The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Matthew:5:38-42

kjv@Matthew:5:38 @ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;

kjv@Matthew:5:39 @ But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil; but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

kjv@Matthew:5:40 @ And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.

kjv@Matthew:5:41 @ And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

kjv@Matthew:5:42 @ Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Today's notes: Resist Not Evil

Context:

Before - swear not
After - bless them that curse you

What is man believing/doing?:

attempting to limit vengeance or retribution to an equal measure
attempting to apply it universally across the board
instance - suing a Christian or Christians
instance - legally pressing a Christian to do civic service

What is making man to believe/do as he is doing?:

Traditional interpretation of kjv@Exodus:21:22-27 kjv@Leviticus:24:19 kjv@Deuteronomy:19:16-21
historical experience with vigilantism and lesser forms of law from other cultures
a sense of and need for justice
if it makes sense in one area it should in all
(implied) the christian has been found liable by a judge
(implied) civic service when called upon is owed by all citizens

Notes:

eye for eye - mischief of either party after court judgment strkjv@Exodus:21:22-27; scaring of a neighbor strkjv@Leviticus:24:19; by judges as judgment of false witness kjv@Deuteronomy:19:16-21

There is a much broader biblical context in the Old Testament for God being the avenger for His saints rather than the saints being for God or themselves. Eye for an eye has been held by many as the standard, but Jesus' sense here seems to be more like the standard intended all along.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

The base human nature is to stand against wrong and make every point to clear emphasize that such behavior will not be tolerated and avenge the wrongfully injured. The reality is that in fits of vengeance the recompense abhorrently exceeds the original insult. Justice and the determination of penalty is therefore rightfully placed upon established legal courts in theory (though that itself can be used to carry out injustice as well)
There is also the issue more correctly addressed by Levitical Law as to what happens after the judgment is rendered if either party attempts to extend or extract more than what has been allowed which actually is where the eye for eye rule was intended to come into play.
True followers in a just world would have no worry as to the legal system, but because of the way the system has been used against them historically they have every reason to be concerned and aware, just as Jesus had reason to make the issue one of His top sermon bullet points. His speech is not towards how we work against it, but how we continue on despite it.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Matthew:5:38-42
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Matthew:5:38-42 rwp@Matthew:5:38-42 mhcc@Matthew:5:38-42
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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