If thou meet thine enemy’s ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
This instruction belongs to the statutes and judgments given to Moses on the mount in Exodus 19-24, written in a book to be obeyed. It is part of the truth and light and grace given from Sinai. It was given by Christ Jesus Himself, the same Teacher who gave the directions on Mount Sinai and has spoken in human flesh.
Kindness and duty are to extend even to a personal enemy, so that one who meets or finds his enemy's ox or ass going astray must surely bring it back to him again. This is God's merciful law, showing His care for His people and the high standard of His requirements. It was written to guard against doing injustice and to guide in dealing one with another, that contention should cease and all should love as brethren with softened and subdued hearts. Since its mercy reaches even to dumb animals that cannot speak of their distress, a human being in need deserves still greater pity and help. It therefore condemns the priest and Levite who knew this lesson but did not put it into practice when they passed by a wounded man.
Moses set the example of carrying out these principles before the people. This instruction is needed now just as verily as the children of Israel needed it in the days of Moses. It is to be gathered up, studied, and presented before the people, and carried out in practice and character with a heart to obey the whole of the commandments. Its statutes and judgments are to be strictly obeyed. Keeping these commandments is the condition for being kings and priests unto God and for God communicating with His people so they need not stumble in darkness, a reward offered to Israel and still offered now.
This instruction belongs to the statutes and judgments given to Moses on the mount in Exodus 19-24, written in a book to be obeyed. It is part of the truth and light and grace given from Sinai. It was given by Christ Jesus Himself, the same Teacher who gave the directions on Mount Sinai and has spoken in human flesh.
Kindness and duty are to extend even to a personal enemy, so that one who meets or finds his enemy's ox or ass going astray must surely bring it back to him again. This is God's merciful law, showing His care for His people and the high standard of His requirements. It was written to guard against doing injustice and to guide in dealing one with another, that contention should cease and all should love as brethren with softened and subdued hearts. Since its mercy reaches even to dumb animals that cannot speak of their distress, a human being in need deserves still greater pity and help. It therefore condemns the priest and Levite who knew this lesson but did not put it into practice when they passed by a wounded man.
Moses set the example of carrying out these principles before the people. This instruction is needed now just as verily as the children of Israel needed it in the days of Moses. It is to be gathered up, studied, and presented before the people, and carried out in practice and character with a heart to obey the whole of the commandments. Its statutes and judgments are to be strictly obeyed. Keeping these commandments is the condition for being kings and priests unto God and for God communicating with His people so they need not stumble in darkness, a reward offered to Israel and still offered now.