Exodus 23:1-9, FAIRNESS vs. partiality

1)    Definition: looking at a decision from the viewpoint of each person involved.

2)    Scripture: Prov. 2:9; 18:13,17; 20:8,10; 21:3; 22:2; 24:23; 27:18; 28:5,21; 29:4,14; 31:8-9; Jas. 2:1-9.

3)    Underlying Principle: God is impartial (Deut. 10:17; 2 Chron. 19:7; Rom. 2:11; Eph. 6:9; Col. 3:25) and He has created all men (Job. 34:19).

4)    Illustration: 1 Sam. 30 (esp. vs. 21-25).  David established a rule in the military that those who guarded the supplies got an equal share of the spoil with those who were engaged in the battle.

5)    Bible Study:

a)    Let’s consider God’s “impartiality.”  Our mighty and awesome God shows no partiality nor takes a bribe (Dt. 10:17; 2 Chron. 19:7).  Sometimes we may be partial to friends who pay the tab when we go out to eat.  Rom. 2:11 declares God’s impartiality in the context of judgment.  He will get it right with every person ever created, for all will stand before Him.  Eph. 6:9 and Col. 3:25 apply God’s impartiality to masters in the way they treat slaves (the boss the way he treats his employees).  When Moses appointed judges he commanded them: You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid in any man’s presence, for the judgment is God’s; this was applied to Israelites as well as to foreigners (Dt. 1:16-17).  And, in judgment, don’t favor the poor man just because he’s poor and maybe you feel sorry for him (Ex. 23:3).  This is all worthy of consideration in our current world system!

b)    Fairness requires that we work hard to get all the facts in the situation (Prov. 18:13), getting both (or more) sides of the story (18:17).  One of those sins that is an abomination to the LORD is having “diverse weights and diverse measures” (Prov. 20:10).  That works both at the meat counter and in relationships.

c)    James 2:1-13 applies fairness to the Body of Christ.  It seems that in James’ situation what he saw was partiality to people with money, giving them better seats when the church met for worship.  In doing this Christians were becoming judges with evil thoughts (v4).  If you show partiality, you commit sin (v9).  In other words, fairness is a serious matter.

d)    Our relationship with God in prayer and through His word will help us as we walk in the Spirit.  Evil men do not understand justice.  But those who seek the LORD understand all (Prov. 28:5).

I encourage you to memorize Luke 6:31, sometimes called the “Golden Rule.”