Exodus 21:12-17
~13 min read
💭 Consider this: Can you think of other written or unwritten social rules or principles that have their origins in Biblical wisdom? How and why might such truths have been twisted or corrupted over time?
TRANSCRIPT
Our text for tonight's message is taken from Exodus 21:12-17. Before we dive into our text, let us consider some scenarios which may happen in our modern times. How should the law be applied to each case? For example,
- A man planned to kill his wife. He meticulously planned to do it. He waited for her to sleep, and then strangled her to death.
- Another man argued with his wife over a family matter. They started to quarrel, the quarrel became physical. In a fit of anger, the man struck her with his fist and she died.
- A homeowner was surprised to find an intruder in his house. They ended up in a scuffle. In the midst of the struggle, he struck a fatal blow and the intruder died.
- A woman was walking her dog in the park, and the animal broke loose from the leash and ended up attacking her neighbour, and she (the neighbour) died.
We hear such news all the time, right? Each of them would raise serious questions about justice. How should justice be applied to each case? In each case, a life was lost. Should the death penalty be applied to all the above? Is there any difference between premeditated murder, crime of passion, accidental killing, killing as a result of negligence, self-defence, and so forth? Some people will say the death penalty should be applied to all the above; others will say the death penalty should only be applied on a case-by-case basis. Although everyone wants justice, not everyone would agree on the right justice to be administered. Just listen to the debates on the talk shows where everyone has a different opinion. Even in our legal system, they do not always agree on what justice requires. A jury may reach a verdict only to be rejected by the judge based on technical issues. A judge may make a decision only to be overturned on an appeal. We see that happening all the time.
It was the same situation with the children of Israel as they began to function as a nation. They would face all these struggles, all these difficult decisions. How should they administer the right justice to the crimes committed at that time? Remember, God had just given the Ten Commandments to the people, and through Moses, God gave His laws on how they should apply the Ten Commandments to the different situations of life. Although the requirements and punishment for failing to abide by those laws only apply to the nation of Israel, nonetheless, we can still draw principles from those given laws to apply to our lives today.
God began with His laws regulating the relationship between masters and slaves, which we have learned in our previous message. Next, He dealt with the different crimes: capital crimes in Exodus 21:12-17, crimes that result in personal injuries in verses 18 to 27, and crimes due to negligence in verses 28-36. Notice there’s a progression from greater crimes to lesser crimes. Every crime is a sin against God and deserves to be punished, but some crimes do more damage than others, and it is only right for them to be punished more severely. The biblical principle of justice was based on the phrase found in verse 24, ‘an eye for an eye.’ I have restated this phrase as ‘The Punishment Fits The Crime.’ Tonight, we will only focus on the capital crimes in verses 12 to 17. The title of our message is ‘The Punishment Fits The Crime: a life for a life’.
I. Intentional Killing
a. Murder
What are the crimes that demand the death penalty? Firstly, intentional killing. Let us begin with verse 12: “He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.” This is a direct violation against the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13) Anyone who takes another person’s life in cold blood does not deserve to live; he should be put to death, a life for a life (Exodus 21:24). Some people think that the death penalty itself contradicts the sixth commandment because if God has given to us this command, ‘Do not kill,’ then we do not have the right to kill anyone, including the murderer. This is a misconception of the sixth commandment.
When God said, “Thou shalt not kill,” (Exodus 20:13) He was talking about murder, not about judicial killing for the purpose of executing justice. There are several Hebrew words used for killing, and the word used in “Thou shalt not kill” is the word for murder, slay, or assassinate, not the word for execution. God’s law does not rule out the death penalty; in fact, it requires it. One theologian rightly said, ‘God is the Divine Executor and He punishes the wicked with death.’ If God is the Divine Executor and He kills, does it mean that God Himself has violated His own commandment? Most certainly not. In the case of murder, death is the only penalty that protects and preserves the value of human life. Any other punishment is inadequate.
In many countries, they do not have the death penalty, like in Australia—only life imprisonment, which may range from 10 years to 30 years, and the criminal may be released for good behaviour. Several years ago, I watched a documentary about some murderers who were sentenced to multiple life imprisonments for multiple murders, which means they had committed one murder, jailed, released, and then they committed the same offence again and again and again. I remember the interviewer said, ‘All those lives would not be lost if only our country had the death penalty.’ Obviously, the punishment did not fit the crime.
Rather than viewing the death penalty as being wicked, evil, and cruel, it actually protects and preserves the value of human lives. Long before God gave these laws to Moses, after the Great Flood, He already said to Noah in Genesis 9:6, “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Every human being is made in the image of God; therefore, the murder of another human being is a direct attack against God. It is an assault on His divine sovereignty.
But we all know that there were cases when innocent people were sentenced to death, and once the death sentence had been carried out, it could not be undone; the person is killed. Therefore, special rules were given to Israel to make sure that no one should be executed unless he was found guilty. God’s laws provide safeguards for all those who are innocent so that they would not be put to death.
Deuteronomy 17:6 says, “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.” And God required those witnesses to be the first ones to put their hands on the person who was sentenced to death, followed by all the people. (Deuteronomy 17:7) In other words, they must make sure that their testimonies were true, and anyone who gave false witnesses would suffer the same fate as the one who was sentenced to death. That was God’s protection, His safeguard against those who will be put to death but they are innocent.
What lesson can we learn from here? Our testimonies must always be true, not only when we stand before the judge in the court of law; at every moment of our lives, you and I are always in the presence of God who is the ultimate judge. So we must let our yea be yea and our nay be nay. (James 5:12) We must not be biased against people of other races, cultures, or social status. God will hold us accountable.
b. Kidnapping
God moved on to talk about another capital crime that required the death penalty. Look down to verse 16: “And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.” Although the context was about the slave trade, this law forbids any kind of kidnapping for whatever reasons. If you sell the person or keep the person for yourself, you are guilty. Life is precious in God’s sight.
To steal another person, which is a life, is not only a violation of the eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not steal,” (Exodus 20:15) but it is also a violation of the sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” (Exodus 20:13) because it is about the preservation and sanctity of life. The crime of kidnapping is also a total disregard for the human being who is made in the image of God (Genesis 5:1-2). It is a very serious sin.
Do you remember the sin of Joseph’s brothers who sold him to the Midianites? (Genesis 37:28) When they sold Joseph into slavery, they had committed the sin of kidnapping. They were worthy to be put to death, but they were spared from death because of God’s greater purpose and glory. Out of the twelve sons of Jacob whom God preserved, including Joseph, would come the nation of Israel, and out of Israel would come the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. That was why Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20: “But as for you,” referring to his brothers, “ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
That evil committed against Joseph, the sin of kidnapping and selling him into slavery, deserved the death penalty, but they were spared because God meant it unto good for His sovereign purpose so that many people would be saved and be alive during that time. When the brothers came to Joseph in Egypt, they were provided with food for their survival, but to a larger extent, one day many will be saved through the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who came from the tribe of Jacob, from the nation of Israel. It was for God’s greater purpose and glory. But the point is that this is a very serious sin.
c. Abusing Parents
Then there was this surprising twist when God required the death penalty for crimes that did not result in death. Look at verse 15: “He that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.” Or verse 17: “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.” Notice that the same law applied to fathers as well as mothers. In other words, the women received equal rights and protections under God's law, as opposed to some people who say that the Bible is male-oriented, male chauvinistic, and only gravitates toward the men. But nothing is further from the truth. God is no respecter of persons; His law is no respecter of persons. The men and women received equal rights and protection under His law.
Why did God require the death penalty when no murder was committed? There are several reasons for this. Firstly, the word ‘smiteth’ refers to a vicious attack—an attempted murder with the intent to kill. The word ‘curseth’ is not a single act of disrespect but a total rejection of parental authority.
Remember, God deals with His people in a covenantal way, and the parents are His gift to lead the people as a covenant family and ultimately as a covenant community. To attack, reject, and dishonour the parents is to attack, reject, and dishonour the covenant God. That is why some theologians see the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17) as divided into two parts: the first five commandments have to do with God, and the second five commandments have to do with men. The fifth commandment, "Thou shalt honour thy father and thy mother," (Exodus 20:12) has to do with God because parents are God's representatives on the earth.
Another important thing to take note of is that this law was specially given to the nation of Israel, who would soon enter the Promised Land, and they must function as a covenant community. The covenant community was made up of all the covenant families. To attack, reject, and dishonour the parents was to destroy the family, and the family was the pillar of the nation. When the family is destroyed, the nation will follow suit; it will be destroyed as well. So, this law was specially given to Israel not only for the preservation of the family but for the protection of the nation.
How can we apply this principle to our lives today? There are children who treat their parents in the most horrendous way. They disregard their parental authority; they do not obey or honour their parents. They abuse them verbally and even physically. Their acts of disobedience destroy the family, which is the very fabric of our society.
That is why, when we trace the roots of almost all the societal problems, all the crimes, all the horrendous evil in this world, it begins with the family. It begins with this total disregard for parental authority at home. As someone said, if a person has no regard for his parents, will he spare anyone? No!
A word to all the children: you must not dishonour your parents. This is a very serious sin, and God will hold you accountable. Although we do not hold our children to task, as in killing them whenever they commit this sin—because the requirement and punishment for this law only applied to the nation of Israel—the principle still applies to us today. God takes a very serious view of the sin committed against parents, and He will hold us accountable. So, we must never play the fool with God. Always honour our parents, love them, and cherish them as God's commandment requires.
II. Unintentional Killing
Our second point is the unintentional killing. Look at verse 13: "And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee." The emphasis of the phrase ‘lie not in wait’ speaks of the intention. The person did not deliberately wait in order to kill; it was not his intention. It was by accident. Some people get killed by accident, and God makes a distinction between intentional and unintentional killing.
‘But God deliver him into his hand’ means God allows it to happen, meaning to say it was beyond human control. It could also be a crime of passion, whereby in the heat of an argument which ended in a scuffle, someone gets killed. Or perhaps, in self-defence, someone gets killed. It was not a case of premeditated murder. In such situations, God has designated a place for them to flee to. In those days, the murderer would have been killed by the victim's relatives even before the authorities could get to him. And then what would happen? The murderer’s relatives would retaliate and revenge and kill the victim's relatives, and it would become a vicious cycle.
It was common for unintentional killing to lead to revenge, which resulted in intentional killing. God did not want that to happen. Instead of resorting to violence and revenge, God had provided a better way for justice to be done. As soon as the killer realised what he had done, he could run to a divinely designated place of refuge. (Exodus 21:13)
Later on, when the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God designated six cities of refuge where these people could flee to. (Numbers 35:11-15; Joshua 20:7-9) Once they reached the city of refuge, *or run into the sanctuary and put their hands on the altar, they could not be touched until the authorities had a chance to investigate the crimes thoroughly. If after due process of investigation they were found to be innocent—it was indeed an accident—they would be allowed to leave. (Joshua 20:4-6)
(*transcript edited as per the preacher’s correction)
If they were found to be guilty, it was intentional and premeditated. Not even the altar could save them. There was a classic example in the Bible about a man named Joab, who was a commander of Israel's army during the time when David was handing the kingdom to his son Solomon. Joab had committed treason, and he should be put to death. He sought refuge and protection from Solomon by clinging onto the horns of God’s altar. But he was found guilty, and the king's soldier came in, took him off the horns of God’s altar, and killed him. You can read about that in 1 Kings 2:28-34.
That is why verse 14 says: "But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour,” it was intentional, premeditated, deliberate, “to slay him with guile;" which means with deceit or craftiness. What should happen to him? "Thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die." In other words, if he was found guilty, even if he were to cling onto the altar of God, it could not save him. He must be put to death. A life for a life.
Dear friend, have you ever heard someone say to you that the Bible is an old book, written thousands of years ago, and the justice system was ancient, wicked, cruel, evil, and unfair because they read of these death penalties? And it is totally irrelevant to us today? Have you ever heard that? Well, do you realise that in our modern times, most developed societies, governments, and institutions administer justice based on a careful study of each crime? They will not punish a petty crime with a death penalty, nor would they punish a wicked crime with a light punishment, like a tap on the hand. Why do they do that? Because they want a justice system where the punishment fits the crime.
Where does this principle, ‘the punishment fits the crime,’ come from? Well, the Bible calls it “an eye for an eye.” Thousands of years ago, God had already given His laws to the people based on this principle: "an eye for an eye," (Exodus 21:24) the punishment fits the crime. This is the wisdom, justice, and righteousness of our God, and it will do us well if you and I were to apply the biblical principles that God has given to us in the Bible. When we return, we will consider the second part of ‘the punishment fits the crime.’ Let us pray.
Our Father in heaven, we thank Thee for enabling us to consider this portion of Scriptures. Indeed, even as we consider Thy laws given in the Old Testament to the children of Israel, Thy law is just, righteous. ‘An eye for an eye,’ the punishment fits the crime. Contrary to what the world says, this is Thy wisdom.
And as we learn to draw principles, help us that we will always be truthful in what we say, always be godly in the way we live our lives, and we will always look to Thy Word for guidance, for Thy Word is true. And we pray that Thou will continue to teach us Thy infallible and inerrant Word, the Bible, so that we who understand Thy Word may rightly divide the Word of Truth and apply it into our lives to the glory of Thy precious name. We pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen.
THE BOOK OF EXODUSGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassGod’s Prophecy and Promise Had Come To PassExodus 1:1-7
From Prosperity to PersecutionFrom Prosperity to PersecutionExodus 1:8-14
God’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesGod’s Protection in the Midst of AdversitiesExodus 1:15-21
The Faith of JochebedThe Faith of JochebedExodus 1:22-2:10
Moses in EgyptMoses in EgyptExodus 2:11-15
Moses in the Desert of MidianMoses in the Desert of MidianExodus 2:16-25
Moses and the Burning BushMoses and the Burning BushExodus 3:1-9
Who Are You?Who Are You?Exodus 3:10-15
Who Am I?Who Am I?Exodus 3:10-15
God’s Message to Israel and EgyptGod’s Message to Israel and EgyptExodus 3:16-22
What If They Still Don’t Believe?What If They Still Don’t Believe?Exodus 4:1-9
Send Someone ElseSend Someone ElseExodus 4:10-17
Moses’ Return to EgyptMoses’ Return to EgyptExodus 4:18-20
When Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseWhen Things Seemed to Get Better, They Got WorseExodus 5:10-21
When We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesWhen We Have Done Everything Right, and Yet Trouble ComesExodus 5:22-6:5
Having to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceHaving to Learn the Same Lesson TwiceExodus 6:6-12
Faithful or UnfaithfulFaithful or UnfaithfulExodus 6:13-27
What God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceWhat God Wants Is Our Faithfulness and ObedienceExodus 6:28-7:7
The First Plague - The River of BloodThe First Plague - The River of BloodExodus 7:14-25
The Second Plague - The FrogsThe Second Plague - The FrogsExodus 8:1-15
The Third PlagueThe Third PlagueExodus 8:16-19
The Fourth PlagueThe Fourth PlagueExodus 8:20-32
The Fifth PlagueThe Fifth PlagueExodus 9:1-7
The Sixth PlagueThe Sixth PlagueExodus 9:8-12
The Seventh PlagueThe Seventh PlagueExodus 9:13-35
The Eighth PlagueThe Eighth PlagueExodus 10:1-20
The Tenth PlagueThe Tenth PlagueExodus 11:1-10
The First PassoverThe First PassoverExodus 12:1-13
The Feast of the Unleavened BreadThe Feast of the Unleavened BreadExodus 12:14-28
Departure From EgyptDeparture From EgyptExodus 12:29-42
This Do In Remembrance of MeThis Do In Remembrance of MeExodus 12:43-51; 1 Corinthians 11:23-32
Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Message 2: What is Church to you? My Covenantal Family!Exodus 12:48-49, Colossians 2:11-12
Redemption and ConsecrationRedemption and ConsecrationExodus 13:1-2, 11-16
Precious Lord, Take My HandPrecious Lord, Take My HandExodus 13:17-22
Between the Desert and the Red SeaBetween the Desert and the Red SeaExodus 14:1-14
Crossing the Red SeaCrossing the Red SeaExodus 14:15-31
The Song of PraiseThe Song of PraiseExodus 15:1-21
Will You Obey Or Not?Will You Obey Or Not?Exodus 15:22-27
The Danger of a Complaining SpiritThe Danger of a Complaining SpiritExodus 16:1-3
God’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsGod’s Response to Israel’s ComplaintsExodus 16:1-10
The Test of FaithThe Test of FaithExodus 16:11-20
Lessons About the SabbathLessons About the SabbathExodus 16:21-36
Do Not Test GodDo Not Test GodExodus 17:1-17
Lift Up Your HandsLift Up Your HandsExodus 17:8-16
The Blessedness of ReunionThe Blessedness of ReunionExodus 18:1-12
Why Do We Have Leaders?Why Do We Have Leaders?Exodus 18:13-27
I Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsI Will Carry You On Eagles’ WingsExodus 19:1-6
Approach God Fearlessly or FearfullyApproach God Fearlessly or FearfullyExodus 19:7-15
God Reached Out And SpokeGod Reached Out And SpokeExodus 19:16-25
Thou Shalt Have No Other GodsThou Shalt Have No Other GodsExodus 20:1-3
Thou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesThou Shalt Not Make Graven ImagesExodus 20:4-6
Thou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameThou Shalt Not Dishonour God’s NameExodus 20:7
Thou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayThou Shalt Keep The Sabbath DayExodus 20:8-11
Honour Thy Father And Thy MotherHonour Thy Father And Thy MotherExodus 20:12
Thou Shalt Not KillThou Shalt Not KillExodus 20:13
Thou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryThou Shalt Not Commit AdulteryExodus 20:14
Thou Shalt Not StealThou Shalt Not StealExodus 20:15
Thou Shalt Not LieThou Shalt Not LieExodus 20:16
Thou Shalt Not CovetThou Shalt Not CovetExodus 20:17
The Response To The Ten CommandmentsThe Response To The Ten CommandmentsExodus 20:18-21
How God Wants Us To Worship HimHow God Wants Us To Worship HimExodus 20:22-26
Why Would God Allow Slavery?Why Would God Allow Slavery?Exodus 21:1-11
The Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — a life for a lifeExodus 21:12-17
The Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeThe Punishment Fits The Crime — an eye for an eyeExodus 21:18-36
The Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsThe Punishment Deters The Crime — property lawsExodus 22:1-15
The Character Of GodThe Character Of GodExodus 22:16-20
Reaching Out To The Down-And-OutReaching Out To The Down-And-OutExodus 22:21-24
The Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodThe Compassion, Authority & Holiness Of GodExodus 22:25-31
Truth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthTruth Cannot Be Subjected To Anything But TruthExodus 23:1-9
Remember Who God IsRemember Who God IsExodus 23:10-19
What Must We Do To Have VictoryWhat Must We Do To Have VictoryExodus 23:20-33
How We Ought To Worship GodHow We Ought To Worship GodExodus 24:1-4, 7
On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?On What Basis Can We Approach His Majesty?Exodus 24:4-8
Responding To God’s InvitationResponding To God’s InvitationExodus 24:9-18
The Right Attitude Of GivingThe Right Attitude Of GivingExodus 25:1-8
There I Will Meet YouThere I Will Meet YouExodus 25:9-22
Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?Physical Or Spiritual Bread, Which Is More Important?Exodus 25:23-30
Let Your Light So Shine Before MenLet Your Light So Shine Before MenExodus 25:31-40
The Veil That SeparatesThe Veil That SeparatesExodus 26:1-37
A Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A ThousandA Day In Thy Court Is Better Than A ThousandExodus 27:1-19
Who Can Represent Us Before God?Who Can Represent Us Before God?Exodus 27:20-28:14
How Can We Know God’s Will?How Can We Know God’s Will?Exodus 28:15-30
Is Our Worship Attire Really Important?Is Our Worship Attire Really Important?Exodus 28:31-43
If Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceIf Thy Presence Go Not with Me, Carry Us Not Up HenceExodus 33:12-23
