We know that not all killing is murder. So, it's significant that the word "murder" is never used in the account of Cain and Abel. Cain "slew" Abel (KJV) or "killed" Abel (almost everyone else). Without going into all the implications of this, it should be borne in mind that the Hebrew word translated "kill" (KJV) or "murder" (almost everyone else) in Exodus 20.13 is a different word than that used for what Cain did to Abel. It was wrong, and it was punished. But, it isn't described as "murder."
Of course, there are a number of ways to talk about killing, and the significance of the use or absence of a particular word has to be evaluated in each case. In this case, we're going to avoid it! The subject at hand is vengeance, not killing, but the two topics intersect when we consider how God himself exacts vengeance in the case of killing. We won't be surprised to find that it is often through the agency of people. God's word to Noah after the flood waters receded was specific, even though the word "murder" was again not used: "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed." (Genesis 9.6) Two instances of killing, one which displeased God, and one which was done at his command. God required that vengeance be taken, that accounts be settled.
"The Avenger of Blood" is an unnamed person who appears frequently in the Bible. He is, evidently, the person who is designated, by virtue of kinship or appointment, as the one to shed the blood of the man-slayer. An awful duty, but one that God imposed.
Cities of Refuge were established for the protection of those who killed without malice aforethought, those who killed by accident. These cities were spaced out more or less evenly in order that the perpetrator could reach them before the avenger of blood, in a rage, slew them (Deuteronomy 19.6).
God did not outlaw the avenger of blood; he appointed him. Indeed, he (she) was a part of God's plan, a part of God's provision and had a God-given responsibility to avenge. The land could only be purged from the guilt of shed blood by shedding the blood of the guilty.
God did not upbraid the avenger of blood for his (her) rage. God did not tell them to cool it, let's see how this turns out. Rage was no doubt an essential part of the avenger of blood carrying out his (her) duty; it is not easy to kill anyone, under any circumstances. God himself, the Ultimate Avenger, takes no pleasure in the death of anyone, not even the guilty (Ezekiel 18.32). Rage probably helps overcome the avenger of blood's natural, and commendable, reluctance to carry out the deed.
The man-slayer who killed without malice was given shelter in the City of Refuge until the death of the High Priest. If, however, he left the refuge, violating the terms of his parole/ house arrest, the avenger of blood could kill him without being guilty of murder. Again, note that God did not tell the avenger to let bygones be bygones.
I Kings 3.16-28 illustrates the idea of justice as a balancing of accounts. The two prostitutes had gone to King Solomon for justice. Not having DNA technology at hand, he made the wise choice to split the difference, and the baby. We all know the outcome. Justice was done.
The Bible does not record that Solomon lectured the women on the evils of their profession. To our knowledge, he did not blame them for their own situation. He did not encourage them to forgive and move on. He did, however, seek justice for them. He sought to balance the books, as it were.
Our confidence in God's justice is based on the assurance that he will pay back evil for evil. Paul says it this way: "God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you." (II Thessalonians 1.6) He goes on to speak about ". . . in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished. . . " (vss. 8-9)
All that to say this: Paying back, vengeance, punishment and getting even are part of the system of justice that God instituted, and through which he works. God requires justice. Vengeance, as used in the Bible, is part of that system. It is not wrong. On the contrary, it is holy.
|