Exodus 21:23-25 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

I grew up my whole like listening to this eye for and eye language. These scriptures were so often quoted as justification to do harm for an injustice, perceived or real. These words came from the mouths of men who had heard the words of Jesus, judge not, forgive and be forgiven, and the golden rule, do unto others.

I often wondered if they heard those words rightly, if they truly understood the teachings of Jesus. We have the clarifying word by He who is the Word. We should know the truth of these matters when He speaks them so plainly and clearly without ambiguity. Yet so opt to choose the Old Testament words and understanding because that is their hearts desire.

Sunday as I listened to the sermon it came to me that the Old Testament characters did not have the New Testament teachings to clarify the merciful and gracious side of those scriptures. Could it be possible for them to come to a proper rendering of the Word without these teachings? The I saw this;

1 Samuel 24:6 And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord.

I could see David applying the golden rule to Saul. Saul hunted David, seeking to kill him. David had Saul delivered to him, vulnerable and easy to kill. His men urged David to kill Saul. David knowing he was about to become the King of Israel rendered unto Saul that which he would have others render unto him, mercy and grace. But how did David know this right rendering of the Word without having heard Jesus teachings? The answer was found in verse 4.

1 Samuel 24:4 And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily.

Do to him as seems good unto thee. God left it up to David’s heart condition, David’s heart which was after God’s said show mercy and grace. David even repented in verse 5 for just cutting off Saul’s skirt.

The heart that is properly condition will lead you to a correct rendering.