Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 7/5/2007

Question
Hello. I am not a soldier, and I am not thinking about killing anyone, so don't worry. I just had a question about what seems to me to be a contradiction in the scriptures. In God's ten commandments, he prohibits the Israelites from killing, period. However, in other passages in Leviticus and Deuteronomy, God clearly condones the killing of people who commit specific sins, such as witchcraft, cursing of parents, etc. I suspect I simply do not have enough insight to resolve this in my own mind, but if you could help me to understand why these scriptures seem to contradict each other, and exactly what is prohibited and why, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time. Samuel

Answer
Hi Samuel

Thanks for this great question.  It is important to understand that the commandment given in Exodus 20 was a prohatition of murder for individuals.

Exodus 20:12-17
12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 13 Thou shalt not kill. 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery. 15 Thou shalt not steal. 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. 17 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.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

God does give nations the right and responsability to use lethal force in order to govern fallen men.  The powers that be in Romans 13 speak of the government.  Notice that the government is ordained of God and given the sword, or lethal force and authority.

Romans 13:1-5


Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God:  the powers that be are ordained of God.  2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I am not permitted to execute vengence upon my enemy, I am to let the government, appointed by God's soverign design, handle those matters.


Romans 12:17-19
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

I hope that this helps you.  I am sorry for my late response.

In Christ
Pastor Don