Such remains of God's image are still upon fallen man, that he who unjustly kills a man, defaces the image of God, and does dishonour to him. Wilful murder ought always to be punished with death. But there are those who are ministers of God to protect the innocent, by being a terror to evil-doers, and they must not bear the sword in vain, ( Romans 13:4 ). One time or other, in this world or in the next, God will discover murders, and punish those murders which are beyond man's power to punish. When God requires the life of a man from him that took it away unjustly, the murderer cannot render that, and therefore must render his own instead. If we in any way hasten our own death, we are accountable to God for it. Our lives are God's, and we must only give them up when he pleases. Verses 4-7 The main reason of forbidding the eating of blood, doubtless was because the shedding of blood in sacrifices was to keep the worshippers in mind of the great atonement yet it seems intended also to check cruelty, lest men, being used to shed and feed upon the blood of animals, should grow unfeeling to them, and be less shocked at the idea of shedding human blood. We ought not to pain them needlessly whilst they live, nor when we take away their lives. This grant of the animals for food fully warrants the use of them, but not the abuse of them by gluttony, still less by cruelty. We see the fulfilment of this promise every day, and on every side. Nor ought we to be less thankful for the security we enjoy from the savage and hurtful beasts, through the fear of man which God has fixed deep in them. Let us not forget the advantage and pleasure we have from the labour of beasts, and which their flesh affords. On him we depend, to him we should be thankful. Verses 1-3 The blessing of God is the cause of our doing well. (18-23) Noah curses Canaan, blesses Shem, prays for Japheth, His death. (8-17) Noah plants a vineyard, is drunken and mocked by Ham. God blesses Noah, and grants flesh for food.
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