Right after giving the Ten Commandments, God gives laws that will guide and govern this nation of Israelites beginning in Exodus 21. They are laws to govern Hebrew servants, personal injuries from people or animals or to people or animals. I couldn’t help but think as I read them that God was concerned with both parties involved.

That got me thinking about laws in general. I’ve read that centuries ago, if a child stole a loaf of bread his hand could be cut off. I Googled and found: The authorities in the province of Mazandaran, northern Iran, have amputated the hand of a man charged with theft…in October of 2019. That same country is in turmoil today because the morality police arrested a woman for wearing her mandatory head covering too loosely. She died in custody. How many outdated laws in each of our countries are still “on the books”? How many laws are fair to all parties?

When I think about laws and everyone today or the over 2 million Israelites in Exodus 21, I quickly feel so small, like a very small cog. How can anyone grasp the complexity of so many humans living together? If you were in charge, what laws would you give? Have you ever considered that question? I have this morning. I felt overwhelmed and took it to God in prayer. His answer? Don’t be afraid to question what is too big to understand. You feel so small and rightly so. You were never tasked with understanding everything. Trust me to lead you gently. I will lead your heart to grasp my love.

Reading in Hearing God by Dallas Willard this morning, it couldn’t have been more timely. Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. Mark 3:1-4. In Willard’s commentary: Meditate: Read Mark 3:1-5. Consider the synagogue folks (primarily Pharisees) who could not automatically want someone healed (love, compassion), but who could automatically want someone dead (judgment, contempt). What causes religious people to be so disconnected with the heart of God? What heart attitudes must be missing? Plead for them. The interesting thing is Jesus’s question: Which is lawful on the Sabbath…to do good (heal a man’s hand) or to do evil (look for ways to kill a man healing on the Sabbath). He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. v. 5-6. This Scripture is beautifully portrayed in The Chosen.

We can easily read verses in Exodus 21 that call for someone to be put to death, or for an animal to be put to death and wonder why God is so harsh. In the commentary below: The “eye for eye” rule was instituted as a guide for judges, not as a rule for personal relationships or to justify revenge. This rule made the punishment fit the crime, thereby preventing the cruel and barbaric punishments that characterized many ancient countries. Jesus used this principle to teach us not to retaliate (Matthew 5:38-48). Punishment not so ancient apparently.

If we lived alone on an island there would be no need for laws. We don’t and God knew there would be need for laws to govern human behavior, good and bad, just as we need laws today.

There are many who believe that everyone evil will burn in hell for eternity. Jesus was deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts and healed a man, restoring him to a productive life. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9.

The question of Jesus remains…Is it lawful to to good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8. My mind may explode with the implications of laws that can govern billions of people through all time; but I can do this…I can take His hand and walk humbly with Him and let Him gently teach me His truth…God is love and He loves and cares for us despite our stubborn hearts. Lets be honest. The Pharisees were not the only ones with stubborn hearts. Mine is too. That’s why I need Him.