With overnight strikes the death toll of civilians and the remorseless destruction of Lebanon’s infrastructure is relentless. More than a million Lebanese are displaced, fleeing in fear with no safety and security in sight. And let’s not forget Gaza where UN workers say they’ve never encountered a humanitarian crisis like it. How we long for a cease fire, a diplomatic solution and the return of hostages to Israel.
Eye for an Eye
I’ve heard this Old Testament reference to ‘an eye for an eye’ (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21).
several times over this year since the Hamas attack on October 7th, but I think it’s a misuse of the term. This part of God’s law was given in the context of court justice – the aim being to ensure judges made punishment fit the crime. It wasn’t meant to encourage retaliation; it was meant to prevent escalation. Nor was ‘an eye for an eye’ to be followed literally, but was rather a guide to compensation. Although there was capital punishment for murder in ancient Israel, most other crimes were repaid with payment in goods.
At the time of Moses when the law was given, Israel was to be different to her neighbouring countries. The weakest or poorest person among them had the same rights as the wealthiest or strongest and this radical law of God was to protect the value of each individual. An ‘eye for an eye’ is not natural to the human heart. If someone pokes out an eye, the reaction is to poke out both eyes which is then followed by something worse. This results in vendettas and family blood feuds and is against God’s justice. What we see unfolding in the Middle East in these days is not ‘an eye for an eye’ but an escalation of violence, terror and human misery.
By the time of Jesus, the scribes had allowed punishment for crimes to come into private life where vengeful retaliation was seen as an individual’s right. In the teaching Jesus gives in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38) he isn’t contradicting the law of God, but he’s taking issue with the way the scribes had twisted it, hence Jesus says, ‘You’ve heard it said…..’. His followers are to refuse to take justice into their own hands, but let God, the righteous judge, take care of things for them. By refusing to retaliate they are positively deescalating situations.
A Mindset of Service
In this turbulent time of war Christians in Lebanon are following Jesus’ teaching about loving your neighbours and even your enemies by adopting a mindset of service. Churches, Bible Schools and private homes are opening their doors to displaced people regardless of their faith background. Muslims and Christians alike are being served. May the Lord bless and keep them and give them peace.
Lenna’s Blog 
thanks Lenna – such true words, how often have i felt these last 12 months that Israel is overshooting an eye for an eye by miles – being totally caught up in revenge and power, truly sad.
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