God Shows His Heart [Exodus 21]

22"If men struggle with each other and strike a woman with child so that she gives birth prematurely, yet there is no injury, he shall surely be fined as the woman's husband may demand of him, and he shall pay as the judges decide.

 23"But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life,

 24eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

 25burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

 

In this chapter God does not mention Himself but He does show His heart.  He laid out His heart of compassion for the results of sin.  He understands the pain and the hurt that sin, either intentional or unintentional, causes His people and He set a plan for recompense.  His heart is that His people would reconcile and live together in community.  In the chapters to come He will continue to lay out detailed responses for hurtful situations.  Later, when He sends His Son, the law of love will be set fully in motion as He Himself becomes the recompense.  But until then, the holy God gave the law to tutor them to see His character and to draw them to salvation which would come in Jesus.  (Gal. 3:23-24)

 

We praise You God for Your heart of compassion.  You understand the pain that sin has caused Your people.  Thank You for displaying Your mercy by sending Christ to bear the full brunt of our sin.  Jesus, You suffered in my place, and I am eternally grateful for Your sacrifice.  Jesus, cause us to believe that You paid for it all, a thousand times over.

Verna McCrillis, 5/12/2010