Exodus 21

Daily Devotional from Exodus 21

Verse 24
…eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot…

How many times have we heard these words quoted, especially in old western movies? And what about verse 7, “If a man sells his daughter”...what’s up with that? Laws about servants, laws about violence, laws about property? Some seem strange, some seem severe and some we read and say, ‘really?’

These laws were written to keep a large community in peace and to provide justice for not only the victims but all Israelites. We know a society can’t survive long in disorder and lawlessness. Yet then, like now, violence and criminal activities seem to abound. In the midst of the listed laws that sometimes seems more like vengeance, God clearly reminds us that not only does vengeance belong to Him, but that we can count on Him to do all things well and provide fairness and justice for all.

Throughout the centuries the laws of man have often seemed unfair, oppressive and even stifling. We have to realize that one day, Jesus will step on this planet and turn every wrong into a right. Our lack of understanding, our frustrations, and even the vengeance we see will be overcome by the blood of the lamb. Today, let’s put our trust in the Just Jesus who is definitely our hope.

Marci Ellis