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Deuteronomy 21:1-9 – #59 Praying through the Bible – A Prayer for Innocence Among Murderers
Around 40% of all murders in the USA go unsolved. That’s 6,000 murders per year where the authorities are unable to bring closure and justice. No doubt these numbers vary yearly, and city to city. No doubt such is a stain on the moral standing of a nation and a destroyer of hope among the surviving loved ones. Deuteronomy 21.1-9 presents the murder scene where a victim is found lying in a field. Culpability is unknown, but there is a responsibility that will be taken. A greater stain upon a nation’s soul would be when murder is no longer murder and no one cares.
Upon discovery of a corpse, the elders of the nearby cities measure which is the closest (21.2-3). The reason is unstated in the inspired text, but the Mishna discusses two possible reasons. One reason is to show the nearest city is not guilty of harboring a guilty person living freely among them. Another explanation is to declare the nearest city is not responsible of failing to protect the innocent. Once jurisdiction is determined, the elders of that city must bring a never yoked cow down to a continually flowing stream, to a place not tilled or sown, and break the cow’s neck by the stream (21.3-4). Breaking the neck, instead of slitting the throat, was considered more shocking to those who would see the carcass. Amidst the guilt, the setting is one of purity, unspoiled by humans, symbolizing innocence. All the elders will declare and pray, “Our hands did not shed this blood; our eyes did not see it. LORD, forgive Your people Israel You redeemed, and do not hold the shedding of innocent blood against them” (21.7-8). The purpose was to absolve of responsibility, to purge from themselves the guilt of shedding innocent blood (21.8-9). Sometimes a declaration of innocence is as important as a denunciation of guilt. Not surprisingly and yet sadly, the Mishna records the procedure ceased when crimes of murder multiplied to such a degree that the ritual was no longer feasible. Too many unsolved murders.
Then there is the stain of murders not called murder. Ancient cultures discarded babies by exposure (Acts 7.19). Modern cultures legally don’t wait until birth. According to the Centers for Disease Control, since 1973, which is the year of Roe vs. Wade, roughly 50 million legal “murders” have been performed in the United States: 25.9% want to postpone childbearing; 21.3% cannot afford a child; 14.1% has issues with partner; 12.2% too young or parent(s) or other(s) object to pregnancy; 10.8% don’t want to disrupt education or job; 7.9% want no (more) children. These murders go unsolved because they are legal. There is a sacrifice that has been made for these too, if they are willing to accept it.
Prayer Challenge: Pray for our nation that God will not punish us for the guilt of others because we failed to protect the innocent. Pray also for those guilty, that the gospel will change the hearts of those who kill the innocent.
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