Seize the Moment – Day 477

The Law of Retaliation!

Exodus 21

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, July 7.

 

Have you ever wanted to get even with someone?

 

Immediately following the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses in Exodus 20, God started giving His new people the covenant code. The covenant code is the body of Law within God’s covenant with Israel. It is the content of what Moses called the “book of the covenant” (Exodus 24:7) and it would take the next three chapters to record it.

 

Exodus 21:23-25 captures the legal precedence of the code: “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”

 

This passage “illustrates the principle of lex talionis, the idea that punishment must be meted out in exact equivalence to the crime (see Lev 24:17–22; Deut 19:18–19).”[1]

 

It is the law of retaliation and it was prominent throughout ancient law, but Jesus transformed the covenant code by replacing the legal precedent behind it—from retaliation to generosity!

 

Listen to Jesus give the way of the new covenant in Matthew 5:38-41,

 

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.”

 

Seize the moment by retaliating against your enemy with generosity and kindness! The next time you want to get even with someone, stop and thank God that He didn’t give you what you deserve, but gave you grace!

 

God bless your day!
 
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YOUTUBE:

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FOOTNOTES:
 

[1] John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Ex 21:24.

 
 

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