Lesson 354: “Defense or Retaliation"
The words eye for eye and tooth of tooth (Mat. 5:38-42) come from several Old Testament passages called “lex talionis”, the law of retaliation. This law was given to protect the innocent and to make sure retaliation did not occur BEYOND the offense. Jesus pointed out, however, that while the rights of the innocent were protected by the law the righteous need not necessarily claim their rights. A righteous man would be characterized by humility and selflessness and might go the extra mile to maintain peace. When wronged by being struck on a cheek, or sued for his tunic (undergarment) or forced to travel with someone a mile, he would not strike back, demand repayment or refuse to comply. Instead of retaliating he would do the opposite and commit his case to the Lord who will one day set all things straight. “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written; ‘it is mine to avenge, I will repay’, says the Lord” (Rom. 12:17-19).
In the Old Testament, by giving someone your cloak/tunic the one taking the cloak would be put to shame and not you since you would be left naked. Going the extra mile was a Roman law forcing messengers to go into dangerous territory and putting their lives at risk by going the extra mile. By turning the other cheek you are not allowing someone to rob or beat you but this is a command not to seek vengeance. The eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound and bruise for bruise (Ex. 21:24-25) was a guideline for a magistrate to punish convicts and was set down so that the punishment would not exceed the crime. None of these things come under the heading of “giving or taking care of the poor” (this is an entirely different lesson).
Christ was the perfect example of patient submission to unjust suffering. He did not defend Himself and did not retaliate. In our human minds Christ had every reason under the sun to retaliate during His arrest, trial and crucifixion, yet He suffered in silence, committing Himself to God. Christ suffered so it would be possible for Christians to follow His example, both in suffering and in righteous living. As you remember Christ, remember this! It is respectful submission to undeserved suffering that finds favor with God because such behavior demonstrates His grace.