INTRODUCTION

God places a high value on life. His desire was for man to be fruitful and multiply, bringing forth abundantly in the earth (Genesis 9:7And you, be ye fruitful, and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth, and multiply therein.
See All...). Unfortunately, much evil exists that threatens God’s plan. Regardless of whether this threat comes from man, in the case of murder, or beast, God requires blood for blood (Genesis 9:6Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
See All...). If a beast shall take the life of a man or woman, that beast shall be put to death (Exodus 21:28If an ox gore a man or a woman, that they die: then the ox shall be surely stoned, and his flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the ox shall be quit.
See All...). If the owner of the beast knew the beast was a threat to life and did nothing to prevent it, even the owner would be put to death (Exodus 21:29But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
See All...). The same is true if one man unlawfully takes the life of another man (Exodus 21:12He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For smaller children) God said, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13Thou shalt not kill.
  See All...). That means to murder (Matthew 19:17-18 [17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. [18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
  See All...) and is done on purpose. The murderer is to be put to death (Deuteronomy 19:11-13 [11] But if any man hate his neighbour, and lie in wait for him, and rise up against him, and smite him mortally that he die, and fleeth into one of these cities: [12] Then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him thence, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. [13] Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
  See All...; Numbers 35:16-21 [16] And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [17] And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. [20] But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; [21] Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
  See All...).
• Why is life so important to God? How does the biblical mandate of blood for blood declare God’s commitment to the preservation of life while actually taking lives?
• Many people have murdered innocent people without facing the consequences for their wickedness. How is this the manifestation of a people who are disobedient to God?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to instill in you a greater value on life.
• Ask God to turn the heart of our leaders toward Him.

HYMN

Does Jesus Care?

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