📖 A Thought from My Personal Meditation
Exodus 23
⚖️ The Unchanging Character of God
As I was meditating on Exodus 23, two things especially touched my heart.
The first is how God asks His people to treat their enemies.
“If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.”
Exodus 23:4–5
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches us:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:44
Some people think that God’s character in the Old Testament is different from His character in the New Testament. But passages like these clearly show us that God’s character has never changed.
Even in the Old Testament, God taught His people to show kindness and compassion to their enemies. When an enemy is in trouble, God’s people are not called to ignore him, but to help him.
The second thing that stood out to me is God’s concern for the weak and vulnerable.
God repeatedly reminds His people not to oppress foreigners, widows, orphans, the poor, and those who have little influence or protection in society. They often had no one to defend their rights or speak on their behalf. Yet they were precious in God’s sight.
Even the command concerning the Sabbath year reveals God’s heart. The land was to rest so that the poor and needy could benefit from what grew naturally.
Likewise, the Sabbath day was given for the well-being of people. God desired that servants, workers, foreigners, and even animals should have rest.
Over time, however, the Sabbath became a religious burden rather than a blessing. Jesus often reminded people of its true purpose. The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.
As I reflected on these verses, one truth encouraged my heart:
Our God is unchanging. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, His character remains the same—full of justice, mercy, and love.
If we are followers of Christ, that same character should be visible in our lives.
May we have hearts that show kindness even to our enemies.
May we care for widows, orphans, the poor, foreigners, and those who are neglected or marginalized in society.
May we never exploit those who work under us, but treat them with dignity, fairness, and compassion.
May the character of God be revealed through our lives.
🙏 May the good Lord bless you with these words.
🌿 Have a blessed day!
— Hineni