And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
Thou shalt take no gift belongs to the teachings and code of judgments given to Moses and Israel on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19-24. It was given by Christ Himself as Teacher, speaking in human flesh. That code holds the truth and light and grace of God in His commandments from Sinai. It guards the interests of His people and shows the exalted nature and impartiality of His requirements.
The statute is to be strictly obeyed from the heart. It is to be studied and presented before the people now just as verily as to Israel in the days of Moses, down to jots and tittles as appropriate for the occasion. Moses was to gather it up and carry it out before the people in practice as an example of obedience for all.
Obedience and keeping these commandments are the condition for being as kings and priests unto God. They are the condition for God to communicate with His people and they with Him, for knowing the way without stumbling, and for strength of character under every temptation, because God tests by His Word. Israel lifted voice and hands to heaven agreeing to comply with God's conditions and be obedient, yet when Moses was away temptation came and they turned to idolatry.
The command forbids rulers and judges to take gifts or bribes. A gift blinds even the wise and perverts the words and decisions of those who should judge righteously. It corrupts judgment and turns them from justice.
The command guards against doing injustice and guides dealings with one another. All contention is to cease, and there is to be love as brethren with softened and subdued hearts. Righteous judgment deals justly with widows and the fatherless, protects strangers, relieves the oppressed, and neither clears the guilty nor punishes the innocent.
The principle applies to public government and courts today. Society needs officials of moral integrity who act unselfishly for the good of others.
Thou shalt take no gift belongs to the teachings and code of judgments given to Moses and Israel on Mount Sinai in Exodus 19-24. It was given by Christ Himself as Teacher, speaking in human flesh. That code holds the truth and light and grace of God in His commandments from Sinai. It guards the interests of His people and shows the exalted nature and impartiality of His requirements.
The statute is to be strictly obeyed from the heart. It is to be studied and presented before the people now just as verily as to Israel in the days of Moses, down to jots and tittles as appropriate for the occasion. Moses was to gather it up and carry it out before the people in practice as an example of obedience for all.
Obedience and keeping these commandments are the condition for being as kings and priests unto God. They are the condition for God to communicate with His people and they with Him, for knowing the way without stumbling, and for strength of character under every temptation, because God tests by His Word. Israel lifted voice and hands to heaven agreeing to comply with God's conditions and be obedient, yet when Moses was away temptation came and they turned to idolatry.
The command forbids rulers and judges to take gifts or bribes. A gift blinds even the wise and perverts the words and decisions of those who should judge righteously. It corrupts judgment and turns them from justice.
The command guards against doing injustice and guides dealings with one another. All contention is to cease, and there is to be love as brethren with softened and subdued hearts. Righteous judgment deals justly with widows and the fatherless, protects strangers, relieves the oppressed, and neither clears the guilty nor punishes the innocent.
The principle applies to public government and courts today. Society needs officials of moral integrity who act unselfishly for the good of others.