Thou Shalt Not Murder

“Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.” Deut. 19:13 NKJV

While we often learn this commandment as “You shall not kill” it is properly “You shall not murder”. It is a different word and words make a difference. God has not called us as individuals to be judge, jury and executioner. He has clearly reserved that right to the state and made that point clear from Genesis onward. It is all part of God’s order and when we violate God’s order things go awry.

But murder in the eyes of God goes beyond the actual shedding of innocent blood. Jesus said that hatred was like murdering someone in our heart. This makes all the more clear God’s commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves. It also clarifies the importance of God’s statement, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” If God is the true judge of all; if He is the only One who knows all the truth of a situation; then we as His children can leave off our own judgments and get about the business of love. He will take care of the rest. While God will not forget His righteous judgments He will always expect us to fulfill the righteous law of love.

Our Lord and God, Thank You that You are in charge. Amen. 

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