Exodus 21: 12-27
12 “Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death.
13 However, if it is not done intentionally, but God lets it happen, they are
to flee to a place I will designate. 14 But if anyone schemes and kills someone
deliberately, that person is to be taken from my altar and put to death. 15
“Anyone who attacks[c] their father or mother is to be put to death. 16 “Anyone
who kidnaps someone is to be put to death, whether the victim has been sold or
is still in the kidnapper’s possession. 17 “Anyone who curses their father or
mother is to be put to death.
18 “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with
their fist[d] and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, 19 the one
who struck the blow will not be held liable if the other can get up and walk
around outside with a staff; however, the guilty party must pay the injured
person for any loss of time and see that the victim is completely healed. 20
“Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the
slave dies as a direct result, 21 but they are not to be punished if the slave
recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property. 22 “If people
are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely[e] but
there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s
husband demands and the court allows. 23 But if there is serious injury, you
are to take life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot
for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. 26 “An owner
who hits a male or female slave in the eye and destroys it must let the slave
go free to compensate for the eye. 27 And an owner who knocks out the tooth of
a male or female slave must let the slave go free to compensate for the tooth.
Title: Means of
God’s Protection of Humankind
Message: God is the
fount and the protector of life. He did not only give us the Ten Commandments
to keep us from sinning but also established laws to protect each of our natural
rights and although these were given to the Israelites, it is apparent that
these served as bases for the laws we have today.
Promise to Claim: God protects us no matter
what the circumstance is, whenever and wherever we are.
Command to Obey: Refrain from causing harm
to any of our fellows. Let us not hurt our parents. Let us not curse them. Let
us not initiate quarrel and treat others gently regardless of their status in
life.
Warning to Heed: God metes
out punishment to individuals who defy any of the laws.
Application: I will
manifest love, understanding, consideration, and patience in every circumstance
and if I feel like giving in to anger or frustrations, I will pray to God and
think that it is He whom I serve and not anybody else.
