This chapter contains a variety of commands regarding lamps and bread in the tabernacle, as well as some social justice issues. We’ll look at a commonly misquoted/abused passage.
“Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life. If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death. You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the Lord your God.” (v17-22)
I’m sure many of us have heard this passage quoted (or more accurately, misquoted/misused) in modern times, even by a certain unnamed president. The truth is, based on scriptural context in the OT, and additional passages in the NT, we are not supposed to take “an eye for an eye” (what most quote as a “vengeance justification”).
In the broader context, the entire book of Leviticus covers a variety of behavioral guidelines from child sacrifices to simple interpersonal disputes, from cleansing rituals to intimate relations. It’s basically a manual for Israel’s code of conduct on a broad spectrum of topics.
That being said, this current passage is an anti-vengeance guideline. Basically, if someone wrongs you, you cannot exceed that same level of wounding when punishing them. Meaning, if someone knocks out one of your teeth, the maximum you can do is knock out one of theirs – no more.
In Lev 19:9-18 there’s a whole section on loving our neighbor. I think most people would agree that taking vengeance on someone (dealing them a larger blow than they dealt you) is not being loving.
Jesus takes these two passages (Lev 24:17-22 & Lev 19:9-18) and goes one step further with them: “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. 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 5:38-48 abr)
Jesus fleshes out the anti-vengeance and loving our neighbor guidelines. “Do not exceed the level of wrong done to you” becomes “do no harm in return.” “Love your neighbor” (originally thought to only be your people) becomes “love everybody” (meaning everybody, even your enemy, is your neighbor).
For us today, we (Christ followers) need to be setting the example of Christlike love in this world. By loving everyone equally, and seeking reconciliation rather than vengeance, we can change this world, one interpersonal exchange at a time. We can be radicals for change, just as Jesus was a radical for change. If we want to see peace in our time, we need to be peacemakers. Peacemaking is a verb – it requires action. So what are we waiting for? Let’s radically love someone today, just as Jesus does.
Father God, almighty Lord, abounding in love, we come before You today. We humbly ask for Your outpouring of love into our lives, so that we may overflow with a Christlike love for others. Change our hearts from vengeance to reconciliation. Break our bonds of hatred and yoke us together with Jesus, so together we may be a force of change in this world. Spirit please lead the way, shining Your light in and through us so none will question our motives and beliefs. Make us holy ambassadors of Your love for this world. We cannot, and would not do this without You. In the radical name of Jesus I we pray, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training