Exodus 21:18-19 “If people quarrel and one person hits another with a stone or with their fist and the victim does not die but is confined to bed, 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.
The legalese of these verses are used to set up the analogy used in the New Testament of being a slave for Christ. The series of penalties and punishments, commentary asserts, sets up that slaves are both people and property belonging to their master.
Exodus 21:20-21 “Anyone who beats their male or female slave with a rod must be punished if the slave dies as a direct result, but they are not to be punished if the slave recovers after a day or two, since the slave is their property.
I truly struggle both with the legalese–which ignores the relationship, and the cultural reference of slavery, which ignores the humanity. And, honestly, at this stage in my faith journey, I think God is glad that I’ve identified where and why I’m struggling instead of shocked that I won’t just accept what “the experts” have told me. He knows my goal is a closer relationship with Him. That’s His goal, too.
Exodus 21:22 “If people are fighting and 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.
Precious Savior, Thank You for my faith journey, for the fact that I am beginning to be able to articulate what bothers me and why, so I know where and how to dig in to move past it. Thank You that You want relationship with me as badly as I want relationship with You. Help me draw closer every day. Amen.
Exodus 21:23-25 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
Have a blessed day.