Exodus 23:13, commentary and pictures

Exodus 23:13 belongs to the teachings, commandments, statutes, judgments, and regulations given to Moses on the mount in Exodus 19-24, part of the laws written in a book. The Teacher who gave these directions on Mount Sinai is Christ Jesus, who has spoken in human flesh. Its immediate setting includes regulations that reminded Israel of the Sabbath and appointed yearly feasts for gathering before the Lord with offerings of gratitude and firstfruits.

The verse commands careful obedience to all that God has said and forbids even speaking the names of other gods, making abstention from idolatry part of faithful obedience. As part of that written code, it guards against doing injustice and guides dealings with one another. The code expresses God's exalted requirements and care for His people, was given for Israel's good and not as arbitrary commands, and called the people to be holy and worthy of acknowledgment by a holy God.

These chapters are to be studied with the heart to obey, presented before the people, and carried out in practice before others after the example of holy men, because their instruction is needed now just as verily as by the children of Israel in the days of Moses. Obedience to the whole of the commandments is the condition for being made kings and priests unto God, a reward still offered now. God tests His people by His Word and communicates with them so they need not stumble along not knowing what they are about, and those who obey gain strength of character under every temptation and do not lose their hold upon God.

Israel professed compliance with uplifted voice and hands but broke loyalty while Moses was away by making the calf and calling it their gods, and three thousand who would not come to Moses' side and be loyal and true perished. This warns that the same insinuating temptations from devils will come in our day, so young and old must be Bible students led step by step to do righteously and work out truth in character.