Introduction
Exodus 23:1–13: After receiving the Ten Commandments from God, Moses continues to deliver God’s moral and religious laws to the people (Exodus 20—22). In today’s reading, Moses speaks LORD’s words about treating people fairly and observing sabbath rest in planting and harvesting.
Today’s Key Verse: Exodus 23:13a GNT
“Listen to everything that I, the LORD, have said to you.”
Read
23 “Do not spread false rumors, and do not help a guilty person by giving false testimony. 2 Do not follow the majority when they do wrong or when they give testimony that perverts justice. 3 Do not show partiality to a poor person at his trial.
4 “If you happen to see your enemy’s cow or donkey running loose, take it back to him. 5 If his donkey has fallen under its load, help him get the donkey to its feet again; don’t just walk off.
6 “Do not deny justice to a poor person when he appears in court. 7 Do not make false accusations, and do not put an innocent person to death, for I will condemn anyone who does such an evil thing. 8 Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe makes people blind to what is right and ruins the cause of those who are innocent.
9 “Do not mistreat a foreigner; you know how it feels to be a foreigner, because you were foreigners in Egypt.
10 “For six years plant your land and gather in what it produces. 11 But in the seventh year let it rest, and do not harvest anything that grows on it. The poor may eat what grows there, and the wild animals can have what is left. Do the same with your vineyards and your olive trees.
12 “Work six days a week, but do no work on the seventh day, so that your slaves and the foreigners who work for you and even your animals can rest.
13 “Listen to everything that I, the Lord, have said to you. Do not pray to other gods; do not even mention their names.
Reflect
What do verses 1–9 say about how to behave and how to treat others? Why are the people responsible even to foreigners (verse 9)? According to verse 12, what is the significance of doing “no work on the seventh day”?
Pray
God of justice, teach me your ways and guide me to do your will. May my actions show fairness to others and reflect your ever-present love. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Leviticus 19:1–18: Laws of holiness and justice are outlined.
