Many of the ordinances and instructions of the Old Testament’s Torah may seem drastic, strange or even bloodthirsty to us today. Yet they were given to a people who were already used to living by the laws of the time, which were often much more brutal.

For example, the most famous of these ancient law codes – Hammurabi’s Law – required the death of a thief who could not repay what he had stolen. Exodus 22:3 gets rid of the death penalty for this offence. According to Hammurabi, if a thief stole an item that was entrusted to a neighbour for safekeeping, again the penalty was death. Exodus 22:9 instead states that a repayment was more appropriate.

Yet in other circumstances, the Torah’s punishments seem harsher than those in Hammurabi’s Code. This is especially true where the offence is one of idolatry, witchcraft or engaging in practices that are part of the worship of a foreign god. Some of the instructions that seem most strange to us make more sense when we realise that these were practices associated with the worship of false gods. The Israelites needed to understand that they were living in a different kind of kingdom now – one where God was sovereign and holy.

Another area where the Torah is particularly strong is on the treatment of the vulnerable and needy. God takes a very dim view of those who oppress others with cruel treatment, or who make life even more difficult for people who are already in need.

Comparing the Torah to other laws of the time helps us to understand the principles which God wanted the people to follow, and how he wanted them to be different from other nations. Yes, they were entitled to protect their property and possessions, but more important was to honour and obey God and to act with compassion and love towards one another.

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NEWBOLD COMMUNITY CHURCH