Jesus Christ understood God’s spiritual law perfectly, down to every jot and tittle of every statute and judgment in the Old Testament. Read Mark 12:28-31 to see which two laws He considered the greatest of them all. These are the two broad principles of God’s spiritual law. Read again what Christ said about their priority among the hundreds of specifics in the law.
Read the scripture from which Christ quoted the second broad principle: Leviticus 19:18. This law is essentially a summary of the last six of the Ten Commandments. As we saw in the last chapter, God commands that we love everyone in this world with as much concern as we have for ourselves (Matthew 7:12).
That is the law of God! It always has been, and it always will be. The notion that “Old Testament law is harsh—New Testament law is loving” is wrong. In fact, a large part of Old Testament law gives numerous wonderful details of how to practice love and brotherhood among people.
The command forbidding murder is only the beginning. God’s law goes much further. It requires us not just to refrain from homicide, but to protect and look after our fellow man. The spirit of God’s law, as Herbert W. Armstrong described it, is of “love toward neighbor in the spirit of outgoing concern for neighbor’s welfare and good—of cooperation, serving, helping, sharing.” That spirit saturates the Old Testament.
This chapter and the next will explore several specific laws that are particularly relevant. However, we will also see this same principle of love toward neighbor magnified in later chapters concerning laws on welfare, business, employment, slavery, economy, government, judicial law and other subjects. These laws provide a blueprint for a wonderful, just and ethical society where everyone looks out for each other!
In the July 1983 Worldwide News, Mr. Armstrong said this about love toward neighbor: “You can apply that principle to any question of human conduct.” In His law, God has applied that principle to many specific questions regarding relations between people. These details help us understand just what it means to love your neighbor as yourself. Most of them, we can practice in our lives today—and reap the blessings that result. And though these laws primarily govern God’s people’s interactions with unconverted people in the world, God certainly expects us to also apply these principles with Spirit-begotten members in the Church.
The Value of Human Life
First, contemplate what Exodus 21:12 tells you about how serious God is about protecting human life. Consider first how this command illustrates that there is a difference between killing and murder. God actually commands killing in certain cases! Some people who think they are more righteous than God believe the death penalty is unjust, hypocritical and degrading to human life. But God says it actually shows the supremely high value of human life! It forcibly demonstrates how precious was the life of that innocent victim: It demands the severest of penalties for the one who stole it.
It is grotesque to think that God would demand the death penalty and then doom the murderer to hell forever. Surely that satanic doctrine itself is a horrible violation of God’s law of love! God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. But He demanded the death penalty, not only to put a murderer out of his misery, but also so others would hear and fear, serving as a deterrent to more innocent life being taken! But what happens to the murderer? Remember, the Bible reveals that unconverted people, including murderers who are executed, will be resurrected at the end of the Millennium. They will have the opportunity to repent—and ultimately to live forever (e.g. Revelation 20:11-12).
Interestingly, there is only one law that is repeated in all five of the books in the Pentateuch: God’s command to kill a murderer (e.g. Genesis 9:6; Exodus 21:12; Leviticus 24:17, 21; Numbers 35:16-18, 31; Deuteronomy 19:11-13).
Even God’s punishment for manslaughter—accidental killing—was severe: The killer had to completely uproot himself and move to a city of refuge, remaining there until the high priest died (Numbers 35). “Such a law certainly produced respect for life and made a man careful of the life of his fellow man,” wrote Howard Rand. “This law in operation today would reduce automobile accidents to a minimum. A driver of a car would be as careful of the life of another’s husband, wife, daughter and son as he would be of his own loved ones, for none would want to forfeit his freedom” (Digest of Divine Law).
To see the clear distinction God makes between the value of human life versus animal life, read Leviticus 24:21. Also, meditate on Exodus 21:28-32. (“Quit” in verse 28 means clear, or innocent.) Historical records show a stark contrast between God’s law and other ancient codes of law, many of which address the matter of an animal injuring or killing a human being. Only in God’s law was the animal subject to the death penalty and its flesh rendered unfit for human consumption.
This principle can also be seen in God’s punishment for theft. In most cases, someone who stole property was subject to a monetary penalty. However, read Exodus 21:16 to see the punishment for kidnapping a human being. In Babylonian law, the uppermost concern was to protect the property of the wealthy and powerful. In God’s law, the sanctity of a human life—which is formed in the image of God—was paramount.
Study verses 22-23 and meditate on how this law protects an unborn child in the womb. The New King James reads, “If men fight, and hurt a woman with child, so that she gives birth prematurely, yet no harm follows [no injury comes to the fetus] he shall surely be punished accordingly as the woman’s husband imposes on him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.” In this case, the perpetrator had only to pay damages for whatever inconvenience or hardship his unlawful act imposed on the parents. However, it continues, “But if any harm follows, then you shall give life for life.” In other words, if his actions caused the unborn child to die, then he was sentenced to death!
Do you accept the plain teaching of God’s law? This was God’s penalty for accidentally killing a fetus. So how does God view doctors who perform abortions, or people who counsel women to use that procedure, or the judges who declared it is “legal,” or politicians, lobbyists and activists who advocate such laws?
Hatred Is Illegal!
In the New Testament, Jesus said that hatred violates the spiritual intent of God’s command regarding murder (e.g. Matthew 5:21-22; see also 1 John 3:15). But did you realize that even the Old Testament law explicitly makes this point?
Read God’s clear law in the first half of Leviticus 19:17. “Moses’s law” is consistent with Christ’s teaching! The Old Testament forbids more than just murder—it forbids hatred in the heart! The spirit of God’s law has always existed! God has always been concerned about the thoughts in our heart. God’s law has always stood against hatred and the spirit of murder. The Old Testament laws that most people believe are done away” came from the same Lawgiver who wrote the New Testament! Whether in the ancient world or the modern world, God wants our hearts to be filled with love for people—not hate!
Someone’s in Trouble!
Read the second half of Leviticus 19:16. The unusual phrase here could refer to a couple of different things. One plausible explanation is that it forbids us to stand idly by when someone is in danger. When a human life is in peril, God’s law obligates us to help. Matthew Henry’s commentary says that according to the Jews, “Thou shalt not stand by and see thy brother in danger, but thou shalt come in to his relief and succour, though it be with the peril of thy own life or limb.”
Consider how this point is supported by Christ’s “parable of the good Samaritan” in Luke 10. Also study Proverbs 24:11-12. The Revised Standard translates this passage in Proverbs, “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not requite man according to his work?” God knows what we’re thinking. We must not look the other way when someone is in trouble!
This command certainly applies in physical circumstances when we see someone in danger, perhaps stranded on the side of the road or hurt. Obviously there is a limit, because there is no end of needy people in the world. Jesus Christ did what He could for unconverted people suffering around Him, but He didn’t indiscriminately and endlessly give charity. He was focused on ministering to people spiritually.
This law obligating us to help out when someone’s life is in danger is especially pertinent when we view it spiritually. “[Y]ou are to love your neighbor, but how? You could give him physical food, or you could give him $100 a week—there are a lot of ways. But those won’t solve any lasting problems,” Gerald Flurry wrote. “The most important way you love your neighbor is by offering or giving him spiritual food. None of his problems will ever be solved until he gets his spiritual life correct. If you study the prophecies of God, you understand that those physically hungry nations and people are going to multiply 10-fold and 100-fold if they don’t repent and heed this word or receive God’s spiritual food” (Royal Vision, July-August 2004; emphasis added).
This world is in danger, and many lives are about to be lost! We must do all we can to warn people of what is coming. Being complacent about doing this Work is not loving our neighbor. God’s love compels us to pour our hearts into His Work and get this warning message out!
Love Your Neighbor—by Rebuking Him?
Contemplate God’s command in the second half of Leviticus 19:17. This is an especially poignant example of how God’s law exposes the difference between false love and godly love. This law says that when we see someone committing sin, we should not just silently disapprove; we should not sit back in passive condemnation and think, Well, it’s his life, and he’ll get what’s coming to him. If what he is doing is serious enough to warrant condemnation, God wants us to step up and say something!
This is the love of God! God’s love confronts problems! Think on this truth as it is expressed in Proverbs 27:5-6.
The natural thought, especially in our anything-goes world, is that “love” means simply letting people mind their own business. But God says that those He loves, He rebukes and chastens! (Revelation 3:19; see also Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:5-11). Parents often prefer to “look the other way” and pretend not to see problems, but parents who love their children must correct them! A true friend confronts someone who is making a bad decision. A loving spouse comes out and challenges self-destructive behavior in his or her mate. It takes wisdom to do this correctly and effectively—but still, it must be done. Read Galatians 6:1 to see how the principle even applies among members of God’s Church. Study this verse to glean its advice on how to do it properly.
With people in the world, we have to exercise caution; this is a dangerous world, and some people are emotionally and mentally unstable. However, there certainly are times when God’s law says we should step up and rebuke someone who is in the wrong. If God is leading our minds, we will be able to use wisdom and be confident and bold in confronting evil in those situations.
Read Isaiah 58:1 and consider the principle of this command. If you think about it, this law is the basis of God’s Work today! This world is experiencing curses because of its sins—and God expects His people to explain that to them!
The New International Version translates the last part of Leviticus 19:17, “Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt.” In other words, in God’s eyes, a failure to confront someone’s sin means you bear part of the guilt of that sin! Read Ezekiel 33:1-9 to see God’s command to a watchman. This man is to warn the people of impending destruction. If he fails to do so and the people are killed, God holds the watchman accountable for murder! The spirit of the law demands speaking out for the sake of the people who are about to be killed! We are trying to become like God—to love people and to save life!
Read the millennial prophecy in Isaiah 30:19-21. As spirit beings, we will practice this law with human beings who begin to depart from God’s way.
Help for the Helpless
Look again at the great commandment in Leviticus 19:18. Now focus on the first half of the verse for two more specific laws illuminating this subject. The first of these is a command that some people would more typically associate with the New Testament regarding what to do if we feel we have been wronged in some way (e.g. Matthew 5:39; Romans 12:19). The second is clearly a law that governs our attitude, what is going on in our hearts. Again, we see beautiful consistency between Old and New Testaments. The spirit of God’s law has never changed.
The phrase “bear any grudge” means to cherish anger or hold on to feelings of ill will. How do you react when someone does you wrong? Do you keep this beautiful law of God? How much better off the world would be if people did!
Think about the principle of love contained in verse 14. This is talking about being especially sensitive toward and careful for the safety of the disadvantaged. It means not exploiting someone because of a handicap or inability; not adding affliction to the afflicted. A deaf person wouldn’t be able to hear you curse him. (This would include someone who isn’t present and can’t defend himself.) A blind person couldn’t recognize if you had put an obstacle before him. But God hears, and God sees! The person you are dealing with won’t avenge himself—but God will! He promises to defend the defenseless. He pays special attention to those who most need His help (e.g. Deuteronomy 10:17-18; 27:18-19; Psalm 68:5; Malachi 3:5). And He is your judge!
Again, the principle is to treat others as you want to be treated. This law prohibits a car mechanic from taking advantage of a customer who has no idea what’s inside his engine. It restrains a merchant from pawning off a defective product on an unsuspecting shopper. It forbids a teacher or other authority from knowingly giving bad information or counsel to a simpleton who doesn’t know any better. It warns us against doing anything that would cause a weaker person to stumble or sin. We must fear God enough to avoid oppressing the feeble.
“When we see weak people, we should not prey on them; we should do everything we can to help and serve them,” Mr. Flurry wrote in The God Family Vision. “That is the love of God; that is pure religion. We have to take care of those who cannot take care of themselves—that is our duty. The love of God is giving to those who can’t give anything in return. Your mind won’t be thinking the way of ‘get’ if you are giving to someone who can’t give anything back. That is the pure religion we so desperately need.”