Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you and someone else just can't seem to agree? We've all been there! It's like you're both looking at the same picture, but your interpretations couldn't be more different. That's when we often use the expression "we don't see eye to eye."
There is another expression that you might hear when you want justice and it’s “eye for an eye”.
According to Collins Dictionary we say 'an eye for an eye'…to refer to the idea that people should be punished according to the way in which they offended, for example if they hurt someone, they should be hurt equally badly in return.
Synonyms: retaliation, justice, revenge, vengeance.
“An eye for an eye”
Do you know the entire quote? And are you familiar with the context in which it was said? I did not, and I thought the entire quote was, “an eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth”.
But there is much more to this quote and, as the month of July would have it, we are going to the Bible for this idiom.
Moses, Aaron, and Mariam are trying to lead millions of people through the wilderness after leaving the slavery of Egypt. Nothing about this trip is easy and rules and regulations must be put in place, including laws and rules regarding slaves and laws about restitution. Read Exodus chapter 21 for the full story.
For instance, “if a man willfully attacks another to kill him by cunning, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.” Verse 14.
15 “Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.
16 “Whoever steals a man and sells him, and anyone found in possession of him, shall be put to death.
17 “Whoever curses[dishonors]his father or his mother shall be put to death.
And then we get down to verses 22-25, the source of today’s idiom, and it’s all about the consequences of harming a pregnant woman.
“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” ESV
Life for life; eye for eye; tooth for tooth; hand for hand; foot for foot; burn for burn; wound for wound; stripe for stripe.
Wow! This is so fascinating to me. It’s harsh and yet it was law back in the day.
What can we learn from this ancient idiom?
I think we are reminded how precious life is to our Heavenly Creator and the importance of caring for one another.
It's not just about paying back for harm; it's about finding understanding and making amends.
So, let's be compassionate, seek reconciliation, and never revenge. Show compassion and empathy. Walk in the shoes of Jesus. Let His teachings resonate within us.
And just as He preached the value of every life and the power of forgiveness, we too must walk the walk AND talk the talk.
As you walk through your day, remember the profound lessons Jesus imparted: to love one another, to treat others as we wish to be treated, and to turn away from vengeance.
by Jeanette Stark – Friday, July 28, 2023
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