What other scriptures emphasize the dangers of corruption and bribery? Our anchor: Proverbs 17:23 “A wicked man takes a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.” Echoes in the Law • Exodus 23:8 – “Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.” • Deuteronomy 16:19 – “Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.” • Deuteronomy 27:25 – “Cursed is he who accepts a bribe to kill an innocent person.” Lessons from Israel’s history • 1 Samuel 8:3 – Samuel’s sons “turned aside toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.” • 2 Chronicles 19:7 – “There is no injustice with the LORD our God or partiality or bribery.” Wisdom’s steady drumbeat • Proverbs 15:27 – “He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.” • Proverbs 17:8 – “A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.” • Proverbs 28:21 – “To show partiality is not good—yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.” • Ecclesiastes 7:7 – “Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe destroys the heart.” Prophetic denunciations • Isaiah 1:23 – “Your rulers are rebels… they all love bribes and chase after gifts.” • Isaiah 5:23 – They “acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent.” • Micah 3:11 – “Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets divine for money.” • Micah 7:3 – “The ruler demands a gift, the judge accepts a bribe….” • Amos 5:12 – “You oppress the righteous, accept bribes, and deprive the poor of justice in the gates.” New Testament clarity • Mark 14:10-11 – Judas agrees to betray Jesus for money. • Acts 8:18-20 – Peter rebukes Simon: “May your silver perish with you.” • Acts 24:26 – Felix keeps Paul in custody, hoping for a bribe. • 1 Timothy 6:10 – “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” • Titus 1:7; 1 Peter 5:2 – Overseers must not be “greedy for money.” Threads that tie the passages together • Bribery blinds judgment (Exodus 23:8; Ecclesiastes 7:7). • It perverts justice and harms the vulnerable (Proverbs 17:23; Isaiah 5:23). • It springs from greed and idolatry (1 Timothy 6:10; Mark 14:10-11). • God’s consistent call: hate bribes, walk in integrity, trust Him for provision. Living it out today • Check motives whenever money or favors are offered. • Refuse gifts that could cloud judgment, however small (Proverbs 28:21). • Lead with transparent honesty, remembering “there is no injustice with the LORD” (2 Chronicles 19:7). • Defend the vulnerable, following the example of Christ, who could not be bought and who gave Himself freely for all. |
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