CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
or
The 6th COMMANDMENT
Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13)
  All errors of the thoughts and reasoning of mankind stems from a basic root: unbelief. This is how the natural man judges all issues, all ideas, all concepts, every action, and every thought in ‘there is no god.’ By removing God from his small mind he can then justify himself and others. This is the root of ALL error. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29) The Lord Jesus was very concise and clear in that mankind errs because they refuse to acknowledge the power of God in all things. This also includes the power of God to write a book (the Scriptures) and the power to keep and maintain HIS Book. Since, in the small minds of mankind, God does not exist then it becomes a smaller step to ignore or lightly dismiss the Word of God.
  It is beyond stupidity to vehemently deny God, and in the next moment quote a few words from the Scriptures to sway and control other small minds. Stupidity and evil are without limits. Of course, needless to say, but I WILL say . . . these same idiots (oh, do you think that I am being too harsh and graceless? I think not!) . . . these same EVIL idiots take words and phrases out of context because they are unable to read or reason. I have chosen an issue that is constantly being floated before the minds (empty minds . . . there I fixed it) of the populace. The issue is capital punishment.
  The 6th commandment is found in the book of Exodus Chapter 20, verse 13, Thou shalt not kill. Interesting isn’t it that it is the 6th commandment and not the 5th or the 7th since the number six is the number of man. This act of murder was the first recorded act of sin outside of the garden of Eden when Cain murdered (killed) his brother Abel. The heart of Cain was full of hatred and rebellion against His Creator and God. This hatred spilled over to the one person who obeyed God. Cain could not kill God; therefore, He killed the one person who pleased God.
Where and When Did Capital Punishment Originate?
  The principle of human government was established in Genesis Chapter 9,verse 1 – 6 approximately one thousand years before Moses (through the hand of God) presented The Commandments to Israel. (I am being very broad with my dating!) Why was this law given at the beginning of this new of age of mankind?
And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. (Genesis 9:1)
And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. (Genesis 9:2)
Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things. (Genesis 9:3)
But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. (Genesis 9:4)
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. (Genesis 9:5)
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)
  I am going to try to keep this brief as I do not want to develop any issues that will divert me from this theme of Capital Punishment or the 6th Commandment. The governmental principles in Genesis Chapter 9, verses 1 – 6 wasn’t primarily instituted for the welfare of mankind, but it was based on one fact alone, and that is, man was in the image of God. Â
  The fundamental terms by which God would deal with the nations of the earth were very simply because (1) man is unique, (2) man is made in the image of God (3) to honor and respect man would be to show honor and respect to God, (4) blood is sacred to God because through His determinate counsels God Himself (through His Son Jesus Christ) would give His own blood (as the sacrificial Lamb) for the sins of the world, and (5) that the murderer would be judged and punished.
  The establishment of government by man teaches us that the purpose of government is to preserve the rights of God (yes, God has rights) and to preserve and protect the rights and dignity of mankind as His creatures. No deadly influence should ever be allowed to kill man because man was created in the image of God. The image of God is to be preserved and honored in man. The proper place of mankind should be upheld with dignity and honor because man was originally created in the image of God; however, since the fall of Adam, the moral image of God in man is no more, but nevertheless, the image of God is revealed through man; therefore, mankind should realize his place in the universe is indeed unique. The theory of evolution (it is just a theory, and not every scientist backs this theory, in fact, thousands of scientists have questioned, and are questioning the validity of this theory) teaches that man is merely an animal; consequently, the tremendous significance of man’s place in the universe is removed from his thoughts. This uniqueness of mankind ceases to exist in the hearts of man, and thus, murder then becomes inherently no different from any other crime. Whenever mankind loses the understanding and the appreciation of his own uniqueness, then he loses the understanding and appreciation of others, neither is man able to respect the uniqueness of others, nor can he understand and appreciate the sacredness of life. The murderer does not value his own uniqueness; therefore, how can he value the uniqueness of his victim?
  After the flood, capital punishment was established by God as the penalty for murder. This statement in Genesis Chapter 9 came centuries before the Mosaic Law, thus, universally binding until the end of time. HOWEVER, the 6th commandment does NOT contradict the words of God in Genesis Chapter 9!
And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. (Genesis 9:5)
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)
Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13)
  The Word of God is sure, and steadfast, and never ever contradicts itself.
A Paper Page Has Two Sides
  Years ago . . . decades past . . . as a teacher, one of the many things that I enjoyed was when children learned that a piece of paper had two sides that could be used. I (like many children) also failed to remember this very basic lesson of the two-sided paper. Many years ago . . . decades past . . . as a graduate student I was handed a single piece of paper with an exam question written on one side, and a blank exam book. (An exam having one question was not uncommon in my particular field.) The question was written in a wordy style, and took up one complete side of my paper. I aced the question, and was surprised that instead of two hours given to answer the question I had only taken less than one hour. (How smart I felt!) That evening my professor called to inform me that I did indeed ace that question, however, I had failed to turn the paper over to see the second question. He gave me 24 hours to return to his office where I was very graciously given an opportunity to complete the two question exam. Lesson learned . . . there are two sides to a piece of paper. Look further. Never settle for only what is before you, but look further to the next page, and to the next page, and to the next page, and to the next page . . .
  Those who can state Thou shalt not kill without turning over the next page in the Bible fail (as I did) to understand that there may be something of extreme interest on other pages.
  In Genesis Chapter 9 God instituted and established the death penalty for murder. In the Law and the Commandments, God expressly stated details regarding His thoughts and His ways. How many laws did God give? Be careful. This is a trick question. In the Mosaic Law or the moral law (which no one can attain) there are approximately 613 laws. No I have never counted them, for this number of 613 I have trusted in my research reading, however, I am flexible in the amount of laws because I definitely have no intention of counting these laws.
  The Mosaic Law formed a constitution on which the civil government of Israel was founded, and by which their leaders were required to rule. (Deuteronomy 17:18-20; 2 Kings 11:1-2; 2 Chronicles 23:11) There were laws concerning forms of government, citizenship, laws of theocracy, criminal laws, laws pertaining to domestic relations, welfare laws, inheritance and laws of distribution, social security, laws of juvenile disobedience, elder care, contracts, religious laws, legal procedure, tort laws, sanitation and cleanliness, animal care, and laws concerning interest and loans.
  Most individuals know somewhat about the Ten Commandments, but not many know about all the other laws, or their purpose. Not many are able to state all of the Ten Commandments, however, those who are against the death penalty have no difficulty in stating Thou shalt not kill. The following verses are called the Ten Commandments. Remember that there are many more laws and commandments written on other pages.
And God spake all these words, saying, (Exodus 20:1)
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. (Exodus 20:2)
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:3)
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: (Exodus 20:4)
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; (Exodus 20:5)
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:6)
Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exodus 20:7)
Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Exodus 20:8)
Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: (Exodus 20:9)
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: (Exodus 20:10)
For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Exodus 20:11)
Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:12)
Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13)
Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14)
Thou shalt not steal. (Exodus 20:15)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. (Exodus 20:16)
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s. (Exodus 20:17)
  There are many kind and gentle souls who espouse this one verse of Thou shalt not kill without any knowledge or understanding of the Word of God, but who are politically led to serve a hidden agenda instigated by not so very kind or gentle souls.
  Let’s turn the page and see what is written on the following pages in the Law of Moses.
Shall be Surely Put To Death
  The Ten Commandments within the 17 verses of Exodus Chapter 20 is addressed directly to the INDIVIDUAL. Ten, of course, is the number of responsibility. The number ten symbolizes God’s perfect order that nothing more can be added to make it more perfect, that all is complete, and no more can be done or fulfilled to make it more perfect. As the first dual number in two digits complete the end of the single digit, it also begins a new sequence of a double digit. Number 10 COMPLETES the cycle, and nothing more is necessary for its completeness. One example would be that the antediluvian period or age was finalized or completed in the tenth generation from God to Noah. (It would be nine (9) generations from Adam to Noah). Since ten is the number of man’s responsibility, we can understand that our fingers (10), and our ten toes (10) represent our work and our walk in action. We are responsible to God individually and collectively. All governments are accountable to God to preserve and to protect their citizens against all that would harm them whether it is economical or social rebellious forces joined together to destroy the family structure or to dissolve the binding elements that unite a nation: the divide and conquer principle.
And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, [that ye] go [not] up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death: (Exodus 19:12)
He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. (Exodus 21:12)
And he that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.(Exodus 21:15)
And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 21:16)
And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.(Exodus 21:17)
But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death. (Exodus 21:29)
Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 19:12)
Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it [is] holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth [any] work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. (Exodus 31:14)
Six days may work be done; but in the seventh [is] the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. (Exodus 31:15)
Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death. (Exodus 35:2)
  The Ten Commandments and the Law were given by God to Moses for the preservation of His nation Israel. There were 10 commandments directed expressly to the individual in the Ten Commandments, and then the remainder of all the Law was directed to the nation as a collective, and especially to the leaders and to the oversight of His nation as a government. Ten times we have the phrase shall be put to death in the book of Exodus.
The Murderer Shall Surely be Put to Death
And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. (Leviticus 24:17)
And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he [is] a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. (Numbers 35:16)
And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he [is] a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. (Numbers 35:17)
Or [if] he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he [is] a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. (Numbers 35:18)
  The phrase the murderer shall surely be put to death occurs three times in the Bible, all in this section in the book of Numbers Chapter 35. A very interesting verse is found in Numbers 35:31 directed to those who sympathize with the murderer. Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. (Numbers 35:31) If anyone is so inclined to show sympathy or compassion to anyone it should be to the family of the victim.
  Is it possible that a murderer could repent and truly be saved? Yes, of course, however, God would still require the life of the murderer. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. (Galatians 6:7)
  This was the responsibility of the governing body over a nation to fulfill the punishment of death, also known as capital punishment or the death penalty. No one individual had the right to put to death another individual. It was the duty and the right of the governing establishment to act on the death penalty. Thou shalt not kill was given to all individuals; however, the killer or murderer was condemned to death by the state, otherwise called the government. He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. God’s Word NEVER contradicts itself. Remember, turn the page over . . . .
  When you read through the ten mentions of the phrase shall be put to death, you may be shocked or perplexed over what may appear to you as being too harsh, or cruel, or over the top punishment. Try to look at it all through the eyes of GOD, the Creator, the Judge, the Holy and Righteous One . . . God hates sin. God hates sin because of sin, death came into the world, and all die. I suggest that you read this article on the law of sin and death. Now, back to our article, why would God command that a disobedient child who curses and physical attacks their parents be put to death? Why would God want anyone to be put to death who refused to honor His day of rest? The rest of the other issues can easily be understood like the men-stealers, or animals sexual abused by humans, BUT too many cannot understand the reasoning behind all of the commandments. No one can totally comprehend God’s love and God’s hatred acted righteously and in holiness. We (humanity) cannot fully digest the holiness and righteousness of the Godhead bodily. To disrespect elders and parents is a slap in the face to God, to dishonor God in anyway reveals a heart that is evil and beyond hope in this world. Unrepentant rebellion in the young heart leads to unrepentant rebellion in the heart of an adult. It is this heart that leads to the destruction of a nation. God reads the heart through the thoughts and through the actions of His creatures. And Scripture clearly states that God is angry with the wicked every day. The heart of Cain beats in all mankind, the heart of Adam in rebellion beats in all of mankind. The only way that anyone receives a new heart is because of the new birth. In this new birth we are given not only a new heart, but a new and fresh understanding that God has rights. He has the Right to Judge. He has the Right to form Laws and pronounce Commandments. He has the Right to say anything He wants to say. This is known as Sovereignty. God is Sovereign. If you can’t accept this then go away and cry and scream, but you are not God and never can be God! If you could be a god, then your laws and your commandments would be without justice, without truth, without righteousness and YOU would not hesitate to kill. This statement is proven daily when thousands and thousands do not hesitate to kill babies, do you seriously believe that these same people would not hesitate to kill you? These same people who cry out, Thou shalt not kill, have no difficulty in killing babies. These same people who cry out, Thou shalt not kill (in accusation against capital punishment also known as the death penalty) do not hesitate in funding a God hating revolutionary system that is founded on the destruction of families, and on the death of nations.
 God gave The Law and The Commandments for the benefit and preservation of a nation united to serve Him. Our Creator cares about preservation, honor, justice, equality, and truth. His Ten Commandments and His Laws may be considered harsh; however, mankind is harsh and evil. Judging God is not new with mankind simply because it is easier to judge God then it is to judge oneself.
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)
For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (Isaiah 55:8)
For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)
  Mankind uses a different set of standards when judging God then when he judges himself. That is one of the reasons that everyone can quote this verse, ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged’ because they are really saying, Don’t you dare try to judge ME! God gave this commandment for all peoples, for all nations, and for all ages that Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)
  The main point to understand is that even though the Law was given specifically to His nation of Israel, the Ten Commandments were given for all individuals. God presented a standard to live by knowing that mankind could not and would not be able to live up to His holy and righteous standard. (This article is not about law versus grace,; therefore, let us move on.) I set this distinction through Genesis Chapter 9 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6) Before the Law, before the Ten Commandments, God gave this commandment for all peoples, for all nations, and for all ages that Whosoever sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6) God gave this commandment for all peoples, for all nations, and for all ages that Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6) You can find issues with the Law of Moses, and you can disagree with any part of the Law; however, at the very beginning of the new world as Noah stepped out into the vastness of a cleansed earth God stated that Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6) God set man’s responsibility before ALL mankind clearly that Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)　This commandment has not changed. Yes, we are in the Age of Grace, and in the Age of Grace that was before the Age of the Law there was grace and faith. Sometimes, those in the Age of Grace believe that they alone possess grace and faith, however, this is not true. Noah found grace and lived by faith, and Abraham found grace and lived by faith. In the renewed earth during the age of Noah, God instituted man’s government and man was to protect and to preserve mankind from the murderer. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6) This law and this commandment extends throughout the period of grace and faith. This commandment was established then, and it remains active and in affect today! You cannot point your little judgmental finger at the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments and dismiss it all because it was given specifically to the nation of Israel because God the Holy Spirit made sure that Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man was documented in Genesis Chapter 9, verse 6 long before the Law of Moses, and the Ten Commandments. This statement is as valid today as it was in Genesis 9:6. You may dismiss the Law in regard to the death penalty, but you cannot dismiss Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. (Genesis 9:6)
  The purpose of this article was to show the difference between the 6th Commandment in the Ten Commandments (Thou shalt not kill in Exodus 20:13) and He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death in Exodus 21:12 written in the Law section of the Law of Moses. God’s Word is constant and true. Remember, turn the page over.
© Copyright 2019, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)