Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
(Proverbs 6:16-19)
Introduction:
Good Morning
On behalf of the Shinchon Church of Christ, we would like to welcome you here today. As we continue our journey to get to know God, we will look at the third thing that King Solomon list that God hates (Proverbs 6:16-19), are hands that shed innocent blood. Since the very beginning when Cain, out of jealousy, killed is Brother Abel, this world has become a killing ground. But, what does God think of all this killing?
Thou Shalt Not Kill
As we turn to Exodus 20:13, we see Moses returns from Mt. Sinai, where he earlier met God in the burning bush. Here God gives him the Ten Commandments, inscribed onto two stone tablets. And in verse 13, we see God’s command of Thou shalt not kill. Most translations appropriately replace the word "kill" with the word "murder."
God, who by his providence gives and maintains life, by his law, protects it. As we look at Exodus 21:12-17, 23, 29 ("Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. 13 However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. 14 But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.15 "Anyone who attacks (kills) his father or his mother must be put to death. 16 "Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death. 17 "Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death. 23 But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, 29 If, however, the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but has not kept it penned up and it kills a man or woman, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death.). We additional commands given by God on killing. A willful murderer shall be taken even from God's altar. But God provided cities of refuge to protect those whose unhappiness it was, and not their fault, to cause the death of another; for such as by accident, when a man is doing a lawful act, without intent of hurt, happens to kill another. Let children hear the sentence of God's word upon the ungrateful and disobedient; and remember that God will certainly requite it, if they have ever cursed their parents, even in their hearts, or have lifted up their hands against them, except they repent, and flee for refuge to the Saviour. And let parents hence learn to be very careful in training up their children, setting them a good example, especially in the government of their passions, and in praying for them; taking heed not to provoke them to wrath.
There are types of killing - Not all “killing” are the same.
Justifiable homicide - self defense (Exodus 22:2-3 2 "If a thief is caught breaking in and is struck so that he dies, the defender is not guilty of bloodshed; 3 but if it happens, after sunrise, he is guilty of bloodshed. "A thief must certainly make restitution, but if he has nothing, he must be sold to pay for his theft. Matthew 24:43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into).
Accidental homicide - (Numbers 35:22-25 " 'But if without hostility someone suddenly shoves another or throws something at him unintentionally 23 or, without seeing him, drops a stone on him that could kill him, and he dies, then since he was not his enemy and he did not intend to harm him, 24 the assembly must judge between him and the avenger of blood according to these regulations. 25 The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send him back to the city of refuge to which he fled. He must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil).
Judicial homicide - a man sentenced to death after being convicted of killing (Deuteronomy 19:13 Show him no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with you. Romans 13:4 For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer).
Murder - (Numbers 35:16-21 “‘If a man strikes someone with an iron object so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. 17 Or if anyone has a stone in his hand that could kill, and he strikes someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. 18 Or if anyone has a wooden object in his hand that could kill, and he hits someone so that he dies, he is a murderer; the murderer shall be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at him intentionally so that he dies 21 or if in hostility he hits him with his fist so that he dies, that person shall be put to death; he is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him).
As A Man Thinks In His Heart
As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7 for he is the kind of man who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.) Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is.
God deals with the roots, not just the fruits. (Matthew 5:20-22 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. 21"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' (worthless) is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.)
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.)
Guard your heart and keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.)
Control your anger, the discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and it is to his glory to overlook a transgression. (Proverbs 19:11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.)
Bless & do good to your enemies (Romans 12:15, 17, 21 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.)
Are We Guilty?
Consider the death of Jesus. Judas betrayed innocent blood. (Matthew 27:44"I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility.") Jesus was delivered up because of our offenses (Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification). If we have sinned, we have chosen to have our desires satisfied, over the life of an innocent one.
Conclusion:
God offers forgiveness.
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things has passed away; behold, all things have become new. (2 Corinthians 5:1717Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!)