Exodus 21-23

Rules! Rules! Rules! The Bible readings today show how a premium is placed on the judges of the Israeli people. Laws are recorded here together with instructions that judges are to decide what is to be done after a law is broken. God bless those who are called judges!

I see a progression here: In Exodus, chapter 18, Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, advises the delegation of responsibilities for judging among the people. He recommends judges be appointed for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. The judges are to be taught the demands of justice and given the responsibility for trying all but the most difficult cases, which are to be referred to Moses. After sharing his unasked for advice, Jethro goes away.

Then Moses and the people he leads travel to Mount Sinai. There the standards of justice are given and codified. With that code in hand Moses can teach the judges of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Finally, I am told that the Law of Moses is intended, if not to extend full mercy, then at least to place limits on vengeance. The appointment of judges is a step in that direction. Whenever justice is left to injured parties it tends not to justice, but to revenge. Take Lamech for example: 

Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, listen to me; wives of Lamech, hear my words. I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for injuring me. If Cain is avenged seven times, then Lamech seventy-seven times.” (Genesis 4:23-24)

In light of Lamech's brand of vengeance the limiting of revenge seems gentler and more just in the Law of Moses: 

"...eye for eye, tooth for tooth..." (Exodus 21:24a)