Exodus chapter 21 concludes with a section of the law dealing with negligence. Verse 28 reads, “If a bull gores a man or a women to death, the bull must be stoned to death and the meat must not be eaten. But the owner of the bull will not be held responsible.” If there was no warning the owner can not be guilty of neglect. Why is the meat not eaten? It is not because the meat is evil, but rather so the owner does not profit from the tragic event. The next verse continues, “If, however, the bull has a habit of goring and the owner has been warned, but has not kept it pen up and it kills a man or a women, the bull must be stoned and the owner also must be put to death.” In the case of negligence, the owner is responsible and must pay the penalty. Interestingly though, God allows for the victim’s family to receive restitution through the principal of redemption. “If payment is demanded of the man, he may redeem his life by paying whatever is demanded.” Notice the redemption is costly and given the choice between his own death and paying the high cost, the man could buy his way out of death, but the restitution must be made complete.
Romans 3:21-28 explains how God’s “Law of Righteousness” has been made manifest in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God“, meaning we are all guilty according to the law. All of us have fallen short of perfection. The penalty is death, but Jesus Christ willingly laid down His life for us, in our place. He made restitution for us. “being justified as a gift of His grace through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ“. The verse continues by explaining “this was to demonstrate His righteousness“. Our sins are not just forgiven, but the payment is made to redeem our life. God’s standard is met through the sacrifice of the sinless man, God in human form, our Savior and our Lord. That is why the apostle calls Him both “Just and the Justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus“. Everyone can receive this redemption by simply asking in faith. “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law.” You cannot earn your way to heaven by being good, you are either perfect, or guilty. Accept the redemption of Jesus Christ by faith and experience God’s grace.
The final verses of chapter 21 of Exodus continues discussing negligence, “If a man…digs a pit and fails to cover it and an ox or donkey falls into it; the owner of the pit must pay for the loss…he must pay the owner, and the dead animal becomes his“. Also, “If a man’s bull injures another man’s bull and it dies, they are to sell the live bull and divide the money and the dead animal equally“. But if the animal has a habit of goring and is not kept in a pen, “the owner must pay animal for animal and the dead animal will be his“. Many of us need to be careful not to neglect the pits we have dug in our past. Some of us have had wild bull rides in our youth as well. If you are struggling with old habits, listen to the wisdom in Hebrews 10:24-25, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on to love an good deeds, not forsaking the assembling together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another“. Encourage someone else today!