1) Take no Gift, Exodus 23:8
There may be pleasure in being given a gift, but there is wisdom in undertsanding why some gifts should be refused.
And you shall take no gift: for the gift blinds the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous. (Exodus 23:8)
This quotation is so apt today. We see the leaders of nations corrupted by money bestowed on them for the welfare of the people, but used instead for the wealth of a few, while the people still remain in poverty. The politicians and political parties of the nations can through donations of companies, individuals or organisations, achieve benefits for the donors' own interests and thus there is corruption in the government of that nation.
On a lower level the world presents more and more opportunities for the giving of gifts. There are birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas, Valentine's day, Easter and any other excuse to give gifts. The Old Testament has a number of references on the issue of the corruption that can be caused in the bestowing of gifts and the results of persuasion on a person.
The quotation in Exodus explains that people can be persuaded and changed by others through money and gifts to do things that they might not otherwise do and thereby be corrupted. The wise might be blinded and become unwise in their actions, belief, emotions or speech.
Deuteronomy warns about the effect of taking a gift on a person's judgement.
Thou shall not wrest judgement; thou shall not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.(Deuteronomy 16:19)
Within the household, Proverbs warns that the taking of gifts can affect the situation in the house and bring “troubles” and dissension to that house.
He that is greedy of gain troubles his own house; but he that hates gifts shall live. (Proverbs 15:27)
Again in Proverbs there is warning that rulers can be corrupted by gifts and seek their own benefits rather than the welfare of their people.
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that gives gifts.(Proverbs 19:6)
The king by judgement establishes the land: but he that receives gifts overthrows it.(Proverbs 29:4)
Isaiah rebuked the leaders if Israel for receiving gifts for their own benefit and neglecting the welfare and needs of the people.
Thy princes are rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loves gifts, and follows after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them (Isaiah 1:23)
For the same reason Ezekiel condemns Jerusalem and her association with idolatrous nations.
They give gifts to all whores: but thou givest thy gifts to all thy lovers, and hires them, that they may come unto thee on every side for thy whoredom. (Ezekiel 16:33)
In a world where gift giving has become a dominant part of life, it would be wise to take heed to the divine message that we have been given that gifts can blind us and lead us where we should not go.
For more The hope laid up in Heaven and The economy of money, or of God?
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
In the light of the findings of science, how literally do we take what the scriptures say about the power of the God of the Bible, Yahweh Elohim (literally He who will become Mighty Ones)? Science at its best is a measurement of observable and repeatable phenomenon wrapped up in explanations which abound in analogy. There is no doubt in the benefit of investigating phenomena of the natural world. The surprising thing is that the more we investigate natural phenomena, the more it fits the explanations recorded over 2000 years ago.
The God of Israel is approachable and reasonable. He often speaks directly to his people. The following will seek to understand a passage where he speaks via the prophet Amos which has a few variant translations.
