HOMICIDE
Immediately after the Flood, it was decreed that “he who sheds man’s blood, by man his blood will be shed” (Gen. 9:6). The “blood avenger” had the right to kill the murderer (Num. 35:19).
However, if he could reach a city of refuge, he saved his life for the time being. The cities of refuge had not been instituted for the advantage of criminals, but to protect involuntary murderers, due to recklessness (Num. 35:22-25).
In case the death had taken place with premeditation, the criminal was put to death, even if he clung to the horns of the altar (Ex. 21:14; cp. 1 Kings 2: 28-34).
The murderer who sought asylum in the city of refuge was judged. He could not be sentenced to death except on the accusation of at least two concurring witnesses (Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6).
If he was guilty of voluntary manslaughter, he could not be exonerated by any financial compensation (Num. 35:31); He was handed over to the avenger of blood, who put him to death (Num. 35:19; Deut. 19:12). If he was acquitted, he had the right of asylum in the city of refuge, but he had to remain there until the death of the high priest.
Under the Mosaic legislation, the principle of “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” had been enunciated (Mt. 5:38; Ex. 21:24). This principle establishes that the penalty must be proportional to the offense. Justice is the guiding principle in punitive retribution.
There could be no exaltation of revenge, with great punishments for minor offenses, but neither should the guilty be considered righteous or left unpunished (Deut. 19:11-13, 18-21).
Under the dispensation of grace the Christian acts under another principle: since he is an object of grace, he must also act in grace towards others. The admonition is addressed to the Christian: “Do not avenge yourselves, my beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Rom. 12:19; Rev. . 6:10; 19:2).
Now is the day of grace. But a day of vengeance is coming for those “who do not know God, nor obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thes. 1:8).
The Christian’s duty not to take revenge does not conflict at all with the exercise of God’s government, delegated to human magistrates, who derive their authority from His, in the repression and punishment of crimes. This principle is reaffirmed in the NT, because authority “bears the sword not in vain, for he is God’s servant, an avenger to punish him who does evil” (Rom. 13:4).