Read: Exodus 22-24
Focus Verse: “Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness. Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not prevent justice by siding with the crowd, and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.” (Exodus 23:1-3).
Devotion: A lot of this section consists of specific laws that establish Israel as a nation. Some seem obvious, others not. Some seem extra generous, some harsh. Overall—and not intended as a summary point of the entire law—I feel the heart of these laws and instructions is partially summed up in Exodus 23:2a: “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.” I feel like that’s one of God’s points with those laws, to say God’s people will live as a different kind of people. Rather than following the rest of the world in doing wrong, God’s people are called to go above and beyond to be respectful, generous, and loving to all people. We are not to be pulled in the many directions of this world, but are called to be walking in the steps of the direction of Christ. We do that by having a relationship with Christ so that we know Christ. That’s what we’re called to.
Pray: LORD help me to love with your kindness, with the radical love of God’s people, not following the crowd in evil. Help me be on the heels of Christ all the days of my life. Amen!
Additional Scripture: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)