Exodus 23   Verses 1-9  center around what we would call the "justice system"..  Listen to these commands:

Do not put up with false reports.
Don't agree with the evil people and add to their malicious testimonies.
Don't follow the crowd in doing evil.
Don't agree with the crowd and pervert justice.
Don't show partiality in your testimony.
Don't take a bribe.
Don't treat your enemy falsely, but show them favor, mercy.. love.
Don't oppress the stranger in your midst.
"Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty." 

How far from this mandate of God do we fall in this country?
May God help us!

Verses 10-18 center around the sabbath day, the seventh year, and the yearly feasts.
The sabbath was given as a day of rest, " you shall cease from labor in order that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves."
This was meant for everyone.. even the animals and the least among them.
In the seventh year the land was to remain fallow.  It was given to the poor to glean what they could and then to the beasts to clear.

This warning is given.. "Now concerning everything I have said to you, be on your guard; and do not mention the name of other gods, nor let them be heard from your mouth."  The Lord, the God who revealed Himself as Yahweh... Jehovah.. His Name was the only name that they should speak.  And what did they do?  They changed His name so that they wouldn't speak it at all.. and then turned to the false gods... Such a tragedy!

Verses 20-33 are full of God's promises for the Land that He was going to give them.
He would bring them in with an angel to guard them the whole way.
He would be an enemy to their enemies.
He would completely destroy those in the land that He was giving them.
He would provide.. " bless your bread and your water." 
He would assure them of no miscarries and no barrenness!
He would extend their boundaries in a way that they could successfully and completely possess the land.

All they had to do was obey. Not rebel.  Not worship any idol. Not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land. "They shall not live in your land, lest they make you sin against Me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you. " 

Father in heaven, we long for the day when Your Kingdom comes and all will be as You have promised.  No more sin, sorrow, or sickness.  Where Israel failed to obey, Lord,  help us to be diligent to keep Your Word.  May we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with You, our God.  May we truly love You with all of our hearts, minds, and souls.  May we love others as You have said.  Keep us from evil and the evil one.  May we know You.  May we know what it is to be in Your Presence and serving You alone.  May we be faithful and steadfast in the power of Your Spirit to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we pray. Amen.