Deuteronomy 19:20 NLT “Then the rest of the people will hear about it and be afraid to do such an evil thing.”
Look at the context for this verse…in verse 16 a malicious witness accuses someone of a crime. They are instructed in verse 17 and 18 to go before the LORD by coming to the priests and judges and the judges must investigate the case thoroughly. Then in verse 19 they must impose on the accuser what was intended for the other person.
This is exactly what happened in the story of Mordecai and Haman in the book of Esther. Haman planned terrible things for Mordecai and they happened to him.
Look at the implications of these verses for the priests and judges during Jesus’ time. They were the ones who were malicious witnesses. They were the ones who should have known to come before Me through themselves to investigate the case thoroughly. They were shamed by being replaced in this scenario by Pontius Pilate who clearly stated that Jesus was not guilty.
The priests sinned greatly in that day by not only bringing malicious charges against Jesus but then by completely abdicating their role as priests before Me who needed to investigate thoroughly. They believed they investigated thoroughly, but they did it with such bias that they could not see the truth. Therefore, the penalty put upon Jesus was the penalty that was due to them as you see in these verses.
This is why Jesus asked for their forgiveness before He died. If He had not done this then they would have experienced the fullness of the punishment He endured.
When you investigate something, do not approach it as “this is the answer that must be true and I am going to prove it”. Instead, investigate from a place of true investigation.
If you disagree with something in the church or in the Bible or that you believe I am asking of you, do not approach it as trying to prove your point. Instead, investigate it thoroughly and find the truth.
John 8:31-31 ESV “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
In this verse abiding in My word means exploring what is true by really seeking it out and asking Me to show you the answer.
Be very careful when you allow society or a time in history to decide what you believe to be true. Some of the most egregious errors are made because people want to fit My word into society today…out of love.
It is not loving to change the rules that I have set out for human beings to live by in order to satisfy what someone believes they want or need. It is not loving at all. Do not judge them, love them, but stick to My word and to what I have set out as what is best. It will lead you to everlasting life.
I believe this is a message to us from God, written from His perspective – Sherri
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