Day 1201: The death penalty - Exodus 21 vs 12 - 17

12 “Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death. 13 But if he did not lie in wait for him, but God let him fall into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place to which he may flee. 14 But if a man wilfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.” 15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.” 16 “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.” 17 “Whoever curses (reviles) his father or his mother shall be put to death.” Exodus 21:12-17 English Standard Version

We come to a topic where people are greatly divided, so I’m just sharing what I read in God’s word. In the years before the flood, we are told that violence had become a way of life in the world. Genesis 6:11-12 says that “God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence”, and He said to Noah: “I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.” After that catastrophic event, God told Noah and his family to multiply, and repopulate the earth. It may be that, in view of the violence that led to the flood, God said: “I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die. If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.” (Genesis 9:5-6)

So we see that it is God Himself who ordained the death penalty for those who choose to pursue violence. Three things are obvious. The one who executes someone who'd committed murder was not himself in danger of offending God. Secondly, while this law was given at a time when only Noah and his family were there, it would extend to a time when there was war, and people would be called to defend themselves from those attacking them. Thirdly, the basis for the law was that man was made in God's image. For this reason, even a wild beast was to be put to death if it attacked and killed a human being.

We see that by the time of Moses, what God said to Noah still applied! Murder was to be punished, but refuge was to be given to an accidental death which God had allowed to happen. In Moses' day, it was not only murder that was to be punished, even striking or cursing a parent was a capital offence because it broke God's command to honour their father and their mother. Remember, these laws were given to the people whom God had redeemed out of slavery.

What was the other offence that God said was punishable by death? (vs 16)

It was the sin of stealing a man, or being in possession of the stolen man. This was most likely for the purpose of slavery and would apply to woman as well. One can think of how Joseph's brothers were guilty of this sin. Sadly, much of the slave trade over many years would fall into this category. Today we can think of the horror of kidnapping, and even children being trafficked for sex.

There's much debate in society now as to whether the death penalty should still apply. In the days of the New Testament, the apostle Paul, writing to believers in Rome, said: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. He is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.” (Romans 13:1-4)

My personal thoughts are that, while the gospel has brought great light into the world, it is still a place where there is much violence. Even the violence of abortion. And in many places Governments have abdicated their responsibility. As believers we are called to pray for those in authority, so that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. May we do this often, and earnestly, for the days are evil.