Exodus 21:29
But if the ox were wont to push with his horn in time past, and it hath been testified to his owner, and he hath not kept him in, but that he hath killed a man or a woman; the ox shall be stoned, and his owner also shall be put to death.
The law holds an owner accountable when his ox was known to push or gore with its horn in time past, when that danger had been testified to him, when he failed to keep the animal in, and when it then killed a man or a woman, requiring that the ox be stoned and that the owner himself be put to death for his carelessness or malignity. The ox must have shown itself dangerous by repeatedly goring or by a history of attacking people, the owner must have been warned, and his failure to restrain it before it took life makes him liable to death. The man who knows his beast is vicious and still allows it liberty is held accountable for whatever evil the beast does. The sentence that follows this provision allows a ransom to be imposed instead of exacting the owner's life.
This requirement belongs to the laws, statutes, and judgments given through Moses and spoken right from the holy mount. They are a body of judgments to be strictly obeyed, and they remain instruction to be studied and obeyed still. They guard against injustice and guide dealings with one another, show God's impartial care for His people and the exalted character of His requirements, and their call to just dealings is consistent with ending contention, loving one another, and softening the heart. A life taken through neglect is precious before God because Christ bought it with an infinite price by giving His own life so that everyone might have life that measures with the life of God. Placed alongside the giving of skilled ability for the sanctuary work, the requirement warns of the serious consequences of disregarding known responsibility and divine instruction.
Its principle of responsibility for a known danger applies to those who brew intoxicating drink. It applies to liquor sellers who knowingly supply drink that robs people of reason and leads to violence. If a drinker commits murder while intoxicated, the seller shares and is equally responsible before God because he knew its effects. Knowing that liquor can remove a person's reason and lead to violence and death, the seller bears moral responsibility for the resulting harm and will face divine judgment and have to give account to God. The same principle makes a government that licenses liquor sellers responsible for the harm and results of the traffic it permits. Lawyers, senators, judges, and all who by vote and license keep saloons open and allow liquor to be sold when they know what it does are guilty with the seller for all the consequences of supplying liquor and for what people do under its influence, for which they must give account to God in the judgment. If allowing liberty to a known vicious beast is a crime worthy of death, sanctioning the work of the liquor seller is a much greater crime.