Exo 21:12-36 | KingComments | STEP | In further regulations are given in case of violation of a certain commandment. We see how God takes into account different circumstances. He also takes into account whether and to what extent it is unintentional or deliberately. In Matthew 5 the Lord Jesus also pays attention to the transgression of the commandments ( ). He shows there that it is not only about deeds, but especially about the heart, the attitude that lies behind the deeds and the words. He has also revealed His own heart and has shown how much it goes beyond what the law requires. He has not only fulfilled the law, but also what goes beyond it. Nowhere does the law ask to give your life for the other. He did. That is where love brings you. First, further regulations are given in case of violation of the sixth commandment ( ; ). The most radical form of violation of the law against his neighbor is to kill him, to take his life. As a general rule, in the case of manslaughter, one must act in accordance with what has been declared to Noah ( ). He who kills another, enters into the rights of God. Only God has the right over life and death. God has transferred this right to the government ( ). If someone accidentally kills another person, he can flee to a city of refuge, for which arrangements will be made later ( ; ; ). He can also take refuge at the altar. God allowed it to happen at his hand. That does not mean that God worked it, but has allowed it. The fact that nothing happens outside His will does not mean that He is responsible for it. He does have a purpose with what happens. In this case we can see that God wants to use this tragic event to bring the manslayer to His altar, a picture of the cross. But he who is not sincere in this, will still die ( ).

‏ Exodus 21:12-36

He Who Kills a Man

In Exo 21:12-36 further regulations are given in case of violation of a certain commandment. We see how God takes into account different circumstances. He also takes into account whether and to what extent it is unintentional or deliberately.

In Matthew 5 the Lord Jesus also pays attention to the transgression of the commandments (Mt 5:17-48). He shows there that it is not only about deeds, but especially about the heart, the attitude that lies behind the deeds and the words. He has also revealed His own heart and has shown how much it goes beyond what the law requires. He has not only fulfilled the law, but also what goes beyond it. Nowhere does the law ask to give your life for the other. He did. That is where love brings you.

First, further regulations are given in case of violation of the sixth commandment (Exo 21:12-14; Exo 20:13). The most radical form of violation of the law against his neighbor is to kill him, to take his life. As a general rule, in the case of manslaughter, one must act in accordance with what has been declared to Noah (Gen 9:6). He who kills another, enters into the rights of God. Only God has the right over life and death. God has transferred this right to the government (Rom 13:1-7).

If someone accidentally kills another person, he can flee to a city of refuge, for which arrangements will be made later (Num 35:1-34; Deu 19:1-13; Jos 20:1-9). He can also take refuge at the altar. God allowed it to happen at his hand. That does not mean that God worked it, but has allowed it. The fact that nothing happens outside His will does not mean that He is responsible for it. He does have a purpose with what happens. In this case we can see that God wants to use this tragic event to bring the manslayer to His altar, a picture of the cross. But he who is not sincere in this, will still die (1Kgs 2:29).

He Who Strikes His Father or His Mother

He who strikes his father or his mother, violates the fifth commandment (Exo 20:12). The fifth commandment is the first commandment of the commandments relating to the relationship with one’s neighbor. As with the sixth commandment, this is rebellion against God-given authority. This rebellion must be punished with the death penalty.

God’s authority is represented on earth primarily by parents. Children who have no respect for their parents generally have no respect for any form of authority (cf. Pro 30:11-14).

He Who Kidnaps a Man

The kidnapping of a man means a transgression of the eighth commandment (Exo 20:15). Of all forms of theft this is the worst. Paul mentions the “kidnappers” in a list in which he gives several examples of people for whom the law is intended (1Tim 1:8-11). A kidnapper is someone who deprives another of his freedom and makes him or her an object from which to earn. This crime must also be punished with the death penalty.

In spiritual terms, this happens when someone makes another totally dependent on himself and can therefore manipulate him, so that the other can no longer be as God intended him to be. Man has been made in God’s likeness (Jam 3:9). Therefore, every human being must be treated with respect (1Pet 2:17).

He Who Curses His Father or His Mother

Someone who curses his father or his mother violates the fifth commandment (Exo 20:12), as in Exo 21:15. This is not a violation by a misdemeanor like in Exo 21:15, but speaking scandalously about the parents. The death penalty must also be applied to this crime.

Children who abuse their parents by deed or word are deeply immersed in their natural feelings. They despise the most elementary relations God has given man in creation.

Causing Bodily Injury

The infliction of bodily injury is related to the sixth commandment (Exo 21:18-19; Exo 20:13). A fight gets out of hand. There are no dead, but there are wounded. The wounded may not work for some time. The forced rest period must be compensated. No further punishment shall be imposed if the injured person recovers to the point where he is able to walk again, even if it is still with the aid of a staff.

If a male or a female slave is struck so hard by the owner that he or she dies, the owner shall be punished (Exo 21:20-21). He has taken someone’s life away, and doesn’t have the right to do that. If the slave does not die immediately, no vengeance shall be taken. His punishment is the loss of his slave and thus his service. The Christian master is expected not to strike his slave. He is told that he must refrain from even the threat (Eph 6:9; cf. Job 31:13-15).

The pregnant woman may be wife of one of the fighting men who wants to interfere (Exo 21:22). She gets a blow and as a result she gives birth prematurely. The man who caused this must be fined, which is determined by the woman’s husband and ratified by the judges.

However, if fatal injuries are inflicted (Exo 21:23), either on the woman or on the child, the death penalty should be applied. We see here that the killing of unborn life – in our days: abortion – is judged by God as the infliction of fatal injury, to which the death penalty must be applied.

From a spiritual point of view, a quarrel can lead to nipping a young spiritual life in the bud. How much mental damage there is already in young believers caused by quarrels between adult believers!

The rule “life for life” (Exo 21:23) is further elaborated (Exo 21:24-25). Here we find the essence of the law: get what you did. That is a perfectly just principle. If God had acted according to the principle of “life for life” with a view to the death of His Son, He would have wiped out the world. But it is precisely at the time of the greatest crime that the Lord Jesus prays: “Father, forgive them” (Lk 23:34a).

The Lord Jesus also refers to the law of retribution, but makes it deeper: “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” (Mt 5:38-39). What the law demands is always just. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with “eye for eye” and “tooth for tooth”. It should be noted, however, that this should be applied by the competent court and not in the context of personal retaliation.

The disciples as faithful Jews have heard of the law of retribution, but grace goes much further. The Lord points this out with the words “but I say to you”. In what He says, He shows the spirit in which His disciples should act, as He did perfectly. It means that we do not defend ourselves against an angry neighbor, and that we do not let ourselves be humiliated just a little, but deeply.

The foregoing refers to situations in which we are wronged. Then, following the example of the Lord Jesus, we are expected to have that mind. If, however, we have done wrong ourselves, we will have to take into account that we will somehow receive back the injustice we have done (Col 3:25; Gal 6:8).

God also provides the rights of slaves (Exo 21:26-27). If the owner touches the eye or tooth of a slave in such a way that it can no longer be used, the owner must release the slave. The owner therefore misses the slave’s commitment and has to replace it, which costs money. The slave is a bit better off. He has his freedom back. But he is also handicapped. His eyesight is limited, and eating food is no longer as easy as it used to be.

Bodily Injury Caused by an Animal

If an ox kills someone, it must be killed. The animal killed for this reason should not be used as food because it must be considered unclean by its atrocity. The owner is not liable. He did not suspect that the animal would do this.

The owner is liable in case it is known that the animal is dangerous. If he does not guard the animal and it kills someone, the animal must be killed and the owner also. A possibility is given to pay redemption money, as a ransom for life.

Things in our possession can cause damage to others. This can happen through things we do not expect. It can also happen because of things we do know can cause damage to others. In the latter case, we must be attentive to how we use those things. Here we can make practical and spiritual applications for ourselves, for example: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way” (Rom 14:13). And: “But food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak” (1Cor 8:8-9).

The amount mentioned in Exo 21:32 is also the price at which the Son of God in the form of a Slave is valued (Mt 26:14-15).

Injuries Inflicted on an Animal

Damage caused to the property of another person must be compensated. In case the damage cannot be repaired, an arrangement will be made.

All these events take place in the midst of God’s people. And what has happened to them has happened to them “as examples for us” (1Cor 10:6 ; 11). It is therefore permissible to assume that in all cases a spiritual application can be made. In one case this is obvious, in the other case this is not that obvious. It is important that an application is not based on fantasy, but on a truth expressed in the New Testament.

When it comes to our possessions, we can think of everything that has been entrusted to us physically and spiritually. How do we deal with our money, our possessions, our capacities? Do we use it to bless or to harm others? If we have caused material or mental harm to others, how do we compensate them? Material damage, too, cannot always be compensated with a sum of money alone.

In general, the teaching of this chapter is that we must be vigilant that evil has no chance of manifesting itself within us. If we have done any kind of harm, we must be prepared to pay compensation. It is about an attitude that we do not want anyone else to suffer through us, either materially or spiritually.