“An Eye for an Eye” and the Sanctity of Life

While Christians generally recognize the biblical mandate of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” as part of the Old Testament Law, I suspect that most do not normally identify it with its original context—the sanctity of life, specifically that of a pregnant woman and her unborn fetus. I for one was recently surprised to read the following from Exodus (coincidently, the day after Sanctity of Life Sunday):

²² “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. ²³ But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. (Exod 21:22-25 ESV)

How remarkable that this first mandate from God of proportionate retribution of an eye for eye is in the specific context of injury to a pregnant woman and/or her fetus from men who are engaged in a brawl. If she and/or her fetus are harmed (through premature birth or a miscarriage), God demands punishment of “life for life, eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, etc.” Notice that there is no restriction on this penalty—such as, only to late term pregnancies or in cases in which the baby was determined to have no major birth defects!

The interpretive challenges of these verses notwithstanding (see any number of good commentaries for details), the message is clear—God values the lives of both the mother and the unborn child. The life in the mother’s womb is of equal value to the life of the mother. This, of course, is because God is the ultimate author of all life.  Moreover, the innate worth of each human being (born or unborn) is grounded in the fact that they are created in the image of God (Gen 9:6). The continuing devaluation of human life in our society through the shameful atrocity of abortion (as well as growing receptivity towards euthanasia) stands as a direct affront to the Creator of life. The life of the unborn is precious to God and the taking of that life through abortion is sin in the eyes of the righteous Judge before whom all will one day stand.

Interestingly, as detailed in Douglas Stuart’s commentary on Exodus (NAC, 2006), the attitude expressed toward the value of an unborn fetus varied throughout Ancient Near East (ANE) cultures as evidenced by ANE law codes—with some (e.g., the Middle Assyrian Laws) actually requiring the exchange of a life for the loss of the life of a fetus. Others, such as the Babylonian Hammurabi’s Law, imposed a fine of ten shekels for the loss of a fetus. Remarkably, the pagan Babylonians placed more value on the life of a fetus than the laws of most countries do today!  For the God of Israel every life in the womb was precious and anyone who caused harm or death to that little one was to be punished—an eye for an eye.

Several additional remarks are warranted. First, the above comments should in no way be understood as promoting or justifying individual acts of violence on abortion clinics or physical assaults on abortionists. Such acts are to be categorically condemned.  The OT law of retribution or lex talionis, which was intended to impose proportionate penalty for physical injury, was part of Israel’s legal system for the nation (notice the involvement of a judge, v. 22). It was not intended to encourage vigilante justice. The fact that the law of our land does not value the life of the unborn does not justify individual acts of retribution. Remember that the responsibility of protecting life and the enactment of capital punishment, when necessary to do so, have been given to government (Rom 13:4), not individuals.

Finally, I would be amiss when dealing with such an emotionally charged topic to not proclaim the message of forgiveness that is offered through Christ to any who have had, performed, or encouraged abortions. The wonderful message of the gospel is that Christ’s death on the cross accomplished the just retribution for our sins—all of them. Through personal faith in Christ and Christ alone one need not fear “an eye for an eye,” even in regard to violations of God’s law on the sanctity of life.

 

The Sacrifice of Christmas

“Good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10)

For most of us here in America, Christmas is a season associated with great joy and happiness, a time to enjoy the comforts of home and family. But have you ever thought how different the very first Christmas was? For Joseph and Mary, that Christmas included some experiences that were not joyous or comfortable.

For them Christmas was about sacrifice, and sacrifice they did. They sacrificed socially. This is one of the reasons the young couple were so troubled by the angel’s announcement that Mary was with child miraculously. Betrothal was a serious social observance, much more serious than our custom of engagement before marriage. The culture, and most of the laws of the ancient world, would require a husband to publicly repudiate his wife through divorce if she was found to be with child during the betrothal period. Only then could he retain his honor and recover the “bride price” he had paid to the family when the betrothal was contracted. To marry her would be to admit promiscuity and would validate all the circulating rumors.

They would sacrifice physically. The discomforts of a long and arduous journey on the back of an animal, in the last days before delivery, are difficult to exaggerate. The aged prophet predicted that many years later, Mary would experience intense pangs of grief as she beheld the sufferings of her son (Luke 2:35).

They would also sacrifice spiritually. Instead of living a quiet, peaceful village life, what God was asking Joseph and Mary to do would place them at center stage in the greatest drama of human history.

All of this is what makes their responses so amazing. Mary responded, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to Your Word” (Luke 1:38). Joseph, “. . .did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. He took his wife” (Matt. 1:24). Craig Keener wrote, “Through the willing sacrifice of these exemplary human servants, God brought salvation to the world.”

God is still calling His servants, people like you and me, to sacrifice in ways large and small so that others might hear the “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Let’s enjoy all the joys that Christmas brings to us. And when God leads us to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel, let’s do so with joy – knowing that through people like us, God is saving the world.

Rest from the Christmas Rush

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son. . .” (Gal. 4:4).

I don’t know about you, but for me the words “Christmas” and “rush” are too often synonymous. The “rush” part is no doubt the evidence of procrastination and poor planning. I begin the season with the best of intentions, but before I know it the schedule just seems out of control. Balls get dropped. Deadlines are missed. Good intentions remain unfulfilled. (This may explain the New Year’s Resolutions tradition!)

I guess that’s why I find Galatians 4:4 such a comfort at this time of year. When it came to providing a Savior for sinners like me, God didn’t miss any deadlines. He didn’t procrastinate or fail to plan. He wasn’t one second late.

Reflect with me for a moment on just how our sovereign God had been working so that human history had reached a state of “fullness,” the climactic time for Jesus to take the stage in the drama of redemption:

1. God used the Jews to provide the Old Testament law so that every person could see their guilt and need of a Savior;

2. God used the Jewish synagogues throughout the world to strategically proclaim monotheism;

3. God used the Greeks to provide a common language so the whole world could hear the gospel;

4. God used the Romans to provide roads and a political peace, making possible safe and efficient travel for gospel preachers.

Just think of it! God was working sovereignty in history, causing dynasties to rise and fall, so that you might come to know the only true King, Jesus Christ – and to know Him so intimately that you can call Him, “Abba” (“Daddy”).

Now, there’s a thought that can transform a frantic rush into a holy hush. I pray that it transforms yours.

Praying that we all keep Christ at the center of our Christmas.