"Thou shalt not kill." Exodus 20:13
The sixth commandment requires little explanation. People are the most valuable of God's creation. The fact that we are made in the very image of God distinguishes us from all other living creatures. Human life from the moment of conception to the day of one's death is precious!
"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 speaks against doing anything injurious to the health and life of our own bodies or of others unjustly. The heart of this commandment is spoken to in the New Testament:
"Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him" (I John 3:15.
"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment…"(Matthew 5:21-22).
"If looks could kill…" Though a phrase often used in jesting; it has more truth than any of us care to admit. The violation of this command is not just in the action of killing itself, but it starts in the heart attitude toward others.
The heart attitude has unfortunately led our culture to a civilized and sophisticated mass murder in the forms of abortion, euthanasia, and assisted suicides.
How this must pain the heart of our Creator!
The First Murder
Genesis 4:1-16
And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the LORD. And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto the LORD, My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me. And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. And Cain went out from the presence of the LORD, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
