would ever escape that sentence of death was to turn from their sin and trust Christ Jesus their saviour. That may have happened as you read Acts chapter two you will find that three thousand people (many of who crucified Jesus) trusted Jesus and were saved. (Read Acts chapter two)
What about you, are you a false witness about others? Do you talk behind their backs spreading lies? Jesus can change your heart and save you from the penalty of sin.
The choice is still yours,
Pastor Cook
