J
Jehovahsloyalchild
Guest
That is true however the judges were successive individuals from the tribes of Israel and were chosen by Jehovah to rescue his people from their enemies and to execute justice for them. Jehovah uses his servants to execute his righteous judgements as we all know from many accounts in the scriptures. However this is a post about self defense that is not under the direct order of Jehovah himself. I agree it would be very difficult if not impossible to not defend my children from harm as we know even Jehovah expects us to look after widows and children. It would not be a easy decision and I hope to not have to make it but it goes without saying this life is temporary and the life Jehovah God will give is eternal. I try to take into consideration the scriptures that make mention of how he perceives violence and murder.Hi JLC, I agree with you on the basic principle of Christianity being that we don’t return evil for evil. However, situations are often not as black and white as one may suppose. For example, you quote Leviticus 24:17 that anyone who takes a human life will SURELY be put to death. That obviously was not absolute, otherwise how can you explain the actions of Jael at Judges 5:26: “With her hand she reached for the tent pin, Her right hand for the workman’s mallet. And she hammered Sisʹe·ra, she crushed his head, And she smashed and pierced his temples.”
Jael did not come under a death sentence. The definition of murder is “The killing of another person without justification or excuse..”
I think all we can do is reason with people and show them the applicable scriptures and they decide for themselves and based on their relationship with Jehovah and his son. I think that if a person is defending children then they may be obligated (and a godly obligation) to do anything in their power to protect them. I know that when I had young children under my care, I would have done anything I could and if that resulted in someone’s death I would not consider that murder. As I said I don’t own guns and I will never own one but that doesn’t mean that I would condemn others who have a gun. They are used for other things and could be used to prevent a crime, such as firing a warning shot. Each one will carry his own load.