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THE PROVISION FOR INNOCENT BLOOD AND MURDER
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23
Deuteronomy 19:1-14

Exodus 20:13, 15

 

“Thou shalt not kill…

Thou shalt not steal.”

 

THE PROVISION FOR INNOCENT BLOOD AND MURDER
 
Moses gave the commandment for the additional three cities of refuge: “If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the LORD thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three” (Deut 19:9). It was a law that innocent blood should not be shed in the land. Anyone who intentionally kills contravenes this law and is guilty of murder. When such a murderer flees to one of the cities of refuge, the elders of his city shall send and fetch him from there. He will be delivered to the avenger of blood and shall be put to death.
 
It is expressly commanded that the people shall have no pity on such a person. This command was given during the time of Noah, long before Moses’ time. Genesis 9:6: “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” This is a universal law. However, today there are many voices calling for the abolition of the death penalty in the statute books of nations, and to substitute it with a life sentence. Nevertheless, as shown in Scripture, this is a divine law. In the New Testament, where authority is given to the civil government, it is said that a ruler does not bear a sword in vain, because it is meant to execute justice and revenge for innocent blood.
 
Moses also commanded in Deuteronomy 19:14 that none should remove his neighbour’s landmark which they of old have set in their inheritance in the land that the Lord gave to Israel. This remark may seem unconnected to the text, but it is related to murder because from time immemorial, land disputes have frequently led to the shedding of innocent blood. It is therefore forbidden to prevent greater transgressions.
 
THOUGHT: I must love my neighbour and respect his property.

PRAYER: Father, may I observe the prohibitions of Thy Law.

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