May 27, 2020

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Read – Deuteronomy 19

What does it say?
God set rules concerning manslaughter, property lines, and perjury.

What does it mean?
This passage communicates the value God places on justice and civil order. “Safe” cities were placed at regular intervals to limit personal vengeance. Any citizen could put himself under the protection of the city elders until he was found either guilty or innocent. Those causing an unintentional death would thereby not be subject to the same punishment as one who premeditated murder. Similarly, God established consequences for dishonesty in court and in the community. Judges ensured that dishonest persons suffered precisely the consequences they were trying to inflict on someone else.

How should I respond?
God is just, always seeking to protect the innocent. It stands to reason that His followers should pursue justice and fairness in their role as citizens and in their personal relationships. Are you retaliating against someone, even though the harm that person caused was unintentional? How have you laid claim to something that doesn’t belong to you and, in essence, moved the boundaries? Have you led someone to believe something that isn’t true? Ask God to give you His sense of justice. Look for opportunities to stand up and protect the innocent today.|For further reading, Deuteronomy 20-25.