Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
EXODUS 23:2
This verse warns against following the crowd to do evil and against altering one’s defense to better fit popular opinion. It sits among admonitions to justice and integrity in social life, especially in legal matters. The cultural practice of public consensus shaping judgment could pressure individuals to forsake truth for conformity. The law presses back against mob psychology, urging each person to maintain integrity even when the majority leans toward wrongdoing. It’s a countercultural call to moral autonomy before God, not a license for solitary dissent divorced from wisdom, but a commitment to truth in the face of social pressure.
Theologically, integrity before God requires countercultural courage: aligning with what is right, not what is popular. The verse foreshadows later Christian calls to resist conformity to worldly patterns (Romans 12:2) and to pursue righteousness even when it costs social capital.
Application: in debates, elections, or workplace disputes, resist pressure to join the majority if it means endorsing injustice. Encourage transparent processes, seek truth with your peers, and be prepared to stand alone if necessary for what is right. Teach others to value evidence and fairness over popularity.
Cross-References: Romans 12:2; Proverbs 28:25; James 3:14-16; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2