RPG Adults
DEATH BY STONING FOR BLASPHEMY!
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
Leviticus 24
Galatians 1:6-9
“Bring forth him that hath cursed without
the camp; and let all that heard him
lay their hands upon his head…”
DEATH BY STONING FOR BLASPHEMY!
To blaspheme a very important person could land the blasphemer in a lawsuit. That very important person depends on his name to stand for office as a politician, for his business, etc. He can lose everything if he loses his good name. If his name is not defended after being blasphemed, his silence would be seen as guilt. Thus, he is left with little choice under such a circumstance but to protect his good name.
In the case of the LORD, it was much more serious. The LORD enforced the death penalty. When the incident occurred, Moses and the people of Israel did not know what to do. They put the Jewish blasphemer into ward as they waited for the LORD’s will to be revealed. The blasphemer was brought to the outside of the camp, and all who heard him blaspheme were to lay their hands on his head and then let the congregation stone him. The act of laying hands on the guilty person’s head was to make a public statement that they were witnesses to the man’s guilt of blasphemy. This law applied to everyone who lived in Israel, including Gentiles. The Land of Promise on earth was like heaven, where the LORD’s dwelling place (the Tabernacle) was located. Israel, as God’s people, was commanded to holy living in the Holy Land. To blaspheme the Name of the LORD, i.e. to curse His holy name, is a direct attack on the LORD and all that He stands for. We know that the LORD will never over or under punish anyone. The Name of the LORD (i.e. Jesus Christ) is the only Name under heaven through which a sinner can be saved from sin, death, and hell. It was for man’s good, especially his salvation, that the LORD enforces this death penalty to prevent wicked sinners from stopping others from being saved from their sin. To blaspheme God’s Name is to attack the Gospel itself. In today’s New Testament witness, the injunction from God is to let that man be cursed. Galatians 1:9: “As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
MEMORISATION: Leviticus 24:16
PRAYER: Help me, O Father, to guard my lips and never to blaspheme Thy Holy Name. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.