I know that I have read Leviticus 5 numerous times, but the first verse never sunk into my head. The ninth commandment is very clear about the words we speak; “You shall not bear false testimony against your neighbor.” The terminology points to a legal responsibility within the civil context. If we speak about our neighbor we must speak the truth. But Leviticus 5:1 explains that further. Here God explains that if we witnessed an event but refuse to speak up about it, that inaction is sin. God goes on to explain that not speaking up is the same as making a rash vow and not keeping it. We are dishonoring our neighbor and God by being silent. There are many New Testament passage that teach us about the responsibility we have regarding what we say (Matthew 12:37, Ephesians 4:29, James 3:5 ). In this passage God makes it clear that we can’t get out of those responsibilities simply by avoiding the issue and being quiet.
It took me about 21 minutes to read this passage.
Stuart
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