“If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime, the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the Lord before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time. The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you. The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you. Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.” (v16-21)
So, do you have a sudden urge to go poke out some eyes and knock out some teeth? If so, I’m sorry to disappoint you, but this passage, combined with the following passage, make it clear we need to be cautious about this.
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:38-45)
Based on the contexts Jesus is not completely discounting the OT passage. He is not saying that we should allow evil to persist, nor is He saying we should be doormats and let people abuse us. He actually agrees that evil must be dealt with definitively and should absolutely be purged (see Mt 5:29-30).
What Jesus is saying in Mt 5:38-45 is an anti-revenge message. It would seem that many people (both back then and still to this day) use the “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” passage as justification for revenge (I’m not bashing him whatsoever, just simply pointing out, no matter what his motives, even President Trump has used that phrase to justify his actions).
Jesus is making a distinction between dealing with sin / evil, and justifying one’s own evil actions against another using scripture. Jesus / God take horrible offense to people abusing / twisting Their words, using them for their own evil / selfish justification (possibly because Satan has made a career out of twisting God’s words for his own evil purposes).
My challenge for us today (myself included) to examine how we’re using scripture, laws, rules, guidelines, etc. Are we using them as they were intended, for righteous justice, equity, edification, and fair treatment of others (ie. loving our neighbor and enemy)? Or, are we using these tools in some twisted way to further our own agendas and justify our actions (ie. hate our neighbor and enemy). Let’s pray for wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit to guide how we use the tools and resources God has entrusted to us.
Father God, our Lord and King, holy is Your name. We come before You humbled by Your awesome power and wisdom, and seek Your counsel. Spirit please open our eyes to any ways in which we have misused Your words and provisions. Father please forgive us our sin and guide us on a righteous path, a path of loving others and encouraging them using Your provisions. Please help us to use Your words and commands to build up Your kingdom, which is Your people, rather than tear them down. Jesus, please show us the way, for we are blind without Your light. In Your precious name we ask this, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training