Commandment #6  Thou Shalt Not Murder

Exodus 20:13

1.  Shift in focus. 

A. From man and God to man and Family, to man and society.  The remainder of commandments are horizontal in nature.  What makes for a successful society.  These are not given with carrots or sticks. 

B. Their need for a successful society should be obvious.  Like absurd warranties.  Do not murder. Do not commit adultery.  Do not steal.  Not unlike, do not iron clothes that are on your body.  Or on a hairdryer, do not use in a bathtub. Etc. 

2.  Goes all the way back to Noah, Gen. 9:1-6

A. Implications

1.  GE 9:6 "in the image of God, God made man".  All human life has value.   There are no throw away people, not the derelicts, not the pre- born babies, not the ….

2.  GE 9:6 "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed" Capital punishment is not cruel and unusual.  It is mandated.  It is justice. 

3.  Many times in scripture God tells us to get the evil out of our midst.

B.  This is a rule for the preservation of society.

1. Individuals are not to murder each other

2. The society must protect itself from murders.

3.  There is another reason we are not to take revenge and, in our righteous anger, murder.  It shows we are not trusting God to keep His promises.

DT 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip,  their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."

PR 20:22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.

  PR 24:29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."

RO 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

4.  God knows that for a successful, peaceful society, we are to go beyond just not taking our revenge.

  MT 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment

LEV 19:18 " `Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

    MT 5:43 "You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

RO. 12:20 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

5. Not easy to forgive.  Only with the help of God.