Laws That Highlight Judicial Mercy And Fair Treatment

Was the Mosaic Law a rigid, unmerciful body of rules? Far from it! King David was inspired to write: "The Law of Jehovah is perfect." (Psalm 19:7) As he well knew, the Law promoted mercy and fair treatment. How did it do so?

In some lands today, the law seems to show more leniency and favor to the criminals than it does concern for the victims. For instance, thieves may spend time in prison. Meanwhile, the victims may still be without their goods, yet they have to pay taxes that house and feed such criminals. In ancient Israel, there were no prisons as we know them today. There were strict limits regarding the severity of punishments. (Deuteronomy 25:1-3) A thief had to compensate the victim for what had been stolen. In addition, the thief had to make further payment. How much? It varied. Evidently, the judges were given latitude to weigh a number of factors, such as the sinners repentance. That would explain why the compensation required from a thief according to Leviticus 6:1-7 is far less than specified at Exodus 22:7.

The Law mercifully acknowledged that not all wrongs are deliberate. For example, when a man killed someone by accident, he did not have to pay soul for soul if he took the right action by fleeing to one of the cities of refuge scattered throughout Israel. After qualified judges examined his case, he had to reside in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Then he would be free to live wherever he chose. Thus he benefited from divine mercy. At the same time, this law emphasized the great value of human life. -Numbers 15:30, 31; 35:12-25.

The Law safeguarded personal rights. Consider the ways in which it protected those in debt. The Law forbade entry into a debtor's home to seize property as security for a loan. Rather, a creditor had to remain outside and allow the debtor to bring the security to him. Thus a man's home was held inviolate. If the creditor took the debtor's outer garment as a pledge, he had to return it by nightfall, for the debtor likely needed it to keep warm at night. -Deuteronomy 24:10-14.

Even warfare was regulated under the Law. God's people were to wage war, not to satisfy mere lust for power, or to conquest, but to act as God's agents in "Wars of Jehovah." (Numbers 21:14) In many cases, the Israelites had to offer terms of surrender first. if a city rejected the offer, then Israel could besiege it-but according to God's rules. Unlike many soldiers throughout history, men in Israel's army were not allowed to rape women or engage in wanton slaughter. They were to respect the environment, not felling the enemies fruit trees. Other armies had no such restrictions. -Deuteronomy 20:10-15, 19, 20; 21:10-13.

Next time: The conclusion of Laws That Highlight Judicial Mercy And Fair Treatment

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002