Day 726: Choose life - Proverbs 28 vs 17 -18.
17 If one is burdened with the blood of another, he will be a fugitive until death; (Hebrew 'until the pit') let no one help him. 18 Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. Proverbs 28:17-18 English Standard Version
Only two verses today but they touch on a subject of importance. The phrase 'burdened with the blood of another' is likely to do with murder or manslaughter. While murder is usually a premeditated act, manslaughter is the crime of killing a person when the killer did not intend to do it. The first recorded incident of someone killing another person is that of Cain and Abel, the children of Adam and Eve. We're told that when they were in the field “Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him.” (Genesis 4:8 ) God confronted Cain and said: “What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.” Whether it's murder or manslaughter, the blood of the victim cries out to God for justice. It is a terrible crime.
God passed sentence on Cain that day and said: “You are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.” (Genesis 4:10-12) Cain's reply suggests that the word 'fugitive' means someone on the run from society – and from God. He said to the Lord “You have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Some may argue that because God didn't strike Cain down it means the death sentence should never be used. But just two chapters later we read: “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually . . . and the earth was filled with violence. And God said to Noah, 'I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth.'” (Genesis 6:5-13) And following that worldwide death sentence, God said to Noah and his children: “For your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. ‘Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” (Genesis 9:5-6)
Yes, the death sentence is a somber matter and should never be undertaken lightly or hurriedly. But it reflects the gravity of murder in God's sight. Did you notice how vs 17 of today's reading finished?
Let no one help him. In the case of a fugitive from justice it implies that people should not protect and shelter someone who is guilty of a violent crime. The cities of refuge in the Bible only gave refuge to a fleeing fugitive until the case could be heard in full. After that justice needed to take it's course. In answer to those who say 'Oh, but that sounds so cruel', what is the solution that verse 18 goes on to give?
If we don't want to end up as fugitives from man and from God, we must put on integrity. The writer says it's only those who choose crooked ways in life who never know when justice will suddenly catch up with them. And while it's true that many criminals, even murderers, may not be found out by their fellow man, the blood of their victims still cries out to God and they will be raised up to stand before His judgment. Moses' words to Israel of old are just as valid to all men and women today. He said: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19) People with integrity will indeed choose the way that leads to life.