Part 43 (1/2)

II. LAW CONCERNING MAN'S SLAUGHTER; G.o.d'S COVENANT WITH NOAH; THE RAINBOW 32-68.

A. LAW CONCERNING SLAYERS OF LIFE.

1. If it existed before the flood 32.

2. Relation of the flood to this law 33.

3. This the source of all human laws 34-36.

4. When and how this law can be executed 35.

* Why is it well to observe that government was inst.i.tuted by G.o.d 36-37.

5. In what respect is it a great blessing from G.o.d 37.

6. How is government a proof of G.o.d's love to man 38.

7. Why G.o.d gave this command, and why he punishes man-slaughter 39.

8. Hereby a new police and a new order are inst.i.tuted 40.

* Verdict of philosophy and of reason on civil authority 41.

* Verdict of G.o.d's Word 42.

9. This law applies to all men 43.

10. Why G.o.d is such an enemy of man-slaughter, and so earnestly forbids it 44-45.

11. The conclusion that G.o.d loves life 46.

II. THE LAW AGAINST TAKING LIFE; G.o.d'S COVENANT WITH NOAH; THE RAINBOW.

A. The Law Against Taking Life.

V. 6a. _Who sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed._

32. Here the carelessness of the Latin translator deserves reproof; for he omitted the very necessary expression ”by man.” The difference between the time before and that after the flood is thus brought out.

When Cain had murdered his brother Abel, G.o.d revered human blood so highly that he threatened to visit sevenfold punishment upon anyone who should kill Cain. He would not have the slayer of man put to death even by due process of law; and though Adam punished the sin of his son severely by casting him out, he did not dare to p.r.o.nounce sentence of death upon him.

33. But here Jehovah establishes a new law, requiring the murderer be put to death by man--a law unprecedented, because heretofore G.o.d had reserved all judgment to himself. When he saw that the world was growing worse and worse, he finally enforced punishment against a wicked world by the flood. Here, however, G.o.d bestows a share of his authority upon man, giving him the power of life and death, that thus he may be the avenger of bloodshed. Whosoever takes man's life without due warrant, him G.o.d subjects not only to his own judgment, but also to the sword of man. Though G.o.d may use man as his instrument in punis.h.i.+ng, he is himself still the avenger. Were it not for the divine command, then, it would be no more lawful now to slay a murderer than it was before the flood.

34. This is the source from which spring all civil laws and the laws of nations. If G.o.d grants man the power of life and death, he certainly also grants power in matters of lesser importance--power over property, family, wife, children, servants and fields. G.o.d wills that these things shall be under the control of certain men, who are to punish the guilty.

35. We must remember well that between the power of G.o.d and of men there is this difference: G.o.d has the power to slay us when the world cannot even accuse us--when before it we are innocent. Sin is born with us; we are all guilty before G.o.d. Men have no authority to slay except where guilt is apparent and crime is proven. Hence courts have been established and a definite method of proceeding inst.i.tuted for the purpose of investigating and proving the crime before the sentence of death is pa.s.sed.

36. Heed, then, this pa.s.sage. It establishes civil authority as G.o.d's inst.i.tution, with power, not only of life and death, but jurisdiction in matters where life is not involved. Magistrates are to punish the disobedience of children, theft, adultery, perjury--all sins which are forbidden in the second table. He who grants jurisdiction over the life of man, at the same time grants judgment over lesser matters.

37. The importance of this text and its claim to attention consists in the fact that it records the establishment of civil authority by G.o.d with the sword as insignia of power, for the purpose that license may be curbed and anger and other sins inhibited from growing beyond all bounds. Had G.o.d not granted this power to man, what kind of lives, I ask you, would we lead? He foresaw that wickedness would ever flourish, and established this external remedy to prevent the indefinite spread of license. By this safeguard G.o.d protects life and property as by a fence and a wall.

38. We find here no less a proof of G.o.d's great love toward man than his promise that the flood shall never again rage, and his promise that flesh may be eaten for the sustenance of human life.