Hate Crimes, A New Understaning

Numbers 33:40-35:34

One of the things I love about reading through the Bible in a systematic way is how it forces you to rethink and reexamine what you thought you new and you interact with issues in the real world.  Today I came across a deeper understanding of what murder really is.  Today I understand why Jesus said,

²⁰ For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.   
²¹ “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder,^[a] and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ ²² But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause^[b] shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. (Matthew 5:20-22, New King James Version)

Footnotes:

1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17
2. Matthew 5:22 NU-Text omits without a cause.

Why would just being angry be equivalent to murder from God’s point of view?  Why would I be in “danger of the council,” for my feelings toward someone who has wronged me and I have not released because after all God, You just don’t know …” Isn’t that what we say while we struggle with our emotions, or at least I do as I constantly seek God’s mercy and grace until forgiveness in my heart truly shows up.   My answer is here in midst of this Numbers passage,

 ^9-15 God spoke to Moses: "Speak to the People of Israel. Tell them, When you cross the River Jordan into the country of Canaan, designate your asylum-cities, towns to which a person who accidentally kills someone can flee for asylum. They will be places of refuge from the avenger so that the alleged murderer won't be killed until he can appear before the community in court. Provide six asylum-cities. Designate three of the towns to the east side of the Jordan, the other three in Canaan proper—asylum-cities for the People of Israel, for the foreigner, and for any occasional visitors or guests—six asylum-cities to run to for anyone who accidentally kills another.
 ¹⁶ "But if the killer has used an iron object, that's just plain murder; he's obviously a murderer and must be put to death.
 ¹⁷ "Or if he has a rock in his hand big enough to kill and the man dies, that's murder; he's a murderer and must be put to death.
 ¹⁸ "Or if he's carrying a wooden club heavy enough to kill and the man dies, that's murder; he's a murderer and must be put to death.
 ¹⁹ "In such cases the avenger has a right to kill the murderer when he meets him—he can kill him on the spot.
 ^20-21 "And if out of sheer hatred a man pushes another or from ambush throws something at him and he dies, or angrily hits him with his fist and kills him, that's murder—he must be put to death. The avenger has a right to kill him when he gets him.  (Numbers 35:9-21, The Message)

The first “hate” crime on the books of heaven was enacted by God.  I’ve always wrestled with “hate” crime laws because I’ve considered all crime as “hate” because why would we harm someone we truly love?  I've just received understanding and the reason why.  God Is good and his answers are always available, you just have to ask, knock and seek.