When I saw the heading for today’s reading, it immediately took me back to December 1979. A dear high school friend of mine was murdered in her family car at the mall. We were seniors. It rocked our world. Just a few months ago, thanks to DNA evidence and a police department that didn’t let go of this cold case, we have a conviction of my friend’s murderer. I was curious to see what the Bible said about unsolved murders.
I was surprised by what was prescribed. A blameless cow had to die. Wasn’t it bad enough that someone had died with no witnesses? Not only would their murderer go free to live, but a cow had to die, too. I’m wrestling with this text figuring I must be missing something. What do you think?
I suppose there was no such thing as a cold case back then. God would know. I did appreciate the thoroughness with which this passage handles this situation. Someone needed to take responsibility. The closest town would be in charge, but it doesn’t appear that an investigation would take place. Instead, efforts were made to honor the body with the sacrifice of this cow. Even details of the location where this was to happen was spelled out clearly.
I suppose that without knowing the guilt of the assailant, the whole land was suspect. In order to protect the innocent from being wrongfully accused, there had to be a law put in place for this situation. It is written, “O Lord, forgive your people Israel whom you have redeemed. Do not charge your people with the guilt of murdering an innocent person.”
Maybe that also helped the family with closure. I know my friend’s family, and all of us friends, mourned for years, always held on to hope that there would be a break in the case. Sadly, her parents died before the case was solved. Interesting the things we find in the Bible. Even more so is how passages resonate with different memories and experiences we all have.
Let’s pray … Thank you, Lord, for your attention to the details afforded your people. For all unsolved murders around the world today, I pray your peace will descend on those affected. You are the supreme judge, and those guilty ones will one day have to answer to you and pay the price. Just as the land was cleansed with the shedding of the cow’s blood, cleanse my heart today from the things that keep me distracted from you and the mission you have given me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
