What God Expects of Us w.r.t. A Mysterious Murder

[ photo courtesy nbcnews.com ]

The Law of Unknown Murder -- Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Whoever would have thought that God's people have a responsibility with respect to murders in their land that can't be solved by Sherlock Holmes or Jessica Fletcher? But it seems that the first nine verses of Deuteronomy chapter 20 seem to indicate that we do. Or at least that the Israelites settling in their new land of milk and honey had. And by extension, maybe, just maybe, there is a principle or two for us Christians to follow today.

The Israelites were told that if they found someone slain (murdered) and no one knew who had done it, there was still a guilt of innocent blood in their midst that had to be removed.

So they first had to determine which city was closest to the murder scene (if indeed the body was not found within a city already). This is the original case of establishing 'jurisdiction' and for those that follow crime cases, you know that jurisdiction is central to who can officially work on the ensuing investigation. But did you know that God had introduced that principle thousands of years ago?

Then the elders of that city had to select a young heifer from their herd (one that hat not been worked or under a yoke) and take it down to a valley with running water, which had not been plowed or sown. And there they were to kill the heifer by breaking its neck.

The priests of the city would then come by and bless the whole thing, as a sacrifice but not an actual sacrifice (see next paragraph), after which the elders who had done the killing would wash their hands (with water) over the dead heifer and utter, "Our hands have not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it." In essence, as Guzik suggests, they were saying, "We have done all we could to determine who the murderer was in order to avenge this shedding of blood, but we were unable to."  He also points out that had they not done everything, then this act of theirs was a mere empty gesture similar to Pilate's washing of his hands at the trial of Jesus (Matthew 27:24).

With respect to this being a sacrifice, Matthew Henry says, "This was not a sacrifice (for it was not brought to the altar), but a solemn protestation that thus they would put the murderer to death if they had him in their hands."

Robert Jamieson adds some very colorful and interesting commentary on the whole process and its purpose:

"They reported to the nearest town to the spot where the body was found. An order was then issued by their supreme authority to the elders or magistrates of that town, to provide the heifer at the civic expense and go through the appointed ceremonial. The engagement of the public authorities in the work of expiation, the purchase of the victim heifer, the conducting it to a 'rough valley' which might be at a considerable distance, and which, as the original implies, was a wady, a perennial stream, in the waters of which the polluting blood would be wiped away from the land, and a desert withal, incapable of cultivation; the washing of the hands, which was an ancient act symbolical of innocence--the whole of the ceremonial was calculated to make a deep impression on the Jewish, as well as on the Oriental, mind generally."

Most interesting indeed. The principle for us to note is that this was done at the command of the local authorities. This is how local governments are supposed to operate -- under God and in accordance with His laws and commands. We have strayed far from that today.

And then the elders, in their prayer, continued with a request of God . . . 

"Forgive Your people Israel whom You have redeemed, O Lord, and do not place the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of Your people Israel."

Then Moses says, "And the blood guiltiness would be forgiven them."

Guzik comments: "When Israel followed God's instructions for atonement, He honored His word by taking away their guilt. But the removal of guilt was always based on blood sacrifice, on a substitutionary atonement - looking forward to the work of Jesus on the cross for the entire world."

The passage ends by Moses saying that this is how they were to remove the guilt of innocent blood from among them if they do what he instructed which is right in the eyes of the Lord.

So, what are the lessons for us? Here's my take; maybe you can share yours or comment on mine.

1. We are to be aware of what is going on in our community and can't just turn a blind eye to events that don't concern us -- for ultimately they do.

2. We are to see to it that our local authorities carry out their responsibility to victims of crime and to the community.

3. We are to be mindful of our responsibility in the crime itself if we, by our indifference, have played a role in allowing our community to fall into such disrepair or decay, making crimes like this are easy to commit.

4. We must seek God's forgiveness for same.

5. We are to look forward to the day when there will be no more shedding of innocent blood because of Christ's sacrifice and God's plan for mankind. May that day come in His good time.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.