A Witness

O. T. #407  "A Witness"
November 13, 2014
Deuteronomy 19-Part 2
And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.  Deuteronomy 19:21

LET IT GLOW

Yesterday, I went into a party store looking for ideas on decorations for our Vacation Bible School in the summer. A young man was checking me out. Somehow, during our chit-chat, he mentioned that he had been made to attend a Christian school. Also, both sets of grandparents forced him to their church on the weekends, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. He didn't have anything to do with either one now.
Without sounding too preachy, I tried to plant the seed for this confused guy. I encouraged him to not look at the people, because we are all sinners. Only one did not sin-Jesus. The Bible is not just a storybook, but is true and living Word of God. Faith in Jesus is what we need. I felt compassion for this mixed up guy. I asked his name and said I would pray for him.
Later, I thought of many things I could have shared with him, but obviously I was not supposed to water, but only plant the truth of Jesus. I pray others will come along and do that. Who knows, maybe he will be there the next time I go to that store and can witness more to that young man. I was happy to be a witness for Jesus.

Moses laid down the Law concerning false witnesses:

• One witness was not enough to convict an accused man of any crime or offense. (verse 15)
• The matter required 2-3 witnesses to settle his guilt. (verse 15)
• If one witness is proven wrong by two other witnesses, then that one is considered a false witness. They must stand in the presence of the Lord and before priests and judges. (verses 16-17)
• The judges thoroughly investigate the one's testimony. If he is proven to have been a liar in the matter, then they were to do to the false witness as he intended to do to his brother. (verses 18-19)
• Israel was to purge the evil from among them-capital punishment. It was so others would hear of the matter and no do the same. (verse 20)

What kind of witness are well for our Lord Jesus? Is our life showing others the Truth? Are we always telling the truth?

LET IT GROW

In verse 20, we read of the "law of retaliation." It was the principle of legal justice, given so the punishment of a criminal would not be too strict or too lenient. (Exodus 21:23-24; Leviticus 24:20)

Exodus 21:23-24 says, And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life. eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

This law limited the amount of retaliation. Certainly, a man could not be killed if he caused another to loose an eye, tooth, hand, or foot.

It was an exact punishment; it was fair; it was publicly administered; yet in many such cases a just and equitable fine or replacement of damaged property was accomplished. (Falwell)

Jesus confronted the Jews of His day for taking this law out of the courts and using it for purposes of personal vengeance (Matt. 5:38-42).  (MacArthur)

In Matthew 5, Jesus tells us:

• If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
• I someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
• If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
• Give to the one who asks you.
• Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

These are a big glass of tea, friend. It separates us as loving followers of Jesus from the rest of the world.
What kind of witness are we?

LET IT GO

Give and forgive.

Love.

Be Jesus' witness with my words and my life.