Contemplative Bible Reading

Numbers 35:20-21 (New Living Translation)

20 So if someone hates another person and waits in ambush, then pushes him or throws something at him and he dies, it is murder. 21 Or if someone hates another person and hits him with a fist and he dies, it is murder. In such cases, the avenger must put the murderer to death when they meet.

This part of the reciting of the old law concerns the death of a person by accident or by HATE. In today’s legal terms (I am not a lawyer, but I can read) we often use the term “manslaughter” for “the crime of killing a human being without malice aforethought.”

Gosh, malice aforethought sure seems nicer than HATE.

In this old law, God is highlighting the role of HATE in SIN. In the New Testament, Jesus notes how HATING someone is the same as murdering them.

“Well, I don’t hate that fella’ over there. I don’t like some of the things that fella’ does, but hate? Naw, I don’t hate.”

That sure is a fine distinction. That sure is convenient for me to say. I have covered all the bases and come out clean and sin free and …

Nope. Sorry. Once again, I have tried to be God and set things up for my benefit. Nope. Sorry. Doesn’t work that way.

I am to love that fella’ over there. Don’t like some of the things that fella’ does? That is not a consideration. Love that fella’ PERIOD. THE END. Please God, help me in my unbelief.