Did the jews not understand the levitical laws?

[xdisciplex]

In Leviticus God tells them this "an eye for an eye" stuff and they obey it and this leads to them taking revenge upon each other and it never ends. And then Jesus comes and tells them to turn their cheek. Why does God first of all give such a commandment and later he changes it?
And what does "turn your cheek" even mean? Does this mean that you have to allow others to treat you like dirt and you simply tolerate it?
Some christians even say if somebody attacked them and tried to kill them they would not defend themselves. How silly is this? I simply refuse to believe that this is what Jesus meant. If somebody tried to kill me and it's either him or me I would of course try to kill him before he kills me.

 

[drfuss]

In Leviticus God tells them this "an eye for an eye" stuff and they obey it and this leads to them taking revenge upon each other and it never ends. And then Jesus comes and tells them to turn their cheek. Why does God first of all give such a commandment and later he changes it?
And what does "turn your cheek" even mean? Does this mean that you have to allow others to treat you like dirt and you simply tolerate it?
Some christians even say if somebody attacked them and tried to kill them they would not defend themselves. How silly is this? I simply refuse to believe that this is what Jesus meant. If somebody tried to kill me and it's either him or me I would of course try to kill him before he kills me.

The "eye for an eye" stuff pertains to thier civil type laws. What the Jews missed was: the "love the Lord, love your neighbor and rejoice in the Lord" stuff which is throughout the book of Duet.

 

[Scarlett O.]

Again, you are way off base here.......

In Leviticus God tells them this "an eye for an eye" stuff...

Why don't we not call the Word of God, "stuff", and actually quote the passages you are talking about so that we can answer your question.

Exodus 21:23-24..."But if there is serious injury (causing the death of a pregnant woman), you are to take life for life, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wouldn for wound, bruise for bruise."

Leviticus 24:17-18..."If anyone takes the life of a human being, he must be put to death Anyone who takes the life of someone's animal must make restitution.....(verse 20)...fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth."

If you look at the context of these verses, God is talking about legal restitution, NOT revenge. These passages talk about when a killing is considered murder and when it is considered accidental death and what to do in each case under the umbrella of the law.

These verses in no way, shape, or form are talking about revenge or getting even with someone when you think you have been wronged. These laws and verses are actually protection against people who want to go around practicing vigilanty justice. God makes provisions for the death penalty and when to apply and when not to apply it and how far someone should make financial restitution and other types of restitution.

....and they obey it and this leads to them taking revenge upon each other and it never ends.

Try reading the passages in their entirety and know that your interpretation of what God was saying to His people is not only off the mark, but just the opposite of what you are saying.

And then Jesus comes and tells them to turn their cheek.

Yes, He did.

Matthew 5:39..."But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Why does God first of all give such a commandment and later he changes it?

He didn't change anything.

These two passages are not contradictory statements. They are complimentary statements.

And what does "turn your cheek" even mean? Does this mean that you have to allow others to treat you like dirt and you simply tolerate it?

Jesus is talking about not seeking revenge nor evil from someone by misinterpreting the Old Testament law (He refers to it in verse 38.)

Jesus isn't disagreeing with God. He is saying that sometimes we think that we deserve to have restitution made to us, but we just need to blow it off and move on and get over it.

He isn't necessarily talking about literally or physical blows to your face. He is talking about not seeking revenge and making rational decisions as to what is worth fighting with someone about and what isn't.

Many times, we gripe about being wronged and maybe we have been wronged, but in some instances we should not all those revengeful thoughts to direct our lives.

Some christians even say if somebody attacked them and tried to kill them they would not defend themselves.

If that's true, then that person is just as misguided about Jesus' words as you are about both of these passages. Jesus isn't saying to allow someone to harm you or your family. He is saying that if possible, just walk away, move on, and allow something else other than revenge to take root in your heart.

There is a wonderful passage in Proverbs that speaks to both of the passages and it helps interpret them both.

Proverbs 19:11..."A man's wisdom give him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense."

God gave strict instructions in quite lengthy passages in two separate books of the bible as to what kind of legal and lawful restitution could made when people grievously wrong other people.

Jesus fulfilled the spirit of that law and said to be careful that you don't allow restitution to turn into revenge.

King Solomon said that we are made glorious if we can know the difference.

 

[Eric B]

And also, "turn the other cheek" was in the context of the persecution the disciples would be facing from both the Jews and the Romans. It does not mean being a doormat for us today, though of course, we should not be brawlers.

 

[BobRyan]

In Leviticus God tells them this "an eye for an eye" stuff and they obey it and this leads to them taking revenge upon each other and it never ends. And then Jesus comes and tells them to turn their cheek. Why does God first of all give such a commandment and later he changes it?
And what does "turn your cheek" even mean? Does this mean that you have to allow others to treat you like dirt and you simply tolerate it?
Some christians even say if somebody attacked them and tried to kill them they would not defend themselves. How silly is this? I simply refuse to believe that this is what Jesus meant. If somebody tried to kill me and it's either him or me I would of course try to kill him before he kills me.

Spritual Laws and Civil Laws for the nation were two different things.

You can not place someone in jail - or fine them some amount because they did not "turn the other cheek". That would be an unjust system of government.

Individual spiritual and moral codes of conduct can not always be used as a civil law.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[Claudia_T]

In Leviticus God tells them this "an eye for an eye" stuff and they obey it and this leads to them taking revenge upon each other and it never ends. And then Jesus comes and tells them to turn their cheek. Why does God first of all give such a commandment and later he changes it?

The truth about God is something that has progressively been given to people over time. Its kind of like that you dont get someone who has been dwelling in a cave in total darkness and then shine a flashlight in his face...

Prov:4:18: But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

NOTICE that the idea is that this new revelation Jesus is giving is showing us what the Father is truly like...

Matthew 5:
38: Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40: And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41: And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42: Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46: For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47: And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48: Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.


Now read this, Jesus did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it, He came to DEMONSTRATE THE REALITY OF THE LAW. Isa:42:21: The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable:

Matthew 5:17:
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18: For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20: For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
21: Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.


The Jews didnt understand the underlyhing foundation of the Law. It has always been Love God (first 4 commandments) and love your neighbor (last 6 commandments).

Mt:23:23: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.


Its not really that God has changed any. It has been a progressive revelation. Jms:1:17: Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

 

[billwald]

The Mosaic Covenant was a civil code for the Land of Israel. The punishments were always interpreted as maximums and not requirements.

 

[dispen4ever]

xdx you aren't interpreting that eye-for-eye scripture correctly. Read what Scarlett has to say about it. Relax, have a great day tomorrow. :flower: