The 2 most misunderstood commands in the Bible
When God said: “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21), was He really saying “if someone knocks your tooth out — knock their tooth out”. In other words make sure you get your own back?
No
What about Jesus’ reversal of this. When Jesus said “If anyone strikes you on the right cheek — let them strike you on the left” (Matthew 5), was he really saying “let people treat you like a doormat”?
No
Both statements occur next to each other in Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. Both are confusing, and both commonly misunderstood. Here’s a 7 minute section of a sermon I gave which explains for you:
The video begins automatically at 13m, 44s . Watch the 7 minute section to 21m 21s for the explanation. (Of course, you can watch it all but I’m pointing you to the most relevant bit:-))
If you enjoy that, try the whole thing: The Old Testament Explained — in one sermon.
Chris, excellent interpretation of the old testament. I have always struggled with the violence of the old testament but seen as God’s education of civilization over time makes sense. God’s words indeed, thanks.
Hi Chris Thanks for these explanations of difficult passages (your latest blog) Many folk do not make the connection that not all the Bible says — the authors are subscribing to but many were! We all live in our own context socially and so did bible peoples. God slowly allows the earth and us with it to develop.….HE is the author of timelessness — how can we even begin to comprehend that? It would be rather surprising if we as ‘creatures’ of his hand also had his immense (for want of a better word) understanding. Trust and obey, we used… Read more »
Yes indeed — the concept of “progressive revelation” where God progressively reveals more and more of his nature over millennia is key and does account for why some Old Testament laws appear so strange, even brutal. There’s also a progressive revelation of God in our own individual lives ie where shows more and more of his nature to us over our own lifetime, as we are able to handle it. Thanks for keeping in touch!
Videos now!
You’re very good at them 🙂
Brilliant explanation Chris, thankyou! Sue 🙂