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It's easy to believe that in the Old Testament there is nothing but law. There is no grace. That's actually not true. All the Bible is full of God's, even the Old Testament. In the region of the world, family honor killing are part of the culture. To this day, in many parts of the Middle East, if one of your family or clan is killed or dishonored, it is the responsibility of the family or clan to strike back and preserve their honor. Even if it was an accident
That is never the case in the Old Testament. Trials and judgements must be held before punishments. And if it's an accident, there are these cities of refugee where the one accused can stay and be sake from revenge.
Because vengeance is not our work, as humans. Judgement is God's task, not ours. We should not be after vengeance, in any situation. We must not seek revenge. That is not to say the people are not punished for their wrongs; they are. But, cold hearted revenge, which was a part of their culture, and in many ways, still part of ours, is not what one that follows God should be after.
New Testament Lesson
And we see that message here again. Do not be conformed to this world. Be transformed. Be different. Don't be like the world. We are supposed to be different. As Christians, we are supposed to act different from the world. We are supposed to have different motivations, different hopes, different dreams. We are to be different. We are not to conform to what this world is like.
Gospel Lesson
God will sow His seed. He will spread His grace. He will offer it to us, each day. How will we respond? How will our hearts receive? Will we receive it openly? Readily? Willing to receive God's grace? He will offer and give grace. Will we receive that grace today?
rob bell has a great nooma on revenge and forgiveness. i think it is "luggage"
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