Laws in Exodus 21

[Malperdy]

The Laws in Exodus chapter 21, which follow directly after the Ten Commandments in Chapter 20, mention very harsh punishments for such offences as cursing one’s parents which warrants the death penalty. This seems to be at odds with the Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill. Similarly, Exodus 21: 1-7 suggests that buying and selling of servants (and children) is permitted. This seems to be at odds with the Seventh Commandment: You shall not steal, inasmuch as personal liberty is being stolen. These Laws are written in Exodus as being spoken by God. They seem abhorrent to us today. Did they come from God, or is there some other explanation for their being stated the way they are? Do they clash with the Ten Commandments?

Apologies if these questions have been asked and answered before in the forum.

 

[Pete_1]

The laws also permitted divorce, which Jesus condemmed
Matthew 19:8 Jesus replied, "Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.

possibly this applies to some of the other laws

 

[Malperdy]

Thanks, Pete.
I am puzzled as to why the rules and regulations in Exodus 21 are represented as God speaking to Moses. “These are the laws you are to set before them.” I could understand if the laws originated with Moses in an effort to control the people at that time, but in the Bible the Laws are written as being direct instructions from God, like the Ten Commandments. Which are we to believe, they were devised by Moses, or devised by God?

 

[Ne_OrangeKnight]

The Laws in Exodus chapter 21, which follow directly after the Ten Commandments in Chapter 20, mention very harsh punishments for such offences as cursing one’s parents which warrants the death penalty. This seems to be at odds with the Fifth Commandment: You shall not kill.

As you may have heard, that Commandment is better rendered: “Thou shalt not murder.” The taking of innocent life is to be abhorred. Criminals are, by definition, not innocent. Plus, all such people are warned about it beforehand; when they committed such grievous sins, they knew full well what they were doing. It would have been on their heads.

Sam, the Neon Orange Knight