Deuteronomy 19: Eye for an Eye

"You must not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot."

Deuteronomy 19:21

For the first time in my life, I understand the context of this verse - and it's vastly different from what I've been taught by contemporary thinkers.  Read the verses above it:

"The judges are to make a careful investigation, and if the witness turns out to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother.  You must purge the evil from you."

Deuteronomy 19:18-19

The "eye for an eye" verse isn't talking about paying back someone who has wronged you.  It's not about revenge at all.  It's about the accuser.  It's about being careful what you wish upon others because you'll be judged by the same standard, and you'll be given the same punishment.

Question of the Day:

How often do you wish ill on others, claiming that they have wronged you?  What punishment would you be willing to take if you were wrong in accusing them?  What punishment would you be willing to take if you were convicted of wronging others the same way?

Prayer of the Day:

Give me a merciful heart, Lord.  Convict me of my own wrongdoing so that I will be less harsh towards others who do wrong.  Remove the plank from my own eye so that I may be able to see the speck in my brother's eye, and be better able to help him remove it rather than punish him for it.  Amen.