Deuteronomy 19:15-2115One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. 16If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; 17Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; 18And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; 19Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you. 20And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you. 21And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. (Deuteronomy 19:15‑21)
IN THESE next few verses God is guarding against a false witness or one who would bring an evil report.
If any one was accused of doing wrong, one witness was not sufficient to prove it. "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, . . . at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established."
The witness might be faithful and trustworthy, but his testimony was not sufficient to settle the case. There must be at least two or three. And this holds true in the Church today. Timothy was told to "receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses," (1 Tim. 5:1919Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. (1 Timothy 5:19)). We are never wiser than Scripture, and if we are subject to the Word we will prove the wisdom of God in all these guide lines which He has laid down for us.
Furthermore they were to be careful that the witness was not false in his statements. They were to make careful inquiry and be sure that the man was really guilty before he was punished. His life was guarded here by the law of retribution of false witness; that is, if the witness was proved to be false, then the punishment that would have fallen on the accused fell upon him who gave the false testimony. God is just and He taught His people these things that they might be just in all their dealings with men and with one another.
How solemn to think that failure here became one of the great sins of God's earthly people and which brought down upon them His just judgment. In the face of the testimony of their own Scriptures which they had and knew, they took the Son of God, in His humiliation to prison, gave Him a trial which was but a mockery, and sentenced Him to death. Though He had come in love and went about doing good, they hated Him without a cause (John 15:2525But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause. (John 15:25)). When they could not find anything against Him they sought false witnesses, and even when the false witnesses could not agree among themselves and Pilate could find no cause of death in Him, yet they condemned Him to die.
But the law of retribution judged these false accusers. The fearful judgment of God fell upon that guilty nation, except for a remnant which repented and, sheltered under the blood, found a refuge in the Church.
In the last verse we see plainly the difference between law and grace. Under the law it was "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," but grace teaches us to love our enemies. As Christians we are not to "pay back" in the same kind as we received, but to show the kindness of God to those who would wrong or harm us. "Recompense to no man evil for evil . . . Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. . . . Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Rom. 12:17-2117Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17‑21).
Memory Verse
Messages of the Love of God 7/13/1975