Saturday, January 7, 2012

What the Bible Says About the Death Penalty

    Today’s Reading:
  • Genesis 8:1-10:32
  • Proverbs 1:20-23
Read Bible Passages Online

Genesis 8:1-10:32
It’s amazing how 3 short chapters can supply such a diverse range of topics – from the recession of the flood waters, to punishment of murderers, followed by the curse of Canaan, and finally ending with the re-population of all the nations and the people of the earth. It’s hard to imagine being stuck in a boat (even a large one) for over a year. I mean, they had faith, we know that. They were shown first hand. But it still has to be a bit testy to sit in that boat day after day; night after night. I know they had faith … but they also had to have doubts some of those times, don’t you think?

I no longer have any doubt of the righteousness of the death penalty after reading 9:5-6. God specifically told us that anyone who takes another person’s life will (and should) have their own life taken by human hands. He also says that any animals who kill a person must be killed. So for all those dogs, alligators, bears, whatever – if they kill a person, let the hunt begin. And for those of you who deliberately murder -- an eye for an eye. I don’t say I get enjoyment from finding this to be the case, and I’ve always kept a neutral opinion on the subject, until now. But wow! Two short verses can make my mind up on such a debated subject!

Isn’t the bible just chalked full of the most powerful information? Why haven’t I read it before? I love the lineage lines, and how everything is tracked, down to the nationality of the people. I think I need to be much more of a scholar to truly appreciate and track the lineage. I can certainly see how one can spend their entire life studying the bible, yet still learn new things all the time!

Proverbs 1:20-23
These verses refers to people who refuse wisdom and knowledge as simpleminded fools. Isn’t that the truth? There is an overflow of knowledge in this world, and unfortunately misinformation also runs rampant. I don’t care if a person has a strong opinion, as long as they base it on fact and knowledge, and not on what other people tell them. It kills me to see what people believe because they are too lazy to look up the information themselves and make an informed decision. Make up your own mind. Pursue wisdom. Don’t become a simpleminded fool.

Conclusion
I'm only a few days into my studies and already I’m so interested that I keep thinking about how I’m going to study the bible in a different way as soon as I'm done reading it through this way. I think I’ve discovered a new life passion, one that will never leave me -- and that is to study the bible. There are so many depths to it that I don’t think I can ever view it enough different ways. I think there will always be new, interesting angles to pursue.

1 comment:

George said...

The Bible leaves some great guidelines for people's daily lives. There are parts that I have found hard to take literally, like putting all the animals onto the Ark. I like to think of it as an allegory. People willing to spend that much time on a boat to server a higher purpose is in a different league altogether than what faith I see in my daily lives. It is quite awe inspiring.