INTRODUCTION

The Lord gave laws to protect the innocent, and punish the guilty. In the midst of these laws, a section is devoted to a scenario of what might occur when two men strive with one another. During their conflict, they hurt a woman who was with child to the end that the she loses her child. The conflict is literal or physical and the problems resulting are literal or physical, but there is also a spiritual truth disclosed. When two people strive, others, though they were not even involved in the initial conflict, will suffer consequences. Before two people decide to take part in strife, they would be wise to consider the effect their contention will have on the innocent people around them.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) Adam and Eve loved their sons very much. They suffered when Cain killed his brother, Abel. Abel was dead and Cain had to leave home and wander from place to place (Genesis 4:1-12 [1] And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. [2] And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. [3] And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. [4] And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: [5] But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. [6] And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? [7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. [8] And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. [9] And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? [10] And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. [11] And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; [12] When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth.
  See All...).
• Have you ever been hurt by strife of which you were not directly involved? Was your hurt any less than that of those who took part in the strife?
• What are some good examples where strife harms the innocent (i.e., church, home, workplace)? Why is it important to think about the consequences of strife before partaking in it?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to protect the innocent in times of strife.
• Thank God for the times He has shielded you from harm.

HYMN

Take Time to Be Holy

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