One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15)

Justice is so important in the Kingdom of God that, even if someone had committed a sin against another, if it could not be corroborated by at least two witnesses who agreed with one another, the person could not be condemned. Obviously God knows all and, therefore, no one will escape His judgment. Nevertheless, He is the One who determined that, in His Kingdom, no one can be condemned by the witness of one person.

Furthermore, Moses speaks to those who would consider bringing a false witness against someone else. What the Bible refers to as a “false witness” is literally translated as “a witness of violence,” thus indicating that the person is seeking to do someone harm. Moses warns those people that what they intended to do to the innocent party will come back on them. The world calls that Karma but the Bible refers to it as “measure for measure.”

Considering that this command is given within the context of moving your neighbor’s landmark — an action that seeks to steal property from another — the warning against bearing false witness against someone suggests the person is seeking to steal the other person’s reputation and “good name.”

In short, holiness goes well beyond outward trappings and those things we tend to emphasize. Holiness, righteousness and justice is to be upheld in every facet of our lives and especially in how we interact with our friends and neighbors. In the end, how we treat others will affect how they perceive the God we say we worship. It is our responsibility to sanctify the Name of the LORD — not desecrate it by bringing false accusations, whether deliberately or ignorantly. If the God who sees all expects that everything be established by two or more witnesses, then He expects us to go above and beyond to be honest, respectable and trustworthy people — and why not? We are His ambassadors.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

Become a Premium Partner

or make a one time gift below.