“Thou Shalt Take No Gift”
By Emma Hildreth Adams
IN a chapter of Exodus, which the members of the Bible Band recently have read, occurs the above decisive utterance, together with the startling prohibition it contains. The brief statute, with the important ground for its proclamation, is thus expressed: “Thou shalt take NO GIFT, for THE GIFT BLINDETH the eyes [“seeing,” margin] of the wise, and perverteth the words [“matters,” margin] of the righteous.” This is an imperative command, lustrous amid a long category of divine directions and injunctions, made by Him whose appearance on Mount Sinai on the day it was spoken, “was like devouring fire to the children of Israel.” The impressive statute forms but a single brief member of a comprehensive code delivered to Moses for the regulation of the individual and the associate life of the Israelites less than three months after their memorable release from bondage in Egypt. This code, remarkable for the spirit of justice breathing therein, was spoken to Moses 3,400 years ago. Nevertheless, to men the world around, it rings out to-day its clear, sharp, intrusive prohibitions, with emphasis never so needed, with danger of their transgression never so great, with trespass of their meaning never so frequent, so significant, so appalling. One need hardly take time to say that this commandment, expressed in but twenty-three words, yet, reaching in its negation the entire earth, and down to the end of time, had no reference to the giving and taking of gifts, presents, between friends and loved ones, an act which often gladdens and elevates as much the life of the giver, as it comforts and cheers the heart of the recipient. Neither was it intended to prohibit the poor and needy from accepting welcome bounty: nor, indeed, the bestowing of favors upon the evil and unworthy, whose hearts might never respond with glow of gratitude, whose lips might never open with expressions of thanksgiving. In this latter class of giving, God Himself has set the example for all mankind. He gave Christ, His superlative gift, even to men distinctly ungrateful, to men who scorn the unrepeatable donation, tho it mean LIFE to them, escape for them from stinging remorse, release for them from blighting servitude to sin. What, then, was the aim of this brief, practical, restraining law? Listen to the thrilling words of Samuel, first book, chapter twelve, verses two and three. After he “had become old and gray-headed; after he had walked before the children of Israel in innocence and uprightness from childhood,” he has this to say: “Behold here am I. Witness against me before the Lord. Whom have I defrauded? Or from whose hand have I received any bribe to blind my eyes therewith? And I will restore it to you.” Notice Israel’s answer: “Thou hast not defrauded us. Neither hast thou taken aught from any man’s hand.” What testimony for a life-work! What certificate of true greatness! Now hear the historian in 1 Sam. 8: 3: “His sons walked not in his [Samuel’s] ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took BRIBES and perverted judgment.” Now turn back to Deut. 16: 19 and read an amplification of the short statute we have quoted: “Thou shalt not wrest [twist, pull up] judgment; thou shalt not RESPECT PERSONS, neither take A GIFT; for a GIFT doth BLIND THE EYES of the wise, and PERVERT the matters of the righteous.” Then the gift which God, on Mount Sinai, forbade that host of newly escaped slaves to receive, was a BRIBE. In His estimation, then, the taking of bribes corrupts the “words,” the “judgment,” the conduct of men, and in many instances cuts short their lives. In ecclesiastical affairs a PERVERT is an apostate, one who has forsaken his religion or his party. In civil and moral matters he is a person who has turned from a course just and upright, to deeds illegal, tricky, fraudulent, rotten. With that class of men David prayed that he might not be gathered. Why?— Because “their right hand is full of bribes.” Ps. 26: 10. And Solomon, illustrious for sagacity and broad learning, wrote: “A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the way of judgment.” Again, “He that receiveth gifts [bribes] overthroweth the land!” Truly, if the men in almost every community of this land and of other lands as well who to-day, without quiver of conscience, are accepting bribes, receiving illegal rewards, in the form of money, of official positions, of munificent tips, of costly courtesies, from associations, corporations, and wealthy individuals in return for their votes, their influence with the public, their power as interpreters of the laws, would but acquaint themselves with the ringing, positive authoritative declarations of the great Lawgiver of the universe on these vital points in civil matters, there would be fewer moral paralytics in town councils, on boards of trustees, in state legislatures, and in the houses of Congress.