1207: Not quick-tempered - Exodus 21 vs 16 - 27

18-19 “When men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist, and the man does not die but takes to his bed, then if the man rises again and walks outdoors with his staff, he who struck him shall be clear; only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall have him thoroughly healed. 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 avenged, for the slave is his money.

22-25 “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. 26-27 “When a man strikes the eye of his slave, male or female, and destroys it, he shall let the slave go free because of his eye. If he knocks out the tooth of his slave, male or female, he shall let the slave go free because of his tooth. Exodus 21:16-27 English Standard Version

God knew that the people He had rescued from slavery were far from perfect! In Deuteronomy 7:8 He said it was only because “the Lord loves you, and is keeping the oath He swore to your fathers, that He has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” This is true of Christians as well. We were not saved because we were good people, or already half way to being perfect! Like Israel of old, we were sinful men and women. But with the coming of Christ, the expectation for us is far higher. Jesus said: “I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

So God knew they would quarrel, and sometimes resort to violence. So He gave the instructions we read in vs 18-19. But how telling then is the standard which believers are called to today in the story Jesus told of a Samaritan who had compassion on a Jew who'd been wounded by robbers. “He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.” (Luke 10:34)

Verses 20-21 appear harsh in our eyes. But that's only because the gospel has turned the world upside down! Like the Colossians, we have a hope “laid up in heaven because the gospel, the word of the truth, came to us, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing.” (Colossians 2:5-6) But in those days it was customary to own slaves, and we know from experience that customs don't disappear overnight. But God showed the Israelites that the life of a slave was of value. If a slave died under the owners hand, he shall be avenged.

So what should we make of vs 22-25?

Firstly, it shows that today’s rush for abortions is a terrible thing. It's not just an accidental act where two people were having a quarrel. Secondly, there was to be a reckoning for any harm caused to the child. There may be a woman who had abortions before she was converted, or a man who pressed a women into it. How precious then is the gospel which promises that even such an act can be fully forgiven. Christ “was wounded for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquity. Upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace.” (Isaiah 53:5)

The last two verse again address the treatment of slaves. Proverbs 14:17 says “A man of quick temper acts foolishly.” And God put a restraint on violence on the part of the owner. To damage an eye, or knock out a tooth, would likely refer to someone who'd lost their temper and lashed out. So the slave was to be given freedom from such a master. In those days Israel was being taught something that would later need to be taught again. In Titus 1:7 the apostle Paul wrote that “An overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain.” Oh how slow we are to take God's word to our hearts. Let us not be over hasty in condemning the Israelites of old.