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| COMMANDMENT 6 Do not murder |
Exodus 20:13 " Thou shalt not kill." This commandment has been used
to advocate everything from protecting endangered species to
abolishing the death penalty. What does this command say about the
value of a human life and how to care for that life? One life is of great
value. How can we truly show love to others?
Adam and Eve were created to bear the spiritual and moral image of
G-d. They were created in His likeness, the word likeness in Hebrew is
demuth which refers to an appearance like another or a pattern. G-d
made us similar to Him so that we can communicate with him, know
Him, and through His righteous life at work in us, be able to reflect
who He is to others. G-d also designed for man and woman to
experience the joy, privilege, and challenge of becoming parents,
raising children who would also reflect the image of G-d in their
worship, their work, and their relationships with others. G-d designed
relationships to be marked by the oneness and love that He enjoyed
with His creation.
Adam and Eve bore two sons who grew up and began working in the
fields and with the flocks. When Cain and Abel came to worship the
L-rd, Cain did not bring the offering that G-d required. This showed
that he did not truly worship or honor G-d. Abel brought an offering of
the first born of his flock, a living sacrifice, and with it revealed his
attitude of love and respect for the L-rd. Cain became very angry and
G-d confronted him, calling him to do the right thing. Cain focused his
anger on Abel and his anger grew until he murdered his brother. This
did not occur in an accidental scuffle or fistfight. It was most likely a
brutal act. Harog the Hebrew word for "killed" points to a violent
death. He may have cut Abel's throat, because that was the method
used to kill an animal for sacrifice and the L-rd spoke of the ground's
receiving Abel's blood.
G-d questioned Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" Cain told G-d he
didn't know and asked G-d "Am I my brother's keeper?" Keeper in
Hebrew is shamar and means "to guard" or "to protect from harm." G-d
knew what Cain had done and he could have executed Cain for his
crime. Instead He made Cain an object lesson for all of mankind. He
pronounced a curse on Cain, making his farming efforts futile. Cain
showed no repentance for his sin and was condemned to wander the
earth. G-d showed mercy by marking Cain so no one would take
vengence and kill him. Cain left the presence of the L-rd. His
descendants followed in his footsteps. Five generations after Cain,
Lamech proclaimed he had killed a man for just wounding him and also
a boy.
The human race has failed to truly bear G-d's image due to the sin
nature. In Gen. 6:13 we see that the earth was so filled with violence
that G-d brought the judgement of the flood.
But G-d wasn't finished with man, nor had he given up His desire to
have relationship with His creation. He sent His Son Yeshua to die for
our sins, and His resurrection would usher in a new creation of
believers who bear the image of Yeshua. Rom. 8:28-29 tells us, "G-d
causes all things to work together for good to those who love G-d, to
those who are called according to His purpose."
G-d wanted Noah's descendants to fill the earth, giving humanity a
fresh start. Now the animals and birds would be afraid of man and
would become food for man. G-d instructed man not to eat meat with
blood in it, because life is in the blood. Animals were to be
slaughtered in a painless method and the blood drained out. A dead
animal and its blood were to be buried and not left to the open
elements. Any animal or man that killed another man was required to
be put to death. The death penalty was put into place even before the
ten commandments. This is because murder is an attack on G-d via on
G-d's image in each of us.
G-d's desire is that people demonstrate concern for other's welfare.
Gen. 9:6 clearly tells us that anyone who sheds blood, premeditated as
well as acts of sudden rage, G-d considers it sin, and their life was to
be taken in return. If a person was killed accidentally, the L-rd
promised to provide a place for the killer to flee for protection.
Example, if a homeowner struck a thief by doing so, the homeowner
was not to be held guilty of murder. In every case G-d looks at the
heart of the person.
G-d provided six cities of refuge where someone could flee after
accidentally killing another person. These cities would be a refuge
from the avenger, who was most often a relative who felt duty bound
to avenge the death of their kin. In these cities, the killer's case
would be heard by the elders, who would determine guilt or
innocence. Premeditated murder was seen as any use of force out of
hatred or any planned scheme or ambush. To ensure guilt, the deed
had to be witnessed by at least two witnesses. If found innocent they
were allowed to live safely in the city of refuge until the death of the
high priest. If the killer left the city of refuge before the death of the
current high priest, they would be slain by the avenger.
The high priest's death served symbolically as the fulfillment of the
life-for-life principle given in the Law of Moses found in Lev. 24. This
law was to limit vengeance. It also represented a life given for the
individual and the nation. G-d's mercy does not lessen the seriousness
of murder or its impact on the lives of family, friends and community.
Matt. 5:21-26 The council that Yeshua speaks of could consist of three
men in a village of 150, seven in a larger town or 23 in the largest
cities. The Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, which was like the Supreme Court,
consisted of 71 men led by the high priest. Yeshua drove home the
awareness of the attitude behind the motivation to murder. A
murderous attitude begins with anger and angry words, so someone
who is intensely angry with another has the same attitude deep inside
as that of a murderer. Yeshua focused on 3 points of guilt; the one
who is continually angry with another, this person broods and burns
constantly in the heart. This settled anger easily becomes hatred and
can lead to the desire to harm another. Second is someone who
expresses anger through words of contempt or condemnation. This
would include calling someone stupid or good for nothing etc. Such
insults show a heart in danger of the judgement of hell. Yeshua forbid
all expressions of this kind of slanderous anger.
Third point of guilt focused on inciting another to anger. If someone
had offended another, making that person angry, Yeshua commanded
the offender to set things right before going to the temple, giving an
offering, or performing any good deed. True concern for others is
shown by avoiding anger toward them and by being careful not to incur
other's anger towards yourself.
Yeshua teaches we are to guard our hearts and words for any signs of
anger, to quickly clear any offenses others have against you and to
alleviate their reasons for anger whatever the offense. Yeshua teaches
the best way to handle personal slights is not to retailiate, but to bear
with the other person. We are expected to go beyond as we surrender
to Messiah and allow His life to control and empower us. yeshua
instructs us to "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute
you." In Luke 6:27-28 He adds, "Do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Yeshua did not come simply to inform us of the love and will of G-d.
He came to transform hearts so they could experience and express the
life of G-d. Matt. 18:21-35 The rabbis of Yeshua's day taught that one
should forgive another for three repeat offenses. Peter asked if seven
times was enough. Yeshua cleared up the matter by teaching we
should forgive others an unlimited number of times. If one does not
show forgiveness from the heart, the heavenly Father will deal with
him as wicked. This is not a matter of earning forgiveness, but of
experiencing the Father's forgiveness and expressing His love by
forgiving others.
As Messiah ministered, He did not always avoid anger, but He never
displayed selfish anger. When he overturned the money changers
tables He was acting in righteous anger because they were hindering
others from coming and worshiping in His Father's House. Eph. 4:25
emphasizes that even righteous anger must be controlled, "Be angry and
yet do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger."
Yeshua's righteous anger could have brought wrath on all, but He chose
to bring grace and forgiveness. The gospels tell us that Yeshua was the
target of many who wanted to murder Him for what He taught, how He
ministered and who He was. In Mark 3:1-6 and John 5:1-18 we see they
were angry because of His healing people on the Sabbath and spoke of
being equal with the Father. John 7:14-53, shows further evidence of
their desire, thereby fitting into G-d's prearranged plan to give His Son
for the sins of the world.
In Acts 7:52 we see Stephen stoned by religious leaders when he called
them "betrayers and murders of the Righteous One." Throughout the
book of Acts we see the Apostles giving similar testimonies about
Yeshua before the high priest, the Sadducees, the Pharisees and even
the Sanhedrin. Yeshua willingly gave His life for sinful humanity. He
died to give us His life, to live His life through us. We have the
opportunity to put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive
speech. As the L-rd forgave each of us, so each of us should forgive
others. G-d's life abiding in a believer produces a lifestyle of love.
Love does not take life, but gives life.
to advocate everything from protecting endangered species to
abolishing the death penalty. What does this command say about the
value of a human life and how to care for that life? One life is of great
value. How can we truly show love to others?
Adam and Eve were created to bear the spiritual and moral image of
G-d. They were created in His likeness, the word likeness in Hebrew is
demuth which refers to an appearance like another or a pattern. G-d
made us similar to Him so that we can communicate with him, know
Him, and through His righteous life at work in us, be able to reflect
who He is to others. G-d also designed for man and woman to
experience the joy, privilege, and challenge of becoming parents,
raising children who would also reflect the image of G-d in their
worship, their work, and their relationships with others. G-d designed
relationships to be marked by the oneness and love that He enjoyed
with His creation.
Adam and Eve bore two sons who grew up and began working in the
fields and with the flocks. When Cain and Abel came to worship the
L-rd, Cain did not bring the offering that G-d required. This showed
that he did not truly worship or honor G-d. Abel brought an offering of
the first born of his flock, a living sacrifice, and with it revealed his
attitude of love and respect for the L-rd. Cain became very angry and
G-d confronted him, calling him to do the right thing. Cain focused his
anger on Abel and his anger grew until he murdered his brother. This
did not occur in an accidental scuffle or fistfight. It was most likely a
brutal act. Harog the Hebrew word for "killed" points to a violent
death. He may have cut Abel's throat, because that was the method
used to kill an animal for sacrifice and the L-rd spoke of the ground's
receiving Abel's blood.
G-d questioned Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" Cain told G-d he
didn't know and asked G-d "Am I my brother's keeper?" Keeper in
Hebrew is shamar and means "to guard" or "to protect from harm." G-d
knew what Cain had done and he could have executed Cain for his
crime. Instead He made Cain an object lesson for all of mankind. He
pronounced a curse on Cain, making his farming efforts futile. Cain
showed no repentance for his sin and was condemned to wander the
earth. G-d showed mercy by marking Cain so no one would take
vengence and kill him. Cain left the presence of the L-rd. His
descendants followed in his footsteps. Five generations after Cain,
Lamech proclaimed he had killed a man for just wounding him and also
a boy.
The human race has failed to truly bear G-d's image due to the sin
nature. In Gen. 6:13 we see that the earth was so filled with violence
that G-d brought the judgement of the flood.
But G-d wasn't finished with man, nor had he given up His desire to
have relationship with His creation. He sent His Son Yeshua to die for
our sins, and His resurrection would usher in a new creation of
believers who bear the image of Yeshua. Rom. 8:28-29 tells us, "G-d
causes all things to work together for good to those who love G-d, to
those who are called according to His purpose."
G-d wanted Noah's descendants to fill the earth, giving humanity a
fresh start. Now the animals and birds would be afraid of man and
would become food for man. G-d instructed man not to eat meat with
blood in it, because life is in the blood. Animals were to be
slaughtered in a painless method and the blood drained out. A dead
animal and its blood were to be buried and not left to the open
elements. Any animal or man that killed another man was required to
be put to death. The death penalty was put into place even before the
ten commandments. This is because murder is an attack on G-d via on
G-d's image in each of us.
G-d's desire is that people demonstrate concern for other's welfare.
Gen. 9:6 clearly tells us that anyone who sheds blood, premeditated as
well as acts of sudden rage, G-d considers it sin, and their life was to
be taken in return. If a person was killed accidentally, the L-rd
promised to provide a place for the killer to flee for protection.
Example, if a homeowner struck a thief by doing so, the homeowner
was not to be held guilty of murder. In every case G-d looks at the
heart of the person.
G-d provided six cities of refuge where someone could flee after
accidentally killing another person. These cities would be a refuge
from the avenger, who was most often a relative who felt duty bound
to avenge the death of their kin. In these cities, the killer's case
would be heard by the elders, who would determine guilt or
innocence. Premeditated murder was seen as any use of force out of
hatred or any planned scheme or ambush. To ensure guilt, the deed
had to be witnessed by at least two witnesses. If found innocent they
were allowed to live safely in the city of refuge until the death of the
high priest. If the killer left the city of refuge before the death of the
current high priest, they would be slain by the avenger.
The high priest's death served symbolically as the fulfillment of the
life-for-life principle given in the Law of Moses found in Lev. 24. This
law was to limit vengeance. It also represented a life given for the
individual and the nation. G-d's mercy does not lessen the seriousness
of murder or its impact on the lives of family, friends and community.
Matt. 5:21-26 The council that Yeshua speaks of could consist of three
men in a village of 150, seven in a larger town or 23 in the largest
cities. The Sanhedrin in Jerusalem, which was like the Supreme Court,
consisted of 71 men led by the high priest. Yeshua drove home the
awareness of the attitude behind the motivation to murder. A
murderous attitude begins with anger and angry words, so someone
who is intensely angry with another has the same attitude deep inside
as that of a murderer. Yeshua focused on 3 points of guilt; the one
who is continually angry with another, this person broods and burns
constantly in the heart. This settled anger easily becomes hatred and
can lead to the desire to harm another. Second is someone who
expresses anger through words of contempt or condemnation. This
would include calling someone stupid or good for nothing etc. Such
insults show a heart in danger of the judgement of hell. Yeshua forbid
all expressions of this kind of slanderous anger.
Third point of guilt focused on inciting another to anger. If someone
had offended another, making that person angry, Yeshua commanded
the offender to set things right before going to the temple, giving an
offering, or performing any good deed. True concern for others is
shown by avoiding anger toward them and by being careful not to incur
other's anger towards yourself.
Yeshua teaches we are to guard our hearts and words for any signs of
anger, to quickly clear any offenses others have against you and to
alleviate their reasons for anger whatever the offense. Yeshua teaches
the best way to handle personal slights is not to retailiate, but to bear
with the other person. We are expected to go beyond as we surrender
to Messiah and allow His life to control and empower us. yeshua
instructs us to "Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute
you." In Luke 6:27-28 He adds, "Do good to those who hate you, bless
those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Yeshua did not come simply to inform us of the love and will of G-d.
He came to transform hearts so they could experience and express the
life of G-d. Matt. 18:21-35 The rabbis of Yeshua's day taught that one
should forgive another for three repeat offenses. Peter asked if seven
times was enough. Yeshua cleared up the matter by teaching we
should forgive others an unlimited number of times. If one does not
show forgiveness from the heart, the heavenly Father will deal with
him as wicked. This is not a matter of earning forgiveness, but of
experiencing the Father's forgiveness and expressing His love by
forgiving others.
As Messiah ministered, He did not always avoid anger, but He never
displayed selfish anger. When he overturned the money changers
tables He was acting in righteous anger because they were hindering
others from coming and worshiping in His Father's House. Eph. 4:25
emphasizes that even righteous anger must be controlled, "Be angry and
yet do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger."
Yeshua's righteous anger could have brought wrath on all, but He chose
to bring grace and forgiveness. The gospels tell us that Yeshua was the
target of many who wanted to murder Him for what He taught, how He
ministered and who He was. In Mark 3:1-6 and John 5:1-18 we see they
were angry because of His healing people on the Sabbath and spoke of
being equal with the Father. John 7:14-53, shows further evidence of
their desire, thereby fitting into G-d's prearranged plan to give His Son
for the sins of the world.
In Acts 7:52 we see Stephen stoned by religious leaders when he called
them "betrayers and murders of the Righteous One." Throughout the
book of Acts we see the Apostles giving similar testimonies about
Yeshua before the high priest, the Sadducees, the Pharisees and even
the Sanhedrin. Yeshua willingly gave His life for sinful humanity. He
died to give us His life, to live His life through us. We have the
opportunity to put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander and abusive
speech. As the L-rd forgave each of us, so each of us should forgive
others. G-d's life abiding in a believer produces a lifestyle of love.
Love does not take life, but gives life.
Genesis 4:1-8
Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007
