THE 'BEASTLY' BRIBES

(The gift that blinds the eyes)

Among the many guidelines given by the Lord to the Israelites --- forbidding bribes was one of them. They have plagued the saintly ever since. It is prominent today; to the point of being epidemic.

Israel was to have judges and officers, Deuteronomy 16:18. They were to be just in their judgments. ". . . neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous." Deuteronomy 16:19. The horrible practices come in many forms; but it is always the same in the eyes of the Lord.

Samuel, the princely prophet of Israel, challenged men to charge him:". . . of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith?" They had to answer:". . . neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand." I Samuel 12:3-4. Some 300 years later, Amos said ". . . they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate . . .", 5:12.

What elected one in Washington would offer such a challenge? Neither will equality prevail until "soft money" is done away with; and lobbyists are forbidden from the premises of government, from county to Washington.

David spoke of "sinners" and "bloody men", saying ". . . their right hand is full of bribes", Psalms 26:9-10.

Isaiah speaks of the righteous and upright saying: ". . . that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, . . ." 33:15. Have you ever had someone go to shake hands with you and have a folded bill in it; and you knew it was to buy you off, or cause you to keep still? That would be bribery.

Hear brother Paul, the apostle: ". . . let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: . . .", Romans 13:12-13. DDH