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Revelation 21:17--11c |
Revelation 21, Page 22e-11c | ||
Significant Words and Comments: Commentary on Revelation 21:17 expansion (16 August 2008): Commandment or Structure #11: “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” Detail #11:7: Every form of slander is a false witness against others. “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.” “He that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Slander is the offensive act of speaking falsely or maliciously against another person and thereby damaging their reputation and social standing. Slander includes every form of insult, malign, libel, slur, disparage, vilify, smear, calumny, slight, defame, and any other character assassination. Consider your casual conversation. This detail of the commandment cuts very close. “For I heard the defaming of many.” Psalms 101:5; Proverbs 10:18; Jeremiah 20:10. Also: Exodus 20:16; 23:1; Leviticus 19:16; Numbers 14:36; 2 Samuel 19:27; 22:8-10; 24:9; Psalms 15:3; 31:13; Proverbs 20:19; 25:23; Jeremiah 6:28; 9:4; 20:10; Ezekiel 22:9. Detail #11:8: Talebearing, gossip, being an informant, all destroy life. “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour; I am Yehuveh.” “A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.” “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” No one can rest safely when a talebearer is stirring up rumors, prejudice, confusion, and distrust. No wonder strife follows! Divulging a confidence, gossiping, spreading rumors and hearsay, carrying forward a scandalous report, and most other idle words are all talebearing and are forbidden under this command against false witnessing. Likewise, anyone who informs against other people or spreads malicious rumors, telling entrusted private information, is indeed bearing false witness against his neighbor and destroying lives. [Tragically, the religious “confessional” was used as a means of drawing such information out of the innocent, the young, the weak, and the wicked.] When a person becomes known as a snitch, no one can trust him. Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 11:13; 26:20. Also: Psalms 52:2; 64:3, 4; Proverbs 12:18; 16:28; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20-22. Detail #11:9: Reproach, criticism, finger-pointing, are all false witness. “Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.” “Then shalt thou call, and Yehuveh shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity.” Criticizing the faults and failures of others, whether they are real or supposed, destroys reputation and community. Disapproval for the wrongs of others, whether merely felt or fully expressed, also destroys relationship. How may children have low self-esteem because they have grown up under the frown of disapproval for nearly everything they do. Every act or word which discredits another or brings shame or disgrace upon them is a false witness against them. Rather, we should seek to cover the faults of others and protect their reputations while seeking personally to redirect, restore, and uplift them. Reproach includes censuring, reprimanding, blaming, reprooving, scolding, rebuking, admonishing, accusing, chiding, and any form of pointing the finger accusingly at someone else. Isaiah 57:4; Isaiah 58:9. Also: Genesis 20:16; 21:25; 2 Kings 19:4; 1 Chronicles 16:21; Job 6:25, 26; 13:10; 22:4; 26:11; 40:2; Psalms 15:3; 38:14; 50:8, 21; 105:14; 141:5; Proverbs 1:23, 25, 30; 5:12; 6:13, 23; 9:7-8, 10:17; 12:1; 13:18; 15:5, 10, 12, 31, 32; 17:10; 19:25; 25:12; 29:1, 15; 30:6; Isaiah 11:3, 4; 29:21; 37:4; Jeremiah 2:19; 29:27; Ezekiel 3:26; Hosea 4:4; Habakkuk 2:1. Gael Bataman Originally Written: 16 August 2008 Latest Update: 16 August 2008 Return to Zadok Home Page Continue . . . Return One Page Go to Revelation Intro |