Context No. 4011 of 4322 · Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 17:1-7: in context

1You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a defect or anything evil; for that is an abomination to the LORD your God. 2If there is found among you, within any of your gates which the LORD your God gives you, a man or woman who does that which is evil in the LORD your God’s sight in transgressing his covenant, 3and has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the stars of the sky, which I have not commanded, 4and you are told, and you have heard of it, then you shall inquire diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Israel, 5then you shall bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to your gates, even that same man or woman; and you shall stone them to death with stones. 6At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death. At the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. 7The hands of the witnesses shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

This passage sets out how a grave accusation was to be handled in Israel, and embedded in these ancient laws are principles of justice that still matter. When someone was accused of a serious offense, the command was clear: you shall inquire diligently, and only if the thing is established as certain was action to be taken. And no one could be condemned on the word of a single witness; only at the testimony of two or three witnesses.

We read the severity of the ancient penalties across a great distance of culture, but the principles of justice built into the law are enduring and wise. God did not permit his people to act on rumor, suspicion, or a single accuser's word. Before anyone could be condemned, the matter had to be investigated carefully and confirmed by multiple witnesses. This is a safeguard against false accusation, against the destruction of a person on hearsay or by one hostile voice. We do well to reflect the same care: to inquire before we judge, to require real evidence rather than gossip, and to guard against condemning anyone on the word of a single accuser.

When I hear an accusation against someone, do I inquire diligently and look for real evidence before judging, as God's law required, or am I quick to condemn on the strength of rumor or a single hostile voice?

Sources

Deuteronomy 17:4: "Then you shall inquire diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Israel."
Deuteronomy 17:6: "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses... At the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."
Deuteronomy 19:15: "One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin... At the mouth of two witnesses... shall a matter be established."