God of Justice

This week's Torah portion, Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים (Justices), based on Exodus 21-24, contains one of the most misunderstood portions of scripture in all of Torah. It contains some of the most disputed and misquoted verses in all of the Bible. Such as the following:

"When a man sells his daughter as a slave, she shall not go out as the male slaves do." Exodus 21:7

"you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." Exodus 21:23b-25

"If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her as his wife." Exodus 22:16

These are just a few of the isolated verses used often from people who want to discredit the scriptures as a righteous way of living. Or from people who want to put YHVH in a place of disfavor amongst mankind. Usually they are followed by a statment like this, "how can you love and follow a God who allows that?" Or are verses used to justify vengance and justify acts of cruelty against fellow human beings.

God will always favor the weak in order to balance the scales of justice.

When read in context and with proper understanding, we end up realizing that these are rules put in place to favor the unprotected. To help the victims of negative circumstances. If read correctly, we will understand and realize that these were revolutionary when they were given, for the time when these were passed, "lawlessness" ruled the world. These were times that strenght and cruelty favored the few and the victims of injustice suffered without restitution. People who bring up these isolated verses fail to read the remaining verses and fail to understand the culture at the time. For example, verse 7 in Exodus 21 was put in place to protect the victims of rape as well as their family. Verse 8 states, "If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins." So the Bible is not condoning or encouraging rape and "forcing the victim to marry her rapist", the argument I often hear from people quoting that verse in isolation. It is, instead, giving the victim and her family power over the rapist. The person who commited the injustice is forced to pay the price with financial restitution or with a life long commitment. We must understand that in those days, a woman defiled sexually was marked for failure. No man would want them afterwards and, even though they were not at fault, they would usually remain unmarried and unwanted by society. It was understood at the time, that a young virgin was to be protected and should not be left alone in the presence of evil men. Even so, if it did occur, this law ensured her protection and caused men to think twice before commiting the attroucious act of rape.

Next, I would like to address the verse above related to a daughter sold as a slave. The entire concept of slavery, as understood Biblically, is no different than employement is today. The laws protecting slaves and giving them rights was unheard of at the time. Even as recent as our modern history, say around a century ago, slaves were considered property and not given any rights. In YHVH's eyes, however, slaves were given many laws to protect them. A slave was not considered property, but was still to be treated as a human being who was down on their luck. They were people who were bound to another because of debt.

In our modern society, an employee working for wages is not much different than a slave. In ancient times, people who fell into debt were forced to work off their debt, and that is what slavery ment in the context of the Bible. The word used for a slave in Hebrew, Eved עֶבֶד, is the same word used for a worker and a worshiper today. It is a word that simply means, "one who offers service." Most of the laws between Corporations and employees today are derived from Biblical principles and favor the employees. For Adonai, these laws were important to protect the weak and keep the ones in places of strenght from taking advantage of their position.

Lastly, "an eye for an eye" has been used very liberally from people seeking vengeance. Like every scripture in the Bible, they were not meant to be used isolated and to fit one's narrative. This verse was used in a specific context and situation. One that anyone with a fair mind would agree is a good application for it. The verse preceeding this one is addressing a cruel man who physically abuse an hurt a pregnant woman. Even so, the verse is fair, as it states, "but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined", again ensuring there will be financial restitution no matter what, but not giving them power to kill unless it is needed. Then it states that if the child from the pregnant mother is harmed, then the perpetrador should be put to death or physically harmed. Even in today's court system there are circumstances that merit capital punishment. Laws that exist to keep people from doing vile things, and I think most would agree that physicall hitting a pregnant woman to the point of inducing labor fits the bill.

So, you see, next time someone comes to you with an isolated verse while attempting to shame you for worshiping and loving a God of justice, you can hold your head up high and know that yes, being someone who upholds justice is a positive thing. We shouldn't expect any less from a good God. He is indeed just and though He discourages evil deeds, He still knows they occur in this fallen world and has given us laws that will bring temporary restitution to the victims of such injustices. Justice is good and we only protest when it works against us. It is unfortunate how our flesh operates, but we should be glad that God is impartial when it comes to justice. This means we can count on Him when we need justice applied in our lives. Have a wonderful and blessed week. Shalom Ve'Shavuah Tov!

"He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he" Deuteronomy 32:4