Rightly Dividing; An eye for an eye or Living Peacrably

[yort]

There will be five comparisons I will deal with in this series of Rightly Dividing. The first one will deal with the responsibility each of us has when dealing with others, especially under adverse conditions. The law said the Jews were to respond in a spirit of vengeance with an "eye for an eye." On the other hand, the Lord said,"turn the other check." Paul instructed one to "live peaceably." The comparison will ultimately reveal God's instruction to the Christian living during the Church Age without ignoring or spiritualizing the other teachings. In other words, each passage will be interpreted in a literal context.

The first instruction period discussed covers the period under the law, in Exodus chapter 21.

" Law"-(KJB) Exodus 21:23-25
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, [24] Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, [25] Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

In the previous chapter Exodus 20, God gave the ten commandments to the Jews. The law clear prescribed what punishment to give for each sin. The law required not only the punishment of an eye for an eye but also a "life for life." The death penalty was also imposed for many other infractions under the law. One could be stoned to death under the law for:
* Gathering sticks on the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36)
* Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:11-14)
* Serving other gods ( Deuteronomy 13:6-10)
* Being a disobedient, unrepentant child (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

One need only imagine for a moment the Sharp decline in the average life expectancy in the United States & around the world if God imposed the same penalties for the same infractions on everyone today. The Lord Jesus Christ put an end to many of the punishments required under the law. He clearly restates God's position in the next passage.

"Gospels" (KJB) Matthew 5:38-39
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: [39] But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

The example from Matt 5 shows the Lord quoting the law (Exodus 21). He then gives God's new plan & direction. Although man has no business attempting to change God's law or His word, God can & has done so here as well as in other places (Jeremiah 36:32)!

One should take note of the ramifications of this change. The Lord changed the "eye for eye" punishment. Although capital punishment did not end (Romans 13:4), other legal courses did. Jesus (God) remained the same, but His dealings with man changed drastically!

Obviously, these two response to an Ft or sin, eye for an eye versus turning the cheek, are not identical. Nor are they compatible. The Lord Jesus Christ preached kingdom/readiness doctrine, which gave the rule of law effective during His kingdom. The Lord told pilate that " now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). It was not NOW, but would be later.

These two time periods-under the law(Exodus) & in the kingdom (Matthew)-vary greatly from Paul's definitive writings to the church. What is the building principal today during the church age? Do you take an eye for every eye........do you turn the cheek......or do you follow Paul? Paul says, (KJB)1 Corinthians 11:1
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. For example:

church (KJB) Romans 12:17-18
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. [18] If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

We are no longer authorized or permitted to take an eye for an eye. We are to live peaceably. Yet we are not required to turn the other cheek every time either; we are to live peaceably if it be possible. Putting it simple: Turn the other cheek of you can, but you are under no obligation to do so under every circumstance. Thus, God lows self-defence during the Church Age.

Paul instructs us that we are to live peaceably using everything that lies within us to do so-if it be possible! The Spirit of God lies within every believer. If a person submits to the leading of the Holy Spirit, he or she will be able to live peaceably in most instances....but not always. Sometimes it simply will not be possible! We should praise God for not leaving us as helpless sheep in a ravenous world (Matthew 10:16)

You may wonder what this difference in standards might mean to you practically. The primary issue is whether you have the right to take an eye for an eye, or if you are required to then the cheek in each & every case. Consider this: I might be able to live peaceably with a person who is hurting me, but not one who is hurting my wife or children. Futhermore, I am duty bound to provide protection for my family (1 Timothy 5:8). Therefore, I may not Always be able to find it possible to turn the other cheek.


Most Bible teachers would agree that it would be wrong to instruct Christian by the OT principles that gives them a responsibility to take an eye for an eye. However, most persons never consider that it would be equally wrong in this sin-sick world to require that everyone turn the cheek. God is allowing a lot of things today that He will not permit when He is ruling as King of Kings & requiring everyone to turn the cheek. We need to Rightly Divide the Bible to know & obey the commands God has given to us.

Realizing that God does not always require a Christian to turn the cheek may encourage some readers to conclude they may do as they please. This conclusion is flawed. When you are willing to take the wrong done against you (1 Corinthians 6:7), you reflect your spiritual maturity. People who are lacking spiritual maturity will frequently respond in a carnal, vengeful way to those who have wrong them. Those who live trusting that God can & will take care of them will have a greater desire to live peaceably with others.

Look for part 2 of Rightly Dividing;
Giving Unreservedly to others or Requiring to Work or Responsibility of Others.

Remember; (KJB) 2 Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Jesus Loves You

 

[just-a-servant]

Brother Yort,

I believe what you are trying to do here is teach us a little something based on your own interpretation of the scripture. May I suggest you return to your exegesis and re-think your position. I've found many errors in your writing you may want to re-examine.

There will be five comparisons I will deal with in this series of Rightly Dividing. The first one will deal with the responsibility each of us has when dealing with others, especially under adverse conditions. The law said the Jews were to respond in a spirit of vengeance with an "eye for an eye." On the other hand, the Lord said,"turn the other check." Paul instructed one to "live peaceably." The comparison will ultimately reveal God's instruction to the Christian living during the Church Age without ignoring or spiritualizing the other teachings. In other words, each passage will be interpreted in a literal context.

This is just probably your opinion, I don't see in the scripture anything saying the "Jews were to respond in a spirit of vengeance." Since the premise of your argument is false, any conclusion following is also false. There may be some truth in your statement, but there also was some truth to the statement the serpent made to Eve in the Garden of Eden. Be careful when you teach that ALL your statements are true or you won't like the result. You also say, "...each passage will be interpreted in a literal context." The key here is context; let me explain:

The first instruction period discussed covers the period under the law, in Exodus chapter 21.

" Law"-(KJB) Exodus 21:23-25
And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, [24] Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, [25] Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

The verse immediately preceding this reference is:
Exodus 21:22 "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely 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 . . . "

The importance of this is they were talking about hitting a pregnant lady and what would be the punishment for that, not a generic eye for eye, tooth for tooth punishment for all wrongdoing. Reading scripture in context is so important.

In the previous chapter Exodus 20, God gave the ten commandments to the Jews. The law clear prescribed what punishment to give for each sin. The law required not only the punishment of an eye for an eye but also a "life for life." The death penalty was also imposed for many other infractions under the law. One could be stoned to death under the law for:
* Gathering sticks on the Sabbath (Numbers 15:32-36)
* Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:11-14)
* Serving other gods ( Deuteronomy 13:6-10)
* Being a disobedient, unrepentant child (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

Exodus 20 contains the 10 Commandments, not the punishments for breaking them. The punishments were discussed in other books and chapters. If you will understand, the punishment of stoning above were not for the "crimes" you have listed. You've missed the point. Gathering sticks on the Sabbath was not the crime, failing to keep the Sabbath Holy was. Blasphemy was not the crime, taking the lord's name in vain was. Serving other God's was not the crime, having another God before Him was. Being a disobedient child again was not the crime, failing to honor father and mother was. All four you listed were "crimes" for having broken one of the Ten Commandments.

"Gospels" (KJB) Matthew 5:38-39
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: [39] But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

The example from Matt 5 shows the Lord quoting the law (Exodus 21). He then gives God's new plan & direction. Although man has no business attempting to change God's law or His word, God can & has done so here as well as in other places (Jeremiah 36:32)!

The references you've cited here don't make a lot of sense, Exodus 21 is not the Law, it's a list of punishments. Jeremiah 36:32 is a description of what he and the scribe Baruch did after Jehoiakim the King burned a scroll in the fire. I don't see how it relates to God changing His mind and I'm not certain, but I don't recall any instance where God changed his Law either.

The Lord told pilate that " now is my kingdom not from hence" (John 18:36). It was not NOW, but would be later.

Just a minor critique, but Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place." Quoting scripture correctly makes it say something different than what you wrote. You may believe it means what you said, but does it?

As for your remaining post writing: Paul preached the same gospel as Jesus and the other apostles. They were unified in their message. He didn't teach a different "live peaceably" doctrine as you suggest. It was one in the same and harmonizes perfectly with all the other scriptures.

I'm not going to go into the other parts of your post, it would take up too much room and time. I think you'll get the drift of what I'm saying. Keep studying, but remember if you're going to teach, make sure you're on solid footing.

With love, and in His name,
just-a-servant