How does Exodus 21:28 emphasize accountability for one's property and actions? The Verse at a Glance “If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull must be stoned…” (Exodus 21:28) Immediate Setting • Part of the civil regulations given at Sinai, following the Ten Commandments • A real-life example of how God’s law guarded human life and set clear consequences • Verse 29 (noted but not quoted) heightens liability when prior danger is known Layers of Accountability Spelled Out • Life is sacred—any threat to it, even by an animal, demands swift justice • The animal is destroyed; the owner’s responsibility is assessed—showing God distinguishes intent and negligence • No sale, consumption, or profit from the animal’s meat; wrongdoing must not be rewarded • The owner is spared liability only when no prior warning existed, highlighting fairness in judgment (cf. Exodus 21:29 for repeat offenses) Timeless Principles • Stewardship: Property is never morally neutral; owners answer for its impact (Genesis 9:5) • Personal responsibility: Negligence that harms others defies the love-your-neighbor ethic (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 13:9–10) • Justice tempered with equity: Penalty fits knowledge and intent, modeling true fairness (Proverbs 11:1) Practical Takeaways for Today • Maintain what you own—vehicles, pets, tools, even online platforms—so none become hazards • Plan ahead for foreseeable risks (Deuteronomy 22:8’s roof parapet principle) • Accept consequences when negligence causes harm; repentance includes restitution (Luke 19:8) • Champion community safety: protecting others’ lives honors God’s high view of every image-bearer Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 22:8—build safeguards to prevent bloodshed • Proverbs 24:11—rescue those being led away to death • Galatians 6:2—carry one another’s burdens, which includes preventing needless harm • 1 Timothy 5:8—care for those under your roof; responsible oversight is basic godliness Exodus 21:28 therefore underscores a divine expectation: every believer must keep possessions and actions under loving, vigilant control, because human life—made in God’s image—deserves nothing less. |
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