Fri.’s Devo - Laws of Murder

Read Ex. 21:12-16 If a man murders a man; he will be put to death, but if a man accidentally kills another man he can run to a city of refuge and be safe until the death of the high priest, then he will be free to leave pardoned. Cities of refuge are explained in full in Numbers 35. This was how God dealt with things in the Old Testament but it is symbolic of what he does in the New. The first statement has to do with spiritual death. If your heart is full of murder, and your actions follow your heart, then you die in your guilt and you are guilty of crucifying Christ. If you are repentant and don’t have murder in your heart, then your city of refuge is the cross. The high priest is Jesus who died to set you free. Verse 15 says that if you smite your father or mother you will be put to death. Your father and mother have to do with your roots and your inheritance. It would be the epitome of disrespect for God and his plan which will cause that person to lose his life. Verse 16 says that if you steal a man and sell him, or be found holding him against his will you will die. To steal another’s destiny or messing up God’s plan for another person is punishable by death. There are many ways God punishes by death. Sometimes, it is literal hell and other times it is hell on earth that will cause him to die to himself. Then he can live eternally in heaven. It is ultimately being given over to the judgments of God. Lord, thank you for making a way that we as sinners can repent and come under the shadow of your wing and find salvation. Your grace and mercy knows no end!