Topical Bible: Murder: Represented As a Sin Crying to Heaven

◄ Murder: Represented As a Sin Crying to Heaven ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Murder, the unlawful and premeditated taking of human life, is consistently portrayed in the Bible as a grievous sin that cries out to heaven for justice. From the earliest chapters of Genesis, the sanctity of human life is underscored, and the act of murder is depicted as an offense that demands divine retribution.

Biblical Foundations

The first recorded murder in the Bible is that of Abel by his brother Cain. This act of fratricide is not only a personal tragedy but also a cosmic offense. In Genesis 4:10 , God confronts Cain, saying, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground." This passage illustrates the belief that the blood of the innocent victim calls out to God, demanding justice and reparation.

The Sanctity of Life

The Bible emphasizes the inherent value of human life, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This divine image bestows a sacredness upon human life, making the act of murder not only a crime against the individual but also an affront to God Himself. In Genesis 9:6 , God declares, "Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man his blood will be shed; for in His own image God has made mankind." This establishes the principle of divine justice and the seriousness with which God views the shedding of innocent blood.

The Ten Commandments

The prohibition against murder is enshrined in the Ten Commandments, where it is succinctly stated, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13). This commandment underscores the moral and legal boundaries set by God for His people, reflecting His desire for a just and orderly society.

Prophetic Condemnation

Throughout the prophetic writings, murder is condemned as a sin that defiles the land and incurs divine wrath. The prophets often speak against the shedding of innocent blood, highlighting its role in the moral decay of society. In Jeremiah 7:6 , God warns the people, "If you do not oppress the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not follow other gods to your own harm, then I will let you live in this place, in the land I gave to your fathers forever and ever."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the commandment against murder, addressing the heart's intentions. In Matthew 5:21-22 , He teaches, "You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Here, Jesus emphasizes that the root of murder—anger and hatred—is equally culpable before God.

The Call for Justice

The cry for justice in the face of murder is a recurring theme in Scripture. The Book of Revelation speaks of the souls of the martyrs, who have been slain for their testimony, crying out for justice. Revelation 6:10 records their plea: "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?"

Conclusion

Murder, as depicted in the Bible, is a sin that transcends human justice systems, reaching the ears of God Himself. It is a violation of the divine order, a breach of the sacredness of life, and a call for divine intervention. The biblical narrative consistently affirms that God hears the cries of the innocent and will ultimately bring justice to those who have been wronged.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 4:10
And he said, What have you done? the voice of your brother's blood cries to me from the ground.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 12:24
And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things that that of Abel.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 6:10
And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... Adam was our federal head; he represented us; and when ... was burdened with an awful
sense of sin, and thought ... every crime in the catalogue except murder; and if ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... Millions in bondage to sin, slaves of Satan ... parable of the unfruitful tree represented
God's dealings ... was suspicion, envy, hatred, strife, rebellion, murder. ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... Millions in bondage to sin, slaves of Satan ... parable of the unfruitful tree represented
God's dealings ... was suspicion, envy, hatred, strife, rebellion, murder. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

It Shall not be Forgiven.
... he knew could only be suggested"not represented"in the ... It is spiritual murder, the
worst, to hate, to brood ... Of this nature must the sin against the Holy ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/it shall not be forgiven.htm

The Exodus
... Abraham would have been guilty of murder in taking ... true-born Egyptians""heirs of
sin and children ... These people are represented amongst us by certain persons ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exodus.htm

Matt. Ii. 16
... 3. "But what kind of sin had these children," it may be ... Why, it even drops human
gore, and looks murder, and is fiercer ... is represented in the marginal note.--R ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily ix matt ii 16.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... as far as Jehu is concerned, it is open murder." But yet ... Baasha, is, in 2 Kings
10:30, 31, represented as his ... ways of Jeroboam, and in his making Israel to sin. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

The Late Work of God in North America
... Son of God hath power on earth to forgive sin. ... And brought on murder, sprang from
wanton ease." " Edit ... saw and pressed their advantage; they represented it as ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 131 the late work.htm

Faustus Repels the Charge of Sun-Worship
... salvation of men, why should this Saviour be represented by whatever ... as with a hot
iron, [743] calling murder what the ... If this was not a sin in Him, because He ...
/.../faustus repels the charge of.htm

Chapter iv
... by the rendering "spilt blood." This is represented as crying ... as to the enormity
of the curse of murder by the ... is the other argument that God allows sin to run ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm