Tuesday – Pentateuch

Reading – Deuteronomy 19-20

Highlight Verse:

“You must show no pity for the guilty! Your rule should be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭19‬:‭21‬ ‭NLT‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

You may have heard it said that “Eye for eye and tooth for tooth would leave everyone toothless and blind.”

That’s probably true, but that does not mean that we should ignore justice in this world.

While we must personally forgive all who have done us wrong, that does not mean that there should not be consequences for their actions.

Ignoring justice in would leave at least half of us toothless and blind and the other half lost in their depravity.

That would lead to a breakdown in society.

For instance, in cities where shoplifting has been ignored, many retailers have left leaving what has become known as shopping deserts.

When people can wreak havoc without consequences, societal destruction results.

In light of the new covenant that we have with God through the sacrifice of Jesus, we should be seeking justice but not vengeance.

Likewise, if we do harm to others, we should expect to pay the price here on Earth, even while our heavenly home is assured through forgiveness if we confess and repent.

You can argue about appropriate punishment and the death penalty all you like.

The bottom line is, for civilization to work, there must be an effective system of justice.

Have you had justice served to you? Did it ultimately help you or harm you?
If you have been wronged, have you been able to reconcile personal forgiveness and justice?