23:1
The ten commandments have set out the fundamental laws, the basis on which everything else depends and is built upon. The laws here expand upon and give concrete application of the principles. These are both helpful in their own right, and also in helping us to understand the principles. The first one is concerned with bearing false witness, or lying. This applies in both the general sense, i.e. not spreading false reports, and in the judicial situation, i.e. not giving false evidence in a court trial.
23:2
“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.” There is a great temptation to go with the flow, and it can be difficult to go against the tide of society. Just because the majority of people are doing something, or living a certain way, or even approving of something, does not mean that it is right. The pressure of the crowd can also lead us to tell lies. We need to resist this, the Lord and His word must be the standard by which we judge things.
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