10 Commandments: Ninth Amendments

<p>For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ <a href="https://www.douglasjacoby.com/dec9/" target="_blank"><strong>website.</strong></a></p><p><strong>So far:</strong></p><ul><li>We have dissected 4 God-directed commandments and 4 others-directed commandments.</li><li>Today we look at the fourth of a series of 4 short commandments, bedrock principles in all stable societies.<ul><li>Of course we're not trying to recreate human culture at the level of a lowest common denominator.</li><li>God's people are called to go far beyond the minimum: we are to be holy (Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6).</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Text</strong></p><ul><li>The 9th commandment</li><li>Exodus 20:16: <i>You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.</i></li></ul><p><strong>Comments</strong></p><ul><li>Forensic setting (Exodus 23:1-3; see also the bogus suit against Naboth in 1 Kings 21).</li><li>This is not a mere demand for technical truthfulness<ul><li>The Lord calls us to live with character (Psalm 15:1-3).</li><li>He calls us to mirror his own holiness (Leviticus 11:44, 19:1).</li></ul></li></ul><p><strong>Extension of the principle</strong></p><ul><li>Original context<ul><li>Going along with the jury (Exodus 23), whether on account of peer pressure, apathy, revenge, or prejudice</li><li>We can only be certain our broader applications of biblical principles are fair when we have established the meaning of the passage through studying its original context.</li></ul></li><li>Other ways we hurt others through our words<ul><li>Generating, spreading, or in any way further rumors</li><li>Much popular-level political discourse is deeply flawed and prejudiced. Do we take part in bearing such "witness" against our fellow man?</li><li>Gossip -- even if it's not incorrect or slanderous, this may harm our neighbor (Romans 13:9-11).</li><li>Misrepresentation</li><li>Failing to checking sources</li></ul></li><li>Broadening the principle even further:<ul><li>Lying</li><li>Transparency in business ethics</li><li>Shading