"The Law of Jehovah Is Perfect" - 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 the 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 sinner's repentance.  That would explain why the compensation  required from a thief according to Leviticus 6:1-7 is far less than that 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.



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From the book: Draw Close to Jehovah