January 16, 2022: The Laws of Justice and Mercy, Standard Sunday School Lesson
I. DEMONSTRATING IMPARTIALITY IN LEGAL CASES (Exodus 23:1-3)
1. Lying is sinful and should be avoided, especially in court (Exodus 23:1).
Following the crowd to take advantage of the poor is a very bad idea (Exodus 23:2-3). 2 “You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. 3 And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.
II. DEMONSTRATING COMPASSION IN EVERYDAY CONDUCT (Exodus 23:4-5)
Whenever we have the opportunity to help others, even those we consider enemies, we should do it (Exodus 23:4-5)

III. DEMONSTRATING INTEGRITY IN HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS (Exodus 23:6-9)
In a court of law, the poor should be treated fairly like anyone else, for God will not find the wicked guiltless (Exodus 23:6-7
Taking bribes can lead to only more trouble (Exodus 23:8)
We should treat everyone as we want to be treated, even those who are different from us
IV. DEMONSTRATING JUSTICE IN ECONOMIC MATTERS
(Exodus 23:10-12)
When God gives a command, He expects it to be obeyed, regardless of what we may think about it
God’s instructions are clear: as His people we are expected to practice truth, justice and mercy. In order to practice justice, not only must we avoid doing wrong, we must also show compassion to those who really need it. This lesson, taken from Israel’s law, teaches us some wonderful principles for righteous or just living: impartiality in court proceedings, compassion in our daily conduct, and integrity in all human relationships. Since these principles are part of the very nature of God, they are repeated for us in the New Testament in some form or another, but they mean the same thing. If we want to please God, we must practice these principles of justice and fairness in our lives.
A Call for Justice
23 “You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.
2 “You must not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. 3 And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.
4 “If you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey that has strayed away, take it back to its owner. 5 If you see that the donkey of someone who hates you has collapsed under its load, do not walk by. Instead, stop and help.
Ronald Jasmin Assistant Pastor of Corona Baptist Church in Mt Juliet, TN and Cornelius Hill Pastor of Ephesian Primitive Baptist Church Nashville, TN Christian Business Connection
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