No entry exists in Forerunner Commentary for Exodus 23:5.
Exodus 23:4-5
This law is primarily intended to show us that personal enmity and grudges should not stand in the way of helping a person who is in a measure of trouble, but it also shows an act of mercy for the working animal as well. If it has been overloaded so that it has fallen under its burden, you do a service to the animal by making sure it gets back on its feet once again, and maybe lightening its burden or shifting the load around so it is not so likely to fall again.
Exodus 23:4-5
We just talked about equality of judgment, or equity, between social strata. Now we are talking about equity for your enemy. It does not matter if the guy that has come up before you in judgment is the one that cheated you last summer over whatever, or he moved your boundary, or he did something; if he is your enemy, he still gets true justice. So his status, as your enemy, should not be a determining factor in how you rule.
Exodus 23:4-5
He tells them, these unconverted Israelites, that they are actually supposed to help their enemies when they see that they are in trouble.
| << Exodus 23:4 | Exodus 23:6 >> |
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