“If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; let no one help him.” Proverbs 28:17
Devotional Thought For The Day
There is no question that the sin of murder, and the consequences of such sin, is being described. In regard to such sin one commentator wrote: “He who either slays the innocent, or procures his destruction, may flee to hide himself: but let none give him protection. The law demands his life, because he is a murderer; and let none deprive justice of its claim. Murder is the most horrid crime in the sight of God and man; it scarcely ever goes unpunished, and is universally execrated.” Another commentator adds some clarification: “The case of willful murder, not the lesser crime of manslaughter for which the cities of refuge were appointed. One, with that guilt on his soul, is simply hasting on to his own destruction. Those who see him must simply stand aloof, and let God’s judgments fulfill themselves.” Two other tidbits of wisdom to consider: “The doom of the shedder of blood. He that has committed murder, though he flees for his life, shall be continually haunted with terrors, shall himself flee to the pit, betray himself, and torment himself . . . Those that acquit the murderer, or do any thing to help him off, become sharers in the guilt of blood; nor can the land be purged from blood but by the blood of him that shed it [Num. 35:33].”
There is little mercy or compassion expressed toward those who commit murder. We remind ourselves that this does not refer to acts committed in a just war, nor to the work of a lawful executioner. Scripture is clear in presenting the principles of just war, not wars of aggression or greed, but wars that protect the lives of innocent people and preserve a nation’s existence. Likewise, there were a number of sins for which capital punishment was the consequence in the Mosaic Law recorded in Holy Scripture, and the executioner who carries out the verdict is never considered a murderer. He is actually performing a very difficult and painful job on behalf of the community and justice. What is forbidden is for people to take the life of another human being outside of the duly constituted authority, to shed innocent blood, killing when the victim has done nothing to warrant destruction. What the commentator wrote is surely the truth: “Murder is the most horrid crime in the sight of God and man.” And the instruction in this proverb is to let justice take its proper course, to not intervene in the inexorable consequences imposed upon a murderer.
Still, this proverb takes place in a context, that of Holy Scripture. The first major “crime” recorded in Holy Scripture was murder, Cain’s murder of Abel [Gen. 4]. The consequence was not immediate death for Cain even though the murder appears to be premeditated; God spared him though the punishment was grievous [Gen. 4:10-16]. Likewise, Moses committed murder [Ex. 2:11,12], yet God spared him, though he was banished for years away from God’s people in the wilderness of Midian. And of course we know how God subsequently utilized Moses for the deliverance of His people. David also committed premeditated and pernicious murder in the matter of Uriah the Hittite [2 Sam. 11:15], yet God did not impose death upon him, but allowed him to live, father children, rule over Israel, and generally prosper, though there were consequences. All of these men experienced the truth of this proverb, all the more poignantly and painfully as they lived more fully in the love, mercy, and compassion of God. How their consciences must have burned at night, and how tearful must their prayers have been as they wrestled to retain knowledge of God’s gracious love and to hold on to His merciful forgiveness. They truly were heroes of faith.
So the proverb warns us against the sin of murder, and also of standing in the way of justice in regard to a murderer. Our governing authorities do still try to impose justice in the case of murder, except for the brutal horrors of abortion. And Scripture warns that such blood will be required of those who shed it, including all who are complicit in the process. Lord, have mercy! And we recall the words of Jesus, that even anger brings the guilt of murder [Matt. 5:22] and also hatred [1 Jn. 3:15]. So we all have our own sorrows in repenting of our murderous thoughts and desires, and these should be deeply poignant to us! And in the terror of recognizing our guilt, we too must follow Moses and David in holding tightly to the grace and mercy of God in Christ Jesus, Whose blood cleanses us from all sin. [1 Jn. 1:7] This remains the good and gracious will of God, that all come to repentance and salvation, and knowledge of the truth of His mercy, forgiveness, and love. And if ever we know a repentant murderer, we should surely pray that God’s grace and mercy will strengthen and sustain him in true faith to the next life. But let all take care to note the dire consequences and difficulties that ensue from violence against the innocent. Lord, have mercy!
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, You were a victim of vicious and violent murder, and frequently experienced the hatred of others. You suffered this in our place, to make atonement for our sins and to redeem us back to God. Forgive all our sins that make us guilty of murder, and keep us from despair. Help us to heed the warnings of Your Word against all such hatred and violence, that others around us be safe, and that we be preserved from the terrors and horrors and guilt of the murderous. Protect us also from those who would do us harm. Amen.