The sixth commandment

Deuteronomy 22.8

“When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, that you may not bring the guilt of blood upon your house, if anyone should fall from it.”

1 Corinthians 8.9-12

Here is yet another way that neighbors exercised responsibility for one another’s wellbeing. Since Israelites frequented their roofs for a variety of reasons, a railing was an essential safety measure. Today we put fences around pools, cut back bushes that obstruct the view of traffic, take precautions when burning in the open air, and enforce other measures that indicate we understand the wisdom and necessity of thinking about others and their wellbeing as part of our civic duty.

This series of In the Gates we present a detailed explanation of the Law of God, beginning with the Ten Commandments, and working through the statutes and rules that accompany each commandment. For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the practice of ethics, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.