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LAW ON UNRESOLVED MURDER
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29
Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Genesis 9:6

 

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood,

by man shall his blood be shed.”

 

LAW ON UNRESOLVED MURDER
 
Murder is a common transgression in all generations. The guilty party always does everything possible to conceal his identity. Moses anticipated that this would be one of the problems the nation had to face. The Lord gave him direction on the resolution of such hidden murders. The taking of human life is a most grievous sin. When such happens, everyone is taken with great fear. The Lord gave a law to Israel so that such a matter may get a just solution.
 
He gave a scenario where a person might be found murdered in the field and the murderer was unknown. The elders of the nearest cities would come together and determine the nearest city. Logical steps would be taken and questions would be asked if there was any witness to the crime. When none yielded any evidence, then an oath would be taken according to the given instructions. The elders of the city shall take a heifer that had not been profaned and had not drawn a yoke. They would bring the heifer to an uncultivated valley and strike at the heifer’s neck in the valley. The priests would come and bless the name of the Lord and by their word would every controversy and every stroke be tried. The elders of the nearest city to the slain man would wash their hands over the beheaded heifer. They would swear that their hands had not shed that blood nor their eyes had seen it. They would also ask for forgiveness from the Lord as they were innocent. In this way, they would put away the guilt.
 
The Law against murder simply states: “Thou shalt not kill” (Deut 5:17). The instructions given for murder were meant to discourage potential criminals, that they would not be able to get away with their heinous acts without punishment.
 
THOUGHT: The Law of murder is not limited to the external act.

PRAYER: Father, help me to preserve life.

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