If we're supposed to care for the poor, why does it say what it says in Exodus 23:3 and how does that compare to Exodus 23:6?
Answer From The Annual Reading Schedule - Week 18 Notes For Exodus: Exodus 23:3 is talking about not showing partiality. It is basically teaching that just because someone is poor does not mean that we should immediately assume their side is correct in a dispute or disagreement. We have to hear the situation and make righteous judgments without assuming just because they're poor they're right. Compared to Exodus 23:6, we learn also in 23:6 that even though we shouldn't assume the poor person is right just because they're poor, we also should be cautious that if the poor person is right that we ensure the proper judgment is rendered in their favor. So while we are not supposed to just immediately favor them just because they're poor and assume they're right, we're also not supposed to be slack in protecting them through proper rending of a judgment if, after diligent inquiry, we find they are in fact in the right. The sum of these is this: "judge with righteous judgment" (John 7:24).
