Still part of our preparation for the Day of Atonement, today we look into the commandments that were written on the second tablet. The first tablet where the first 5 commandments were written, are understood as the commandments that has to do more on the spiritual, while the second is more of the physical.
On this tablet, the 6th commandment is also the first, and it happens to be the “number of man” too. It is simple and straight to the point.
[13] “You shall not murder.”
Shemot (Exodus) 20:13, Literal English Version
Murder. A commandment not to murder. Does it pertain to animals? No. When Noah and his family offered their thanksgiving to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH/YAHUWAH) after the flood, they were given permission to eat clean animals (not unclean animals). Hence it was written as “not to murder” and not “not to kill”.
Murder pertains to killing your fellow human beings.
There are only two examples that killing a human being has been allowed in the Scripture.
- By order of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH/YAHUWAH) because
- Of sin
- Of war
- Of paganism
- Of sin, as found and judged based on the set process and standard by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH/YAHUWAH)
- There must be at least two (2) witnesses that can stand scrutiny, are blameless -- which we do not have today
- Must be tried outside of the city gates -- which most cities in the world do not have today
- Must be heared and judged by the High Priest -- which obviously, we do not have today
Personally, I have not found any verse allowing such during wars not ordered by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH/YAHUWAH); or of self-defense. When the original Israel waged a war against their enemies, it was because of “sin”. Either them being punished for they turned their backs on 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 (YAHUAH/YAHUWAH), or they had and must remove any pagan influences around them lest they too fall once again to its lure.
Protecting and saving a family member. A good example was when Abram (later Abraham) saved his nephew Lot when he was attacked and captured by foreign kings. Abram took with him 318 trained men from his own household and went after them. He was able to rescue Lot and his men, women, and servants, together with all their livestocks and other possessions.
It is clear that the 6th commandment was about murder in cold blood. Remember the first murder in history? When Cain murdered his brother Abel because of jealousy, when Cain himself was at fault in the first place?
However, we must guard our heart and let it not be filled with hatred. We may be protecting and saving our loved ones. We may be doing our duty as defenders of our respective nations. But if our heart is full hatred, is it not as good as murder in cold blood?
Let us all reflect on this today. Especially with what has happened this past week where our loved ones were killed by terrorists, which is a universe away from killing suspected drug users, and pushers. One, clearly a war, while the other deserves a fair trial.
Shalom my brethren!