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Daily Devotions

Exodus

Exodus 
Day 
Day 171

"Remember the Law of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." Malachi 4:4

Text: Exodu 21 : 18-19

OTHER TYPES OF PENALTIES

Crimes must ever suffer penalties! Criminals must be brought to justice. But not all types of criminal acts deserve the capital punishment.

“If men contend with each other, and one strikes the other
with a stone or with his fist, and he does not die, but is confined
to his bed, if he rises again and walks about outside with
his staff, then he who struck him shall be acquitted. He shall
only pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for him
to be thoroughly healed.”
EXODUS 21:18-19

1. No death occurred

The above text discusses the issue of a fight where no one died, even though great physical violence was used! The death penalty does not apply here

2. Serious injury

Fights can result in serious injury! The injured person may end up being confined to his bed! The person who caused the severe injury is held responsible for the outcome of the fight! If a person is so seriously injured, then it is likely that excessive force was employed!

a) Payment for loss of time
The injured person would have lost some time at work. He must be compensated for the loss of income because he was too ill to work!
b) Medical bills
The injured man would of course need medical attention. He may charge his bill to the person who caused such injuries to be sustained! Whatever it takes to be “thoroughly healed”- the person who caused the injury is held fully responsible!

GREAT LAWS

These were great laws for Israel! A number of things are safeguarded through these laws:-

1. The rich and the powerful cannot abuse the law

Often times, the poor are victims of the rich and powerful. The laws that God gave Israel ensured that the rich would be brought to justice if they abused the poor! No one was above the law.

2. The poor will see justice done

The poor need not be afraid of the powerful. One law applies to all! Justice would be served! God’s laws provided for justice to be upheld!