Topical Bible: Murder: Persons Guilty of Flee from God's Presence

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Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of a human life, is a grievous sin that has been condemned since the earliest narratives of the Bible. The act of murder not only violates the sanctity of life, which is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), but also results in a profound spiritual and moral separation from God. Throughout Scripture, individuals guilty of murder often find themselves fleeing from the presence of the Lord, illustrating the deep chasm that sin creates between humanity and the divine.

Cain

The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain. After Cain's offering was rejected by God, he became envious and angry, leading him to commit the first murder. Genesis 4:8-10 recounts, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is your brother Abel?' 'I do not know,' he answered. 'Am I my brother’s keeper?'"

Following this act, Cain is cursed and becomes a fugitive and wanderer on the earth. Genesis 4:16 states, "So Cain went out from the presence of the LORD and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden." Cain's departure from God's presence signifies the spiritual exile that results from his sin, highlighting the alienation and restlessness that accompany the guilt of murder.

David

King David, though a man after God's own heart, also experienced the spiritual consequences of murder. In a moment of weakness, David orchestrated the death of Uriah the Hittite to cover up his adultery with Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11:14-15 describes David's plan: "In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In the letter he wrote: 'Put Uriah in the front line where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw from him, so he will be struck down and die.'"

David's sin led to a period of estrangement from God, marked by personal turmoil and divine judgment. Psalm 51, a psalm of repentance, reveals David's deep remorse and desire to be restored to God's presence: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51:10-11).

Moses

Moses, the great leader and prophet of Israel, also committed murder in his early life. Exodus 2:11-12 recounts, "One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his own people and observed their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. After looking this way and that and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid his body in the sand."

Fearing the consequences of his actions, Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, effectively removing himself from the life he had known in Egypt. Exodus 2:15 states, "When Pharaoh heard about this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and settled in the land of Midian, where he sat down by a well." Moses' flight represents both a physical and spiritual journey, as he later encounters God in the burning bush and is called to lead the Israelites out of bondage.

Conclusion

The biblical accounts of Cain, David, and Moses illustrate the profound impact of murder on one's relationship with God. Each narrative underscores the theme of separation and the need for repentance and reconciliation. These accounts serve as a sobering reminder of the gravity of taking a life and the spiritual consequences that follow.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 4:16
And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelled in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Cities of Refuge
... unintentional homicide, and for him only, Deliberate murder had no ... They were not
harbours for the guilty, but asylums ... and as such were the fit persons to cast ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the cities of refuge.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... he arose, that he to Tarshish might Flee from God's ... Where more than six score thousand
persons dwell, Who ... to persuade them to desist From murder, saying, Into ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm

A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
... that no smell of fire remained on their persons or garments ... entry to trouble them,
yea, further to murder, in my ... to consider; for they shall be guilty, not only ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /a sermon on isaiah xxvi.htm

Unimpeachable Justice
... knew the Lord, was to think about certain persons with whom ... rocks to fall upon you,
if you were not guilty. ... There may be no murder staining the page, but there ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/unimpeachable justice.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... them observe and follow must have been persons of special ... being party to the persecution
and murder of Christians. ... Not only are they guilty of such living, but ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

The Last Years of Knox: 1567-1572
... the murder of Darnley"not the murder at Kirk ... old religion." {269d} "Without exception
of persons, great or ... on a trial; the Queen had never been found guilty. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xviii the last years.htm

The Preface to the Commandments
... with the sixth commandment, making murder meritorious in ... were gross idolaters; they
were guilty of that ... what a prodigy of wickedness do some persons come after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 3 the preface to the.htm

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... One may be guilty of pride and not see his own ... Such persons do not realize they are
acting in opposition to God ... he may not kill you again, and murder your souls ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

Righteous Hatred
... evil, though not vindictive against the persons who commit ... murderer; and I felt myself
most guilty while I ... it is necessary that men who commit murder should be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/righteous hatred.htm

The Life of Mr. John Knox.
... called him before them, and charged him as guilty of high ... of the massacre of
Paris[34], and the murder of the ... in my heart, I never hated the persons of those ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john.htm