As we continue our study in the Sermon on the Mount we will address the eye for eye law. First, this stipulation did not originate in the Bible. It is found in the ancient code known as Hammurabi and the Law of Eshnunnah which date back to the time of Abraham, at around 1800 B.C. It was a law understood to be applied in a physical manner: that is, if one hits another in the eye, he would be hit in the eye. It was designed to protect the higher classes, resulting in the lower classes being mistreated.
For instance, this law prescribed that if one had destroyed the eye of a member of the aristocracy, they would then destroy the assailant’s eye. If, as a result of faulty construction, one’s house collapsed and killed its owner, then the builder is put to death; the eye for eye was applied to the letter.
But then came the law of the Lord, the Mosaic Law which carried this concept in another direction, now applying mercy and reason to make the punishment fit the crime. The eye for eye now meant there was no more abuse, and the punishment was no longer physical but monetary. Here both the victim and the offender were protected. Only the death penalty was kept in certain instances when it came to physical harm.
If, for example, one broke another person’s bone, he would then need to pay for the damages, so that the victim would not suffer for lack of work. If one stole something, the law protected the thief in that the victim did not have the right to enter that person’s house and take whatever he wanted. Instead, the law prescribed a just and proportionate return for the stolen items, plus a percentage. The law of God limited revenge and allowed for fair payback. This is what is behind the biblical concept of the eye for eye and it became a beautiful one.
Let’s look at an example of the eye for eye from the Mosaic Law. In Deut. 24:10-11 the law of lending money is given, “When you lend your brother anything, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge. You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge out to you.“ The fact that one owes someone else something does not give that someone else the right to come into his house and take it on his own: Stand outside, God says.
There was a problem back in the first century. The biblical approach concerning the eye for eye concept was lost. It digressed to a similar level like that of the Hammurabi concept where it became a means for personal revenge, demanding greater and greater punishment.
Josephus, a prominent historian of the time tells us that at that time, the verdict was often given to the victim to decide. He writes that they would physically deprive anyone of the same member of which he hath deprived the other, unless he that is maimed will accept money in exchange (Jewish Antiquities 4.280). This means the victim would decide whether the bones of the assailant should be broken or whether financial compensation should be given instead.
But Yeshua comes and brings them back to the fair and loving concept of the Mosaic Law and carries it to a much higher level by stating that one should give the other cheek when slapped, emphasizing forgiveness while letting the governing authorities apply the law.
Slapping one in the face was a criminal offense. And see how Yeshua really stresses the slap, and the hurt one might have been victim of.
He specifies that one gets slapped on the right cheek. Now in order to slap someone on the right cheek, the slapper would have to use the back of his right hand, which makes the offense even more insulting. In this case, even the Talmud doubles the payments if payments are opted for (Mishnah 4.1.8.6). At this point, the slap does not hurt anyone, but the pride of the victim was greatly injured.
But now, how can we come to this level of accepting such persecution in the name of love? Just keep your eyes on Yeshua. He was slapped, and yet He did not open His mouth. In fact, He did not even appeal to the Law in order that He could die for us. In Isaiah 50:6 we read Him say, I gave My back to those who strike Me, And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard; I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.
And this is what happened as Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us. Together, the three Gospels record five instances where he was abused in such a way: Matthew says; Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him. (Matthew 26: 67, 27:30, Mark 14: 65, 15:19, Luke 22: 63)
He did not say a word in His defense. He did not use His mighty powers to apply justice because in that turning of the cheek, He accomplished the greatest act of justice, justifying us so that we may receive mercy instead of judgment. And so, He gave His other cheek. Now He asks us; can you give your other cheek for a much lesser offense?
And to top off what was given, we are now offered, beginning in Matthew 6:9-15, a divine pattern for prayer. It is called the Lord’s prayer, but it is not His prayer. It is a prayer designed for us and one which includes all that we need to know to walk a proper life with God. Yeshua’s prayer could be found in John 17, where He prays for us; the most moving prayer ever.
Now in preparation for this prayer of Matthew 6, the Lord sets some great truths about speaking to God, for this is what prayer is. Just before giving us this divine design of prayer, He tells us in Matthew 6:6, “But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. This is where prayer starts.
Here Yeshua is comparing public prayers with personal prayers and speaking to all believers, He begins the verse with the words but you, when you pray, go to your inner room. Choose a place: the inner room mentioned here is one without any windows, meaning without any distractions, so that we can concentrate on our time with God, and so this place becomes our temple, where we meet God. And notice the twice repeated word secret, as your Father who is in the secret place thus emphasizing the very close relationship between you and God. This is then where the beginning of a great relationship with God begins.
This is the time when we learn to experience the presence of God; how else would we recognize Him if we don’t spend time with Him? Remember this verse in Romans 8:26 where the Spirit inspired these powerful words, For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. This verse tells us that the Spirit of God helps us in our prayer and teaches us what to say and how to say it. The more we do pray, the more we will recognize His presence, and the faster we will perceive and recall His voice when He speaks to us, when He wants to tell us His will on different matters. This is why personal prayer is so vital in our growth.
Click Here for the Teaching: The Sermon on the Mount – Part 3