“Temptation and Mercy” Exodus 23:1-9 07/10/2011 Dr. Dane Boyles

“Temptation and Mercy” Justice and Truthful Witnesses (Exodus 23:1-3). 1 “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness.

Exodus 23:2 2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd,

“Temptation and Mercy” 3 and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. (Exodus 23:3) 16 You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (20:16).

“Temptation and Mercy” 8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts (Prov. 18:8).

“Temptation and Mercy” Temptation #2 (23:1b). 1 Do not help a wicked man by being a malicious witness. (Exodus 23:1b)

Proverbs 6:16-17 16 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

Proverbs 6:18-19 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

“Temptation and Mercy” 2 “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, (23:2)

Job 23:9 9 “Men cry out under a load of oppression; they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful (rabbim).

“Temptation and Mercy” 3 and do not show favoritism to a poor man in his lawsuit. (Exodus 23:3)

Leviticus 19:15 15 “‘Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.

1 Timothy 5:19-20 19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

1 Timothy 5:21 21 I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

“Temptation and Mercy” Unbiased Judges (Exodus 23:6-9). 6 “Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

Exodus 23:7 7 Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

Exodus 23:8-9 8 “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous. 9 “Do not oppress an alien; you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens, because you were aliens in Egypt.

“Temptation and Mercy” Temptation #1: Prejudice (23:6). Temptation #2: Influenced by Slurs (23:7) Temptation #3: Bribery (23:8). Temptation #4: Short of Compassion (23:9).

“Temptation and Mercy” Empathy for Enemies (Exodus 23:4-5). Restoration (23:4). 4 “If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to take it back to him.

“Temptation and Mercy” Lifting My Enemy’s “Burden” (23:5) 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help him with it.

“Temptation and Mercy” Exodus 23:1-9 07/10/2011 Dr. Dane Boyles