Scripture: “You shall not murder.”
Exodus 20:13 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, this fifth of the Ten Commandments is the first of the six commandments that address our relationship with fellow humans. Along with the fourth, it presents a positive directive rather than a prohibition. Additionally, it carries a unique significance as it is the only commandment that extends a blessing: long life in the land.
Today’s reading is the sixth commandment: You shall not murder. Its ethical prohibition rests on the sanctity of human life as image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:26–27 9:6). More to be said below.
Takeaway: While the Hebrew language possesses seven words for killing, the word used here (rāṣaḥ) appears forty-seven times in the Old Testament. It carries the weight of the premeditated murder of fellow humans. Hence, this command does not apply to:
- beasts (Genesis 9:3),
- defending one’s home from night-time burglars (Exodus 22:2),
- accidental killings (Deuteronomy 19:5),
- the execution of murderers by the state (Genesis 9:6), or
- involvement with one’s nation in war to preserve life, as illustrated by Israel’s history.
In sum, as theologian Walter Harrelson contends in his book, The Ten Commandments for Today, “the sixth commandment stakes out the claim of God over all life and serves notice to all human beings—but especially those who claim the biblical heritage as binding upon them—that God’s claim upon life is to be given priority in the decisions taken by a community of its individual members.”
Our takeaway? While the sixth commandment addresses our actions, Jesus is concerned about transforming our souls—not the superficial observance of the law. So he ups the ante: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22a ESV).
Is this a bit extreme and impossible to attain? Yes, if we lack an understanding of the depth of our sins and the insurmountable extent of Christ’s grace. As for our sin-diseased hearts, ten chapters later, he elaborates: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person”(Matthew 15:19-20a ESV). Thus, we can glean from this second teaching that no one murders without first harboring bitterness toward another person. If left unchecked, our seeds of vexation will sprout into feelings of rage that can drive us toward murderous thoughts—even resulting in acting out in one form or another.
Our part? Trust in the sufficient grace of the Christ, who faced temptation in every respect as we, yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). Accordingly, as the writer of Hebrews adds, we can confidently draw near to his throne of grace and receive his mercy and grace to help in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). As we do, his Holy Spirit will expose our seeds of self-destructive anger and lead us toward forgiving ourselves and our enemies. And thus, we will uphold the intent of the sixth commandment: the sanctity of life.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for giving us your Son and Holy Spirit, who, respectively, provided the means and the way toward transforming our souls as your image-bearers of grace. Please help us trust in the salvific work of your Son and rely on the sanctifying work of your Holy Spirit to uphold the sanctity of life by forgiving ourselves and others. Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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