Exodus 23:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: you shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor do as they do, but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their pillars in pieces.

NIV: Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices. You must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces.

NASB: You shall not worship their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their deeds; but you shall utterly overthrow them and break their memorial stones in pieces.

CSB: Do not bow in worship to their gods, and do not serve them. Do not imitate their practices. Instead, demolish them and smash their sacred pillars to pieces.

NLT: You must not worship the gods of these nations or serve them in any way or imitate their evil practices. Instead, you must utterly destroy them and smash their sacred pillars.

KJV: Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works: but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.

NKJV: You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

Exodus 23:20–33 both warns and reassures Israel about their entry into the Promised Land. This includes references to an angel; this may imply a pre-incarnate form of Jesus Christ. God calls the people to obedience and warns them not to follow the evil practices of the Canaanite nations (Exodus 3:8). Obedience will result in protection and blessings as the Israelites gradually take over an expansive territory (Genesis 15:18–21; Deuteronomy 11:24).

These laws mandate fair judgment, with no bias given for or against the rich, the poor, or foreign travelers. God commands Israel not to follow popular sentiment when it is unjust. Other rules require letting fields grow wild every seven years for the benefit of the land, the poor, and wild animals. The Lord then warns Israel about obedience. If they follow His will, an angel will guide them as they conquer the entire Promised Land (Genesis 15:18–21; Deuteronomy 11:24).

After receiving the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3–17), Israel learns other laws from the Lord. Chapters 21 and 22 covered topics such as servants' rights, homicide, negligence, theft, and social justice. This chapter mandates certain yearly festivals and forbids bias in judgments. It also instructs Israel regarding their upcoming conquest of the Promised Land. Chapter 24 describes a ritual confirmation of the Mosaic covenant. Most chapters after that involve details of the tabernacle.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.