Deuteronomy 5:17 You shall not kill. Beginning with this commandment, God lays down the rules to be observed by men in relation to their fellows. To kill, to murder, to slaughter, etc., are words which make us tremble. Man's life is precious to him — he gives it up with a struggle; and God takes it under His especial protection. Man has been made in the image of God, and His image must be honoured in every human life. Notice — I. HOW THIS COMMAND IS TRANSGRESSED. 1. In old catechisms this commandment is illustrated often by two pictures — the fulfilment of it by the picture of the good Samaritan, the breaking of it by Cain with the club with which he slew his brother. Thus, whoever acts as Cain did — whatever the weapon he uses — transgresses this command (Genesis 9:6). And it is seldom that the Divine order regarding this is escaped — not even here vindicated. A drop of blood, the lethal weapon, a footprint, a chance word, the pangs of remorse, etc., will bring the deed to light. Blood unjustly shed cries for vengeance; and anyone deprived of life — even though a child or man in extremity — is murdered. The life which God has given God alone may take; and one is not guiltless even when he risks his own life in the deadly encounter. 2. The commandment also forbids the maiming, wounding, or injuring the body of another. When the man inflamed by drink injures another, when a man attacks his foe in the descending darkness, etc., there also lurks the spirit of murder. 3. But the tongue, too, may wound bitterly. There is an art by which, through insult or reviling, a neighbour is deeply wounded and bears about the scars for many a year. 4. But the Word of God requires more. It requires that the roots from whence those murderous words or actions spring should be torn up (Matthew 5:22). Such roots are anger, hatred, envy, malignity, revengefulness (1 John 3:15, etc.). He who laughs and is glad when another weeps because of misfortune, etc., has the spirit of the murderer (Proverbs 24:17). Nor must any take on themselves the rewarding of unrighteousness without waiting for God's time (Romans 12:19). In the spirit of revenge lurks the spirit of murder. II. NOTICE HOW THE COMMAND IS OBEYED. 1. We must turn away from the image of Cain and look on that of the good Samaritan — save those who are in danger of being murdered. If we see one in danger of losing life, say not with Cain, "Am I my brother's keeper?" — pass not by with priest or Levite. Let us cultivate the spirit of the peasant who saved the lives of the bridge keeper and his family when the bridge had fallen, bringing them in the light skiff through the raging flood and crashing in drift safely to the shore and then going his way, putting aside every offer of reward. 2. We must also help men in time of need. If we neglect the hungry when we have plenty and refuse to succour the sick, we are not fulfilling this command (Isaiah 58:7-10). 3. But not only does God seek to take a poisoned root out of man's heart by this command, but to implant another which will bring forth the fruit of love and mercy (Colossians 3:12). 4. We are to live in love and peace even with our enemies. God has forgiven us much; we also must learn to forgive our enemies, etc. "Love is like dew," says the proverb; "it falls on roses and nettles alike." If your foe comes to you saying, "Let us be at peace," he comes in the spirit of this command. But even if he does not thus, come, but goes forth to de what is unjust, then "heap coals of fire on his head" by gentle forbearance; and remember ever the promise, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God." "They who turn aside disputing and striving turn the curses into a blessing," says the proverb. 5. Although animals are not made "in the image of God," yet mercifulness to his beast is part of the adornment of a Christian man's character. The man who starves or overdrives his beast sins against the spirit of this command. The tormenter of animals may become the slayer of men. Let the spirit of love reign. (K. H. Caspari.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt not kill. |
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