It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Deuteronomy 19:21 ESV
There are many references to punishment in Deuteronomy. "Purging the guilt of innocent blood", "purge the evil from your midst", and "hand him over to the avenger of blood, so that he may die" are just some of the phrases that speak to the harshness and finality of the retribution required in the Old Testament. As one who has only lived under the grace covenant of Jesus Christ, it is difficult for me to understand such a violent and vengeful time.
One of the most oft quotes verses about retribution comes from the 19th chapter of Deuteronomy, although usually in an abbreviated form, "An eye for an eye." It speaks of equal payment, a balancing of the scales, a one-for-one for one trade.
Christ is our balancing of the scales, our one-for-one offering to God the Father. His death on the cross was the life-for-life exchange required by Elohim. His eyes were matted shut with the blood from his brow to pay for our lustful second and third glances. His teeth were loosened and broken by the fists of the Roman guards in exchange for the false accusations and gossip that passed from our mouths. It was his healing hands that were torn with spikes to make right the bruises caused by our angry fists. His feet, which had walked miles in ministry to others, were ripped apart to make restitution for the times we walked away from a hurting, lonely coworker.
God did and still does require a "life for life." But it does not have to be your life that is sacrificed. Jesus was the life required if you will just accept him and the sacrifice he made for you.
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