3398.-Do Not Resist Law

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Mar 28, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 13.

3398.—Do Not Resist Law

What did our Saviour mean in Matt. 5:40-42?

It means that we should not resist or rebel against petty, cruel, and often illegal exactions demanded by officers of the law. According to the law of Moses the creditor could not keep the debtor's garment over night. Ex. 22:26. Tho sometimes the law be more exacting than this, it should not be resisted. Sometimes government officers compelled citizens to carry mail and do unjust service; do not resist. As Boothroyd remarks, "Our Lord recommends patience under trying injuries, rather than resistance; and a disposition to sustain the loss of what is small value, than to go to law." If we could know the things which the Jews had often to meet at the hands of the Romans, and often from Jews who were acting for the Romans, these injunctions would be clearer. The prayer of Zacchæus shows that it was not uncommon for tax-gatherers to be extortionate and unjust. Luke 19:8. Verse 42 teaches that we should be generous to those in want, and kind to those in need. But in the light of Matt. 7:6, 15, 16, and 2 John 10 it does not mean indiscriminate giving. However, we should not let fear of unwise charity steel our hearts against the poor and needy. Better to give ten times to the undeserving than to fail once to the deserving.