Rutashubanyuma
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- Sep 24, 2010
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- #1,201
Joshua 19:1-21:19
Surprised by humaneness
As Pippa and I have travelled around the world, we have often visited the local prisons. In some countries the justice system seems to be relatively humane. In other places the prison conditions and penalties imposed seem inhumane.
We are often surprised, even shocked, by parts of the Old Testament law. The Israelites would also have been surprised, though in a different way, because these laws were surprisingly humane by the standards of the time.
If a situation arose that seemed to be an accidental homicide, a person could be admitted to a city of refuge. Thereafter they could stay if, after the trial, the avenger failed to prove it was murder. The city had a duty to protect them until it was time for them to return (Joshua 20).
These laws preserved the sanctity of human life. Every human life is of infinite value to God. When a person’s life is taken, even if accidentally, it is a very serious matter. On the other hand, there is a humaneness about these laws that protects the person who has killed accidentally. This humaneness would probably have surprised people at the time.
As God’s people today, we should, of course, seek to ensure justice, just laws, deterring and reducing crime. But we should also be passionate about ensuring that our justice systems are humane.
Lord, help me in my own life, and also in society, to work towards just and humane laws. Thank you for your love, compassion and mercy.
Surprised by humaneness
As Pippa and I have travelled around the world, we have often visited the local prisons. In some countries the justice system seems to be relatively humane. In other places the prison conditions and penalties imposed seem inhumane.
We are often surprised, even shocked, by parts of the Old Testament law. The Israelites would also have been surprised, though in a different way, because these laws were surprisingly humane by the standards of the time.
If a situation arose that seemed to be an accidental homicide, a person could be admitted to a city of refuge. Thereafter they could stay if, after the trial, the avenger failed to prove it was murder. The city had a duty to protect them until it was time for them to return (Joshua 20).
These laws preserved the sanctity of human life. Every human life is of infinite value to God. When a person’s life is taken, even if accidentally, it is a very serious matter. On the other hand, there is a humaneness about these laws that protects the person who has killed accidentally. This humaneness would probably have surprised people at the time.
As God’s people today, we should, of course, seek to ensure justice, just laws, deterring and reducing crime. But we should also be passionate about ensuring that our justice systems are humane.
Lord, help me in my own life, and also in society, to work towards just and humane laws. Thank you for your love, compassion and mercy.