If you’re not a Christian or have not read the Old Testament, you might wonder why these laws are in the Bible. It’s a lot of detail, not easy to understand, and what does this have to do with spirituality anyway? Because God is real and good, He cares about everything and everyone, especially those who are weak: “He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing”. Unlike many modern Christians, Jesus puts no distance between Himself and the law. This part of the Book of the Covenant has detailed laws about life, injury, and criminal negligence because God wants just laws to bless His people. The lex talionis, or law of talion, ensures that the punishment fits the crime, that justice is meted out rather escalating revenge.