NCF Sunday Worship

The KJV translates the 6th commandment, “Thou shalt not kill.” In early 17th century England, that translation is consistent with their word usage, but it is more consistent with the Hebrew to translate it in today’s English as “You shall not murder.” The meaning is you shall not take life unlawfully. Exodus 21:12 states, "Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.” Scripture gives the State the authority after a just trial with witnesses to execute someone who has committed a capital crime. Soldiers and officers, in justifiable cases, are allowed to take life to protect the life of others. The Bible allows for lethal force to be used against an attacker to protect innocent life (Ex. 22:2-3; Gen. 9:5-6). The positive side of the commandment is to protect life. God commanded the Israelites to build fences or parapets around their roofs so that when entertaining guests on their rooftops, someone would not accidentally fall to their death. We put fences around swimming pools so children will not accidentally fall in and drown. God cares so much for human life that He makes laws to prevent the intentional taking of human life but also laws designed to prevent the loss of life by accident (TableTalk). He does this because He is a just God and because we are made in His image.