Defined Lines Not to Cross

Defined Lines Not to Cross

Exodus 21: ¹² “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. ¹³ However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

 

¹⁴ “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

 

¹⁵ “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁶ “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁷ “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

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After GOD gave Moses the laws concerning the protection of human lineages, HE turns to addressing violent mindsets.

 

My Observations:

• GOD created humans with free will to choose peace or violence.
• GOD may have been addressing a mindset that began after the garden of Eden, namely violence.
• GOD may have been steering humans away from violent acts to see HIS grace, mercy and love.

 

When someone is willing to cross the line and murder someone, hit a parent, kidnap someone or curse a parent publicly, that person is supposed to be seen as dangerous. GOD saw the heart of Canaan and knew his mindset was dangerous.

 

People who followed Canaan would murder, kidnap and harm others, even their own parents. This led to cruel behavior that would put the lineage of JESUS in jeopardy. GOD wants to protect peace. HE made Adam and Eve with peace and serenity. They had everything they needed.

 

But when they chose to be like GOD, as tricked by Satan, all humans faced the choice of violence versus peace. Our sin nature wants control and sometimes that control can lead to a desire to harm other people. GOD was addressing a centuries old issue that still lingers to this day, namely hating other people to the point of violence.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning against violence?
• Have you ever thought about harming someone on purpose to get your way?
• Can you think of ways to love the person you originally wanted harm to fall on them?