_These are the Judgments._ THE JUDGMENTS These judgments stood related to the second table of the Law, just as the regulations concerning the worship of the altar stood related to the first. It is to be remembered also that these “judgments,” and those of the same kind which afterward were added as... [ Continue Reading ]
_If thou buy an Hebrew servant._ SLAVERY AND SOVEREIGNTY These judgments of God are the declarations of human rights. I. These judgments dealt with an existing institution. The circumstances under which an Hebrew might be reduced to servitude were-- 1. Poverty. 2. The commission of theft. 3. T... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man sell his daughter to be a maidservant._ DEGRADED CONDITION OF GIRLS IN AFRICA The condition of girls in Africa is thus described by a missionary: “A father looks upon his girl as being of the value only of so many goats, and he is ready to sell her as soon as any man offers him the requir... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shall be surely put to death._ CASES OF HOMICIDE I. Homicide in effect. “He that hateth his brother is a murderer.” Anger in the heart gives unconscious malicious power to the will. The man is responsible for the effects of his anger, even though these effects are more disastrous than he intended... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that smiteth his father._ GOD’S INDIGNATION AGAINST THE UNFILIAL SPIRIT I. The unfilial spirit in two aspects. 1. He that smiteth his father or his mother. (1) A child may smite his parent literally, as in the case of those brutes we read of in the newspapers every week. (2) A child may smi... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that stealeth a man._ ABOUT KIDNAPPING The same law is repeated in Deuteronomy 24:7; from which passage it is evident that it treats of kidnapping a _Hebrew. _And thus the severity of the punishment, death, without the possibility of redemption, cannot appear surprising. For all Israelites are... [ Continue Reading ]
_If men strive together._ LESSONS 1. Passions and contentions breed many sad events among neighbours. 2. Smitings, and wounds, and sickness, and death are usual effects of sudden passions. 3. In case it proceed not to death, God will not suffer injuries unpunished by men. 4. Not only the death,... [ Continue Reading ]
_If a man smite his servant._ MASTERS AND SERVANTS 1. It is supposed that masters in the Church of God may be cruel in correcting servants, but it is sin. 2. It is possible that death may follow upon such cruel smiting. 3. In such case the life of the vilest slaves is precious with God, and He r... [ Continue Reading ]
_Life for life._ THE CRIMINAL LAW: WAS IT WRITTEN IN BLOOD The only sense in which retaliation was authorized was as a maxim of law, which helped to fix the measure of punishment for crime. It was the mode of punishment which was at once the simplest, the most natural, and the most easily administe... [ Continue Reading ]
_If an ox gore._ GOD’S REGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF MAN AND BEAST I. God cares for the safety of man. 1. If an ox injured a man for the first time, the life of the ox only was forfeited (Exodus 21:28). But-- 2. If the owner of the ox, acquainted with the proved vicious character of his beast, neglec... [ Continue Reading ]