Important notice: Always check out what you hear and see for yourself, as it is up to you as a Christian to do your own studying. Never take anyone's word alone, including this website here, without first always checking it out for yourself. As 2 Timothy 2:15 says "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Exodus 23
1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
In other words, GOD is telling us not to join in with a crowd or group movement when you know that what that group stands for is just not true and not according to HIS WORD. Always be true and never bear false witness (lie).
2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Always stick with the truth and stand for the truth regardless of what others do and what the crowd supports or does. For it doesn't matter how many people swear to something that is untrue, you are not to speak on any matter at any time to try and change a judgment to something that is not true. "But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil (Matthew 5:34-37)".
3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
In other words, don't show sympathy for any unjust cause, regardless of who someone or something is; rather they be rich or poor, it doesn't matter. Again, you are to always stand up and support what's right (true).
4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
When it comes to your enemy, rather it be someone who lives next to you or just another person who you come across with in life, regardless on whether or not you like that person, always do the right thing and try to help that person out if you know something is going wrong for them. In this case, the example being brought forth is someone's animals getting away and hence they have lost it; the right thing to do as stated would be to return the animal. As a CHRISTian, always do the CHRIST-like thing whereby you might can resolve any hard feelings between you and someone else. As CHRIST said in Matthew 5:44-45 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust".
5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
Again, if you have the opportunity to help someone, rather they be your enemy or not, do it. Here the example being brought forth is a person who has overloaded their donkey.
6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
The subject of this verse goes back to verse three. If you're in a place such as court and you see somebody is in the wrong, don't allow that person's appearance or position in the community to distract you or cause you to veer off from standing behind what's right and making the right judgment. If they're in the wrong, they're in the wrong. If they're in the right, they're in the right. John 7:24 says "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment".
7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Our Heavenly FATHER does not tolerate wickedness of any type, which is why HE provided us HIS laws to live by, whereby we can keep evilness and corruption away from us. Here in this case, if you take away the right and fair judgment from someone, in GOD's eyes you have committed the same act that you are charging that individual of doing or in the opposite case, trying to get them out of. For example, if you know someone's innocent for a certain crime such as murder and you testify against them, whereby they can receive the death penalty, then you have committed the very act of murder yourself in GOD's eyes if it goes through. In the opposite case, if you know someone is guilty of murder and you try to take their side whereby they can get out of it, then you are just as guilty as they are in GOD's eyes, concerning their crime of murder, as you are trying to help them get free; clearly going against GOD's law, concerning capital punishment. Now regardless of what a case may pertain to, always stand up for what is right and do that which is right; that in which aligns with CHRIST. Don't take the side of the unrighteousness.
8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
In other words, even if someone tries to offer you something to try and get out of a particular situation in which they are wrong in, you aren't to accept it. 1 Timothy 6:7-11 tells us "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness". Those who obey GOD will receive HIS blessings. Again, always do what is fair and right. Mark 8:36 says "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?".
9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
In other words, you are to treat a stranger/foreigner the same as you would like them to treat you; treating them fair and right.
10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:
11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.
This concerns the agriculture laws. It lets us know that every seventh year, you should let your ground rest in which you plant in, whereby the following year the ground will be richer; for when you do things GOD's way, you can expect to receive HIS blessings. What's amazing about this is that scientists have now confirmed this today which just goes to show how far advanced our FATHER's WORD is.
12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
As GOD's creation, our bodies were not designed to work 24/7. There should be at least one day of the week in which we should take a break from our physical work. Although many believe this is to be done on Saturday or Sunday, it can be done on any day you choose to, for when CHRIST went to the cross, HE fulfilled and became our Passover and High Sabbath (rest), which means that our TRUE ultimate rest (Sabbath) today is in HIM, and we do that by worshiping HIM, obeying HIM, and getting into HIS love letter (the BIBLE) HE sent us, and that can be done on any day you choose to, and should really be done everyday. As CHRISTians, we worship CHRIST, for when CHRIST became our Passover, it is really one solid day unto the end of this flesh age. Remember also, one day of our days is a thousand years to HIM and one thousand years to HIM is one day to us (2 Peter 3:8). So again, our true rest can only be found in JESUS CHRIST alone and getting in to HIS WORD. If you're not in CHRIST, then you're not resting and can't have true peace of mind. See also: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Hebrews 4, Colossians 2.
13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect (i.e. kept): and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.
As CHRISTians, we aren't to be aligned and affiliated with the ways of the heathen, for we are called to be set apart and different from the rest of the world. Romans 12:2 says "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God". And sadly many holidays have crept in to our churches today and amongst our CHRISTian brothers and sisters, which derive from the pagan worship and celebration of other gods. Examples: Valentine's day (Lupercalia), Easter (Eostre), Lent, Halloween, Christmas (Saturnalia), New Years (honor of Janus), etc.
14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread (i.e. Passover): (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours (i.e. Pentecost [50 days after Passover today]), which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering (also known as the feast of tabernacle, see also: "The True Birth of JESUS CHRIST"), which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God.
18 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread (symbolic of sin); neither shall the fat of my sacrifice (= feast) remain until the morning.
See also: Leviticus 7:23, Leviticus 3:16.
19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe (= roast) a kid (i.e. goat) in his mother's milk.
In other words, don't cook a young animal in its mother's milk.
20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
And remember it was the very angel of the LORD, which is to say the presence of GOD HIMself who went before the Israelite's in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day.
21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him (Why? Because it is HIM).
22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
And so it is, it doesn't get any better than to have our HEAVENLY FATHER on your side and fighting for you.
23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
Why? Because they're enemies of GOD and HIS people.
24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images (And how foolish it is when people get mad over statues being removed today; GOD is going to destroy them all anyway at HIS return when HE cleanses the earth).
So again as we can see, we aren't to do as the heathen and follow in their ways and celebrations, or bow down and give recognition unto their images, for GOD even tells us in Deuteronomy 12:30-32 not to worship HIM in the same ways they worship their gods, nor to add to HIS commandments on how we are to honor HIM. "Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it (Deuteronomy 12:29-32)".
25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
If you want GOD's blessings and good health, then do things HIS way, and that also includes obeying HIS health laws. Examine your house, objects, and traditions you keep today. Are they truly of GOD in the ways HE instructed or are they of the world and its pagan, heathen, satanic practices? Remember also, whatever takes up the majority of your free time can also become your god, so be careful and again, always give our HEAVENLY FATHER your first fruits and do things HIS way, and you will be blessed in more ways than you can count.
26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
And so it is. GOD is letting us know that if we do things HIS way, we can expect to be in good health and to have healthy children born, along with long lives.
27 I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
28 And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
Our GOD is a jealous GOD and HE has every right to be after all HE has provided and done for us; to the point of even laying HIS own life down for us, in the image of the SON (JESUS CHRIST), which is why you aren't to follow in the ways of the heathen or worship HIM in the same way they worship and do for their gods.
In other words, GOD is telling us not to join in with a crowd or group movement when you know that what that group stands for is just not true and not according to HIS WORD. Always be true and never bear false witness (lie).
2 Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
Always stick with the truth and stand for the truth regardless of what others do and what the crowd supports or does. For it doesn't matter how many people swear to something that is untrue, you are not to speak on any matter at any time to try and change a judgment to something that is not true. "But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil (Matthew 5:34-37)".
3 Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.
In other words, don't show sympathy for any unjust cause, regardless of who someone or something is; rather they be rich or poor, it doesn't matter. Again, you are to always stand up and support what's right (true).
4 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again.
When it comes to your enemy, rather it be someone who lives next to you or just another person who you come across with in life, regardless on whether or not you like that person, always do the right thing and try to help that person out if you know something is going wrong for them. In this case, the example being brought forth is someone's animals getting away and hence they have lost it; the right thing to do as stated would be to return the animal. As a CHRISTian, always do the CHRIST-like thing whereby you might can resolve any hard feelings between you and someone else. As CHRIST said in Matthew 5:44-45 "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust".
5 If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him.
Again, if you have the opportunity to help someone, rather they be your enemy or not, do it. Here the example being brought forth is a person who has overloaded their donkey.
6 Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.
The subject of this verse goes back to verse three. If you're in a place such as court and you see somebody is in the wrong, don't allow that person's appearance or position in the community to distract you or cause you to veer off from standing behind what's right and making the right judgment. If they're in the wrong, they're in the wrong. If they're in the right, they're in the right. John 7:24 says "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment".
7 Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.
Our Heavenly FATHER does not tolerate wickedness of any type, which is why HE provided us HIS laws to live by, whereby we can keep evilness and corruption away from us. Here in this case, if you take away the right and fair judgment from someone, in GOD's eyes you have committed the same act that you are charging that individual of doing or in the opposite case, trying to get them out of. For example, if you know someone's innocent for a certain crime such as murder and you testify against them, whereby they can receive the death penalty, then you have committed the very act of murder yourself in GOD's eyes if it goes through. In the opposite case, if you know someone is guilty of murder and you try to take their side whereby they can get out of it, then you are just as guilty as they are in GOD's eyes, concerning their crime of murder, as you are trying to help them get free; clearly going against GOD's law, concerning capital punishment. Now regardless of what a case may pertain to, always stand up for what is right and do that which is right; that in which aligns with CHRIST. Don't take the side of the unrighteousness.
8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.
In other words, even if someone tries to offer you something to try and get out of a particular situation in which they are wrong in, you aren't to accept it. 1 Timothy 6:7-11 tells us "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness". Those who obey GOD will receive HIS blessings. Again, always do what is fair and right. Mark 8:36 says "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?".
9 Also thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
In other words, you are to treat a stranger/foreigner the same as you would like them to treat you; treating them fair and right.
10 And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:
11 But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.
This concerns the agriculture laws. It lets us know that every seventh year, you should let your ground rest in which you plant in, whereby the following year the ground will be richer; for when you do things GOD's way, you can expect to receive HIS blessings. What's amazing about this is that scientists have now confirmed this today which just goes to show how far advanced our FATHER's WORD is.
12 Six days thou shalt do thy work, and on the seventh day thou shalt rest: that thine ox and thine ass may rest, and the son of thy handmaid, and the stranger, may be refreshed.
As GOD's creation, our bodies were not designed to work 24/7. There should be at least one day of the week in which we should take a break from our physical work. Although many believe this is to be done on Saturday or Sunday, it can be done on any day you choose to, for when CHRIST went to the cross, HE fulfilled and became our Passover and High Sabbath (rest), which means that our TRUE ultimate rest (Sabbath) today is in HIM, and we do that by worshiping HIM, obeying HIM, and getting into HIS love letter (the BIBLE) HE sent us, and that can be done on any day you choose to, and should really be done everyday. As CHRISTians, we worship CHRIST, for when CHRIST became our Passover, it is really one solid day unto the end of this flesh age. Remember also, one day of our days is a thousand years to HIM and one thousand years to HIM is one day to us (2 Peter 3:8). So again, our true rest can only be found in JESUS CHRIST alone and getting in to HIS WORD. If you're not in CHRIST, then you're not resting and can't have true peace of mind. See also: 1 Corinthians 5:7-8, Hebrews 4, Colossians 2.
13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect (i.e. kept): and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.
As CHRISTians, we aren't to be aligned and affiliated with the ways of the heathen, for we are called to be set apart and different from the rest of the world. Romans 12:2 says "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God". And sadly many holidays have crept in to our churches today and amongst our CHRISTian brothers and sisters, which derive from the pagan worship and celebration of other gods. Examples: Valentine's day (Lupercalia), Easter (Eostre), Lent, Halloween, Christmas (Saturnalia), New Years (honor of Janus), etc.
14 Three times thou shalt keep a feast unto me in the year.
15 Thou shalt keep the feast of unleavened bread (i.e. Passover): (thou shalt eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded thee, in the time appointed of the month Abib; for in it thou camest out from Egypt: and none shall appear before me empty:)
16 And the feast of harvest, the firstfruits of thy labours (i.e. Pentecost [50 days after Passover today]), which thou hast sown in the field: and the feast of ingathering (also known as the feast of tabernacle, see also: "The True Birth of JESUS CHRIST"), which is in the end of the year, when thou hast gathered in thy labours out of the field.
17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the LORD God.
18 Thou shalt not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread (symbolic of sin); neither shall the fat of my sacrifice (= feast) remain until the morning.
See also: Leviticus 7:23, Leviticus 3:16.
19 The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the LORD thy God. Thou shalt not seethe (= roast) a kid (i.e. goat) in his mother's milk.
In other words, don't cook a young animal in its mother's milk.
20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared.
And remember it was the very angel of the LORD, which is to say the presence of GOD HIMself who went before the Israelite's in a pillar of fire by night and a cloud by day.
21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him (Why? Because it is HIM).
22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
And so it is, it doesn't get any better than to have our HEAVENLY FATHER on your side and fighting for you.
23 For mine Angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: and I will cut them off.
Why? Because they're enemies of GOD and HIS people.
24 Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images (And how foolish it is when people get mad over statues being removed today; GOD is going to destroy them all anyway at HIS return when HE cleanses the earth).
So again as we can see, we aren't to do as the heathen and follow in their ways and celebrations, or bow down and give recognition unto their images, for GOD even tells us in Deuteronomy 12:30-32 not to worship HIM in the same ways they worship their gods, nor to add to HIS commandments on how we are to honor HIM. "Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it (Deuteronomy 12:29-32)".
25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.
If you want GOD's blessings and good health, then do things HIS way, and that also includes obeying HIS health laws. Examine your house, objects, and traditions you keep today. Are they truly of GOD in the ways HE instructed or are they of the world and its pagan, heathen, satanic practices? Remember also, whatever takes up the majority of your free time can also become your god, so be careful and again, always give our HEAVENLY FATHER your first fruits and do things HIS way, and you will be blessed in more ways than you can count.
26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil.
And so it is. GOD is letting us know that if we do things HIS way, we can expect to be in good health and to have healthy children born, along with long lives.
27 I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.
28 And I will send hornets before thee, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite, from before thee.
29 I will not drive them out from before thee in one year; lest the land become desolate, and the beast of the field multiply against thee.
30 By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land.
31 And I will set thy bounds from the Red sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the desert unto the river: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand; and thou shalt drive them out before thee.
32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
33 They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
Our GOD is a jealous GOD and HE has every right to be after all HE has provided and done for us; to the point of even laying HIS own life down for us, in the image of the SON (JESUS CHRIST), which is why you aren't to follow in the ways of the heathen or worship HIM in the same way they worship and do for their gods.