Topic: Error of Omission [Thursday October 1, 2015]
Text: Exodus 21:26-36
Key Verse: “But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death” (Exodus 21:29).
The principle of responsibility for wrongs done to others, as explained in the Bible, plainly states that one is liable for the actions of his agents as long as he owes that agent a duty of care and control. In the case of animals, it makes little difference that the owner is not aware of its destructive tendencies.
The Lord had given Moses the laws guiding man’s relationship with God and fellow man in the preceding chapter, known as “The Ten Commandments”. Underlying the commandments governing man’s relationship with one another is the principle of equity: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. And to underscore God’s view of the sanctity of life, an animal which killed a human being was to be killed; the owner himself was to suffer similar fate if he was aware of the animal’s destructive traits. Today, God still highly upholds the sanctity of life.
Sins of omission are as serious in the eyes of the Lord as sins of commission. Carelessness or negligence must be avoided by true followers of Christ. The major difference between man and animal is in man’s possession of a reasoning faculty. If we have faculties to guide us in our daily life and fail to use them, then we are culpable before the Lord.
The Scripture enjoins us to walk carefully through life to be able to reap the blessings God has graciously provided for His children. We should watch over our domestic animals to keep them from harming people or destroying their properties.
Thought for the day: Acts of omission and commission attract punishment
Bible Reading in one Year: Jude 1
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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