Podcast Introduction Today we will read Leviticus 22-24. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “An Eye For An Eye?” Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Nick Fewings on Unsplash Comments on Leviticus 24 If a man hurts his neighbor, it will be done to him just as he has done, broken bone for broken bone, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he has hurt a man, so he will be hurt. Leviticus 24:19-20 NLV Most people have heard the phrase, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” Let’s talk about this for a few minutes. Some have used this as an excuse to take revenge. After all, if someone harms us, the natural response is to want to get them back…with interest.  Others have taken “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” to mean that it is an obligation to repay injury for injury. But the truth is that God was setting limits for meting out justice. The punishment cannot be worse than the offense.  In addition, the phrase was not to be taken literally. The Law of Moses actually set a standard of repayment in situations like this. Exodus 21:26 says, “If a man strikes the eye of his male or female servant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye.”  Also, keep in mind that focus here in Leviticus is on establishing community standards. What the legal structure was to be. Yes, it was legal to seek restitution for injuries inflicted. But in Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus addressed how individuals should react to such circumstances. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.” In this teaching, Jesus was telling us that when we are insulted or offended, we should not respond in kind. The phrase “to be slapped on the right cheek” was understood to be deeply insulted, not an actual physical attack. Jesus was not saying that we should not defend ourself if we are being physically attacked.  Bible commentator William Barclay wrote, “Jesus is here saying that the true Christian has learned to resent no insult and to seek retaliation for no slight.” Jesus was called a glutton, a blasphemer, cr