Exodus 21:23-25, “But if there is harm,
then you shall pay life for life, (24) eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,
foot for foot, (25) burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for
stripe.”
In Exodus 21 further laws are given, the majority of these laws
pertain to murder, assault, and personal injuries at the hands of each other,
or due to an unruly animal. In the midst of these civil laws, come these well-known
verses. As well as these verses are known, they are equally misunderstood. The
principle given in these verses is there to guide those who were to serve as
magistrates and judges in the nation of Israel. It was a means to help them
know how restitution was to be made and justice served. Their design is to
prevent personal revenge, overly harsh punishment, light punishment or
injustice. The greater principle behind these verses is that of the commandment
not to murder, the people of Israel are to understand that human life is
created in the image of God, is therefore precious and is to be upheld,
protected and preserved. An attack against a person, is to attack someone who
is created in the image of God and therefore to come against God Himself. Thus
the Israelites are being taught the further implication of this commandment, it
is not just murder that is wrong, it is any act of selfish, unjust, and evil violence
against each other. We are not only commanded not to murder, we are also
commanded not to strike each other in sin and anger. Both murder and acts of
violence are to be dealt with in a manner that is just and appropriate.
These verses are also well-known to us because they are quoted in part
by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus not only quotes these verses, but he
takes them to another level when applying it to the lives of those who believe
in and follow him. Matthew 5:38-48, “You
have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' (39) But I say to you, Do not resist the one who
is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other
also. (40) And if anyone would sue you
and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (41) And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go
with him two miles. (42) Give to the one
who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (43) "You have heard that it was said, 'You
shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' (44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray
for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is
in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends
rain on the just and on the unjust. (46)
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even
the tax collectors do the same? (47) And
if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not
even the Gentiles do the same? (48) You therefore must be perfect, as your
heavenly Father is perfect.”
Jesus here is not denying the need and place for justice, he is not
saying that if a Christian is murdered that the murderer should go free. Rather
what Jesus would have us understand is how this principle applies to us as
Christians when we face opposition for our faith in Christ, how we should
respond towards Christian persecution. If someone comes against us because of
our faith in Christ, we should not retaliate, nor seek after revenge, rather we
should extend grace, mercy, love and forgiveness to our persecutors and entrust
ourselves to God’s justice. This doesn’t mean that if a Christian is murdered because
of their faith, that the murderer should be forgiven and let off, justice must
be served through the means of justice that God has established. As Christians,
we should seek for justice to be done, but we also need to extend the Gospel,
forgiveness and love to those who have come against us.
In doing this we are following the example set for us by God. Our
actions against God demanded justice, we must be punished for what we have
done. God also desires to show love, mercy, grace and favour to us. However,
God’s holiness and justice cannot be overpowered by His love and grace, nor can
it merely sweep our sin under the carpet. God may love us with an everlasting
indescribable love, but God must also be just. Therefore God acts both in
justice and in love, our sin is dealt with, the punishment against it is laid
upon Christ, God’s holiness, and justice is satisfied, and love, forgiveness
and salvation is extended to us on that basis. It is this example that we are
to follow.
Most holy, righteous, just and loving
God, we praise and thank You for Your grace given to us through the Lord Jesus
Christ. We thank You, that He bore the just and full punishment that we
deserved and we have undeservedly received grace and salvation through Christ’s
work. We pray that You would help us to follow Your example when it comes to
responding to those who come against us because of our faith in You. May we
seek to love those who hate You and therefore hate us, remembering that there
once was a time when we hated You, and yet You showed love and forgiveness
towards us. May we become more and more like You, for the glory of Your name.
Amen.
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