Protect Others We must always consider the well-being of others. Deuteronomy 22:8 “When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it.” 1 Corinthians 8:9-12 Here is yet another way that neighbors exercised ...
Protection for Livelihood Debt could not be used to deprive one of his means of work. Deuteronomy 24:6 “No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.” Taking someone’s livelihood in pledge for a loan was absolutely forbidden. It is part ...
Protection for Slaves God’s Law protected the rights and dignity even of slaves. Exodus 21:20, 21 “When a man strikes his slave, male or female, with a rod and the slave dies under his hand, he shall be avenged. But if the slave survives a day or two, he is not to be ...
Room for Grace Cities of refuge gave grace time to work healing. Numbers 35:9-15 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, ...
No Revenge Killing Cities of refuge were a measure of grace for the whole community. Numbers 35:9-15 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of ...
A Community Concern Justice is a community responsibility in the Law of God. Numbers 35:22-29 “But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or hurled anything on him without lying in wait or used a stone that could cause death, and without seeing him dropped it on him, so that he died, though ...
No Rushing to Judgment Cities of refuge demonstrate the grace of God’s Law. Deuteronomy 19:1-10 “‘When the LORD your God cuts off the nations whose land the LORD your God is giving you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, you shall set apart three cities for ...
Grace to Offenders God’s Law points the way to grace. Exodus 21:28-31 “When an ox gores a man or a woman to death, the ox shall be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten, but the owner of the ox shall not be liable. But if the ox has been accustomed to ...
Each His Own Guilt The Law of God is specific toward individual violators and violations. Deuteronomy 24:16 “‘Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.’” Under the Law of ...
Fear of Retribution The Law restrains the sinful actions of men. Leviticus 24:17-23 “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life. If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for ...