Discuss Leviticus 24

great disrespect shown to God

What does it mean to blaspheme the Lord? What would you have to say?

Hello Donna. There are probably a few reasons why this occurred. In John 18:28, we read that "THEY led Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgement...". And when Pilate told THEM to "judge him (Jesus) according to their law", we can understand that the Sanhedrin (the supreme council & tribunal of the Jews) were involved in laying the charge against Jesus. Also, at that time under Roman rule & law, the hearing of accusations & pronouncing judgement had to be conducted only by the Roman procurator or his deputies & not by the people. As well, with those of Jewry that might have shown sympathy towards Jesus (as One doing nothing worthy of such treatment & death), it was in the Sanhedrin's interest to refer the matter of execution to Rome (in other words, 'let's pass the buck'), to avoid becoming unpopular & losing respect & face with their people.

So, why not in the case of Stephen ( Acts 7:54-60), or the woman taken in adultery ( John 8:3-5), though Jesus skilfully diverted their attention from the woman to themselves? In these passages, we see it was the Jewish religious leaders (the Scribes & Pharisees) & the mob they incited being urged to take the law into their own hands. They believed they were fulfilling the Law, which prescribed that adultery & blasphemy were sins worthy of death ( Leviticus 20:10; Leviticus 24:16). These were not the Sanhedrin (the official Jewish council who would pronounce judgement after due legal processes), though the Council comprised many of these men; they were the religious leaders, acting on their own, filled with religious fury, inciting the mob, determined to take matters into their own hands, believing that they were fulfilling the Law & doing God service.

This is how I understand the difference which you have picked up on: just a few thoughts for your consideration.

STU,

The Bible does not specifically mention the word abortion. However, if we look at Exodus 21:22-25, it looks to me that God's view is that if you kill an unborn baby, the penalty is death.

A baby in a mothers womb is a living being. Aborting that baby is considered murder. It baffles me that people who commit murder, in many cases, they receive the death penalty. But what about murdering an unborn child?

This topic should touch the heart strings of every believer. Again, the closest thing I see that would give God's view on abortion (other than you shall not murder) in Exodus 20:13, would be Exodus 21:22-25.

Other verses to consider are: Deuteronomy 5:17, Matthew 5:21, Leviticus 24:17, Mark 10:19, Leviticus 24:21.

Ani,

James 1:5,

Exodus 20, Exodus 31:12-17, note Exodus 31:16,17, Exodus 35:1-2, Leviticus 16:29-34, Leviticus 23, Leviticus 24:8,9,

Leviticus 25, Deuteronomy 5, Matthew 12, Matthew 28:1-9, Mark 15:42, Luke 23:52,53,54,56, John 19:31, Mark 1:21,

2Chronicles 36:20-21, Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 17, Amos 8, Matthew 25:31-46, Mark 3:4, John 5:10,16 hypocrisy & cruelty, John 7:22,23, Malachi 3:5,

Nehemiah 10:31, Nehemiah 13:14-27, Isaiah 56,

Colossians 2:16,

Hopefully these are all helpful in your study & Bible Study.

Leviticus Chapter 24 Taking the Lord's name in vain

The section recalls the event where two men got in a fight within the camp and one of the men blasphemed the name of YHWH.

It mentions that he was half Israeli and half Egyptian, so not a full-fledged Israelite. The punishment that God directed the people carry out was stoning to death. This event let them know that God expected them to administer the penalties for sins His way without exception, regardless if one is full Israeli or half or not at all as long as the person was living among the people. This man may not have been devoted to Israel's God and took His name lightly as if it was not special and holy. Good for anyone to remember that God expects us to revere Him and His name always. We are to make a practice of speaking rightly of Him, not lightly.

The remainder of the chapter deals with various offenses and the penalty to be administered for each. Here we have mention the "eye for an eye" regulation. This regulation is not so much that it is compulsory for one to repay in kind, but to be sure that excessive penalties are not given arbitrarily. The penalty must be fitting for the offense. That is the impetus for this regulation.

Certainly, there was room for forgiveness to be given instead of a penalty. But it was lawful for a person to deliver the penalty to the one who offended. These regulations kept punishment for crimes within humane limits. Murder brought the death penalty, but other offenses did not. These regulations teach respect for the bodily integrity of others and for their property to be valued.

With the Israelites being responsible for meting out the penalties, all of the congregation experienced both receiving and giving out penalties for offenses. So, they knew first-hand the cost of such offenses. In our society today we leave the penalties up to law enforcement agencies. We get to keep "clean hands" in a way that the Israelites did not have.

Leviticus Chapter 24

This chapter has several sections.

The first section are instructions to the priests concerning keeping the lampstand lit continually in the Holy Place and always having showbread on the table in the Holy Place which is changed out each Sabbath.

The second section is the account of a person in the camp blaspheming the name of the LORD and his punishment as instituted by God.

The third sections contain instructions on the penalties for certain offenses against persons and property.

The Lampstand was to be supplied oil from the Israelites. They were responsible to press (and beat) the olives to extract oil that was pure for burning in the lampstand. It was the responsibility of the priests to keep the fire burning the oil in the lamps on this stand perpetually without it going out. The lampstand was the only light to illuminate this part of the tent of meeting. The heavy drapes would block out any sunlight. The light of the lampstand enabled the priests to complete their service to the Lord in the Holy Place without fault. Jesus is our light. He enables us to serve the Lord from the heart in ways that honor and please Him. He continually enlightens us to know God's will for us and fuels us to obey.

The showbread was placed on the golden table. There were twelve large loaves (6 lbs. of fine flour for each) placed in a specified arrangement (rows) Frankincense was placed on each loaf. Israelites from each tribe were to supply the flour for these loaves. The priest would bake them and place them on the table each Sabbath. The ones taken off the table (week old) were to be used as food for the priests. Jesus is the bread of life. He is our spiritual sustenance. We partake of Him by continually having His word in our hearts, upon our lips, and before our eyes. The Father delights to look upon Jesus continually.

These rituals that the priests were responsible for remind us of the importance of practicing godly habits.

Sabbath : Exodus 20:8,10,11, Exodus 31:14,15,16, Leviticus 23, Leviticus 24:8, Leviticus 25:2,4,6, Numbers 28:9,10, Deuteronomy 5,

Nehemiah 13:19, There's many more scriptures, hopefully you'll find them all helpful

Jesus observed the Sabbath & fulfilling the Sacrifice: Luke 23:17,54,55,56, John 19:31, Acts 13:27, Matthew 28:1, Mark 6:2, Mark 16:1, Matthew 8:17, Luke 4:21, Acts 13,

Matthew 12:8,

Exodus 12:48-49

"48! And when a stranger shall sojourn with thee, and will keep the passover to the LORD, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it; and he shall be as one that is born in the land: for no uncircumcised person shall eat thereof.

49 One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you."

Also Leviticus 19:33-34, Leviticus 24:23, Matthew 23:15 etc

Robert,

Adam has given you several great pieces of scripture to support the claim that Jesus is indeed God.

It is true that the bible does not say "Jesus is God" in those exact words, but it also does not say (in your words) that "Jesus was spoken into existence." Jesus was not spoken into existence. To believe that, we would also have to deny His deity.

You ask, "So what's hard to understand that Jesus is the Son of God?"

It's not hard to understand. I believe Jesus is the Son of God. But what does the phrase "Son of God" mean? What did it mean to the Jews? If Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, was He wrong for doing so? Obviously to the Jews, Jesus was claiming to be God Himself. For that claim, they accused Him of blasphemy and the penalty according to Leviticus 24:16 was death.



Did Jesus ever claim to be God? John 10:30-33 would indicate so. Jesus said "I and my Father are one." Notice who He's saying this to? The Jews! In Verse 31, it says they took up stones to kill Him. So what was wrong with Jesus' claim? Why would the Jews want to kill Him for saying that?

The answer is in John 10:33. They wanted to kill Jesus because He claimed to be God. To them He committed blasphemy by making Himself God. They took up stones to kill Jesus for saying "I and my Father are one." Notice that Jesus didn't say "Wait a minute guys, before you stone me, I think you are misunderstanding what I said, so let's talk about this?" Jesus did not correct them because what they said "thou, being a man, makest thyself God," is exactly what Jesus meant.

In Matthew 16:16, Peter gives the correct response to who Jesus is; "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Peter was a Jew, and he knew exactly what he was saying when he said Jesus was the Son of the living God. To a Jew, the phrase "Son of God," or "Son of the living God" is the same as calling someone God Himself, and that's exactly what Peter said in his response to the question Jesus asked.

Golden candlestick: Zechariah 4:2-6, Proverbs 20:27,

Exodus 25:31,32, placement, Exodus 26:35, Leviticus 24:4, Hebrews 9:1-28,

Jeremiah 52:19,

Matthew 5:14-16,

Revelation 1:12-20, Revelation 2:1-5, Revelation 11:3-4, Revelation 22,

Hopefully these are helpful in your study

Hi Edward.

You've been given great answers.

I also believe the oil represents anointing. 1 John 2:27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

We are ready because the Holyspirit seals us. Ephesians 1:13. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22.

In Revelation 1:12-13. the candlesticks mentioned here are oil burning lamp stands. A believer is to be a light to the world and that light should always shine on the one in the midst of the lamp stand. Our lord. Matthew 5:14-16.

Also used symbolically here.

Leviticus 24:2-4.

God bless.

Numbers 15:29

Ye shall have one law for him that sinneth through ignorance, both for him that is born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them.

Leviticus 24:22

Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.

Numbers 15:16

One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you.

Ephesians 2:19-20

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Do these Scriptures make up airs to the kingdom of God along with the "Jewish" people?

Why then can't a Christian buy land in Jerusalem without converting?

Genesis 2:1-3, Exodus 16:23,25,29, Exodus 20:2,8,9,10,11, Exodus 31:12-18, Exodus 35:1-2, Leviticus 16:29-34, Leviticus 23, Leviticus 24:8, Leviticus 25, Numbers 28:10, Deuteronomy 5:12-15, Exodus 22:22, Deuteronomy 10:17-20, Deuteronomy 14:27-29, Deuteronomy 16, Deuteronomy 16:10-15, Deuteronomy 26:12,13, Isaiah 1:11-24,

2Chronicles 36:14-21, Nehemiah 9, Nehemiah 13:10-22,

Isaiah 56, Isaiah 58, Jeremiah 17:7-27, Amos 8:4-10,

Matthew 12:2-5, reference Ezekiel 46:1,12,

Matthew 12:8, Matthew 12:1-14, John 5:6-47, John 7:22-23, John 19:31, Matthew 23:23, Matthew 25:31-46

Hello Quentin. As you continue to read in John chapter 10 ( John 10:22-39), you will find that the Jews wanted to enact the Law of stoning for anyone who commits blasphemy (v33); and that Law is found & enacted in Leviticus 24:10-23.

And again the Jews wanted to kill Jesus because of His further claim to divinity ( John 10:34-39). At the first, Jesus claimed that He & His Father God are One (v30) and at the second, Jesus said that He is the Son of God (v36). Both are strong claims that He & God are One in Essence & Purpose. If Jesus had just said that God had sent a special Prophet to bring God's Word to the people, He might have not been hounded as He was - but then Jesus would have lied to save His Skin, which He could never do. But even before His accusers, He remained faithful to His Father & to His Divinity in the Godhead.

The Jews constantly schemed to rid themselves of this Jesus, but Jesus' time had not arrived for His death for mankind's sins. But when they finally accused Jesus for His Claim of being God's Son ( John 19:7), they would have been extremely satisfied when Pontius Pilate finally acceded to their demand ( John 19:16) & ordered His Crucifixion. The Jews finally got rid of this Man who searched their hearts & accused them in their innermost being. Their position & wicked hearts were no longer under Divine Inspection for now, but their sin remained, as Jesus told Pilate, "he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin" (v11).

(Not Duplicate)

As proof that Matthew 7:12:

12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

is a restatement and probable expansion of our obligations under the second great commandment, Matthew 22:36-40 says:

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The end of verse Mt 7:12 and Mt 22:40 are basically identical.

Jesus never made any statement like that when he referred to Leviticus 24:20, which in its full context in Leviticus 24:17-22 reads:

17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death. 18 And he that killeth a beast shall make it good; beast for beast. 19 And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; 20 Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again. 21 And he that killeth a beast, he shall restore it: and he that killeth a man, he shall be put to death. 22 Ye shall have one manner of law, as well for the stranger, as for one of your own country: for I am the LORD your God.

This law was never given under the Law as the basis for vigilante vengence where individuals take matters into their own hands, but always fell on the entire covenant community under the Law to bring before judges that called for witness testimony before any sentences were passed or carried out. Also, any sentence that were be carried out as a result of this law against any stranger must equally be carried out on any member of the covenant community for the same offense to uphold the name of the LORD our God. So, take great care and don't apply it lightly.

Here in the USA our founding documents Declaration of Independence actually states We The People, to be that Governing 'authority' "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or abolish it, & institute a new Government, laying it's foundations on such principals''._. To effect Safety & happiness "

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, "

..."the Laws of Nature & Nature's GOD entitled them"._._.a "Duty" to stand & abolish a tyrannical governing body after a "long train of abuses & usurpations, " "duty to throw off such government"

Government / Governors in biblical example would rightfully punish evildoers & protect. 1Peter 2:13-25, 2Peter 2:14,

Leviticus chapter 24 seems to have a narrative in the first 9 verses on the perpetuity of the fire of God with a sudden interruption based on the Israelite woman's son and his blasphemy toward God. Whether there was an intended break in the scroll; or not this is how it appears in KJV.

One could say that the eternal consequences for the law; in regard to the "unforgiveable sin" which is tied in with blasphemy in the N.T. of the Holy Spirit is the opposite of the perpetual light of God's people; bringing the lost to eternal punishment. There are a few other reminders here of "an eye for an eye; tooth for tooth" in verse 20; etc. God has laws of a death penalty which don't have to be looked at as mutually exclusive to Grace. It is unlikely from the event that this man asked for the God of Israel to forgive his sins with his soul about to head to eternity; although technically it is only the reaction to the Holy Spirit; not toward God or Christ that is unforgiveable again, according to Christ. We have to consider a nation or society under the governing powers that the Lord has asked us to be submissive to; whenever a choice doesn't have to be made to disobey God in order to be obedient to those in authority. When we look to the value of a human life; and the importance of a person's property or possessions a full restitution still holds as I see it. Those who stole; for instance are said to need to be providers; as the N.T. states.

It should be noted that blasphemy was to include both the native born (as in this case) AND the stranger as to the punishment of death. (v. 16). As far as being put outside the camp; that is where Christ became a curse for us. We realize that we have all in a sense cursed God and been enemies of God before salvation.

Genesis 2:2-3 , Ezekiel 46:1, Mark 1:21, Mark 6:2, Luke 4:16, Luke 4:31, Luke 6:1, Luke 13:10,

Isaiah 58:1-14, Exodus 20:8, Exodus 20:10-11,

Exodus 31:13,14,16, Leviticus 16:31, Leviticus 19:3, Leviticus 19:30, Leviticus 23:1-8, Leviticus 24:8, Leviticus 25:2, Leviticus 25:4, Leviticus 25:17, Jeremiah 17:19-27, Lamentations 1:1-7, Isaiah 1:11-17, Isaiah 56:1-8, Ezekiel 20:12, Ezekiel 22:26,

Amos 8:4-8, Mark 2:27,

Matthew 12:8, Matthew 12:1-27, Mark 3:1-11, Luke 6:6-11, Luke 13:11-17, Luke 14:3-6, Luke 14:12-24, Luke 23:3-56, John 5:1-16, John 7:22-24,

Colossians 2:8-17,

James 2:1-26

an opening in a wall ( 1 Kings 11:27 ; 2 Kings 12:5 ); the fracture of a limb ( Leviticus 24:20 ), and hence the expression, "Heal, etc." ( Psalms 60:2 ). Judges 5:17 , a bay or harbour;

WHO IS JESUS? PLEASE STUDY YOUR SCRIPTURE: Revelation 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. AND VERSE 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: AND AGAIN IN REVELATION 22:13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. ----BUT IN ISAIAH 44:"Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God." AND AGAIN ISAIAH 48:12Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called; I am he; I am the first, I also am the last.---WHY HE IS THE FIRST? BECAUSE HE IS THE BEGINNING OF ALL: GENESIS 1:1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. AND HE IS THE LAST: ECCLESIASTES 12:7Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.--- AND AGAIN IN MATTHEW 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. AND ALSO IN ( MARK 14:24; LUKE 22:20; AND IN 1 CORINTHIANS 11:25) ALL OF THESE VERSES DECLARED ABOUT THE NEW COVENANT. BUT THE COVENANT IS EVERLASTING IN EXODUS 31:16"Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant." AND AGAIN IN LEVITICUS 24:8Every sabbath he shall set it in order before the LORD continually, being taken from the children of Israel by an everlasting covenant.---THERE IS A CONTINUATION (NEXT COMMENT)

Hi Cary, at the personal response level, you're quite correct in saying that repaying evil for evil doesn't make one any better than the perpetrator. However, we also need to study the Scripture & context.

Jesus, in Matthew 5:38,39, was referring to the Old Testament commandments that God gave ( Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21). These directions were given for the proper judicial outcomes when God's Laws were disobeyed. So if it was found (by confession, by clear evidence or by witnesses) that a murder had taken place, then it was the proper judgement to mete out similar punishment as the crime. And this applied to a whole variety of offences, but such judgement was in the domain of the judges.

What was happening amongst the Jews in Jesus' day, was that those Scriptures were being applied to personal vengeance & retribution. The classic case is found in John 8:3-11, with the woman being accused of adultery to which the law required death. We see three things here: it was the religious leaders that demanded & would oversee the stoning rather than her going through an official judicial process (The Jewish Sanhedrin or the Roman Govt, depending on the crime). The person who should have cast the first stone (a large stone to the head to kill or bring to near death the criminal, & then others with smaller stones casting them at the lifeless body) failed to come forward. Jesus Word brought conviction: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." Fortunately for the woman, the leaders & the people realized that they were sinners, as she was, & were not entitled to administer punishment. And since none accused her, the matter was dropped & didn't make it to the judiciary.

So the "eye for an eye" rule was not to be carried out by the people filled with anger, set upon vengeance, but from a legally constituted system (though they too could have erred in judgement). Likewise, we too, cannot repay evil with evil rather with good.

Eric, I'm not aware of which discussion thread you're referring to: "stoning to death is just a spiritual death", so can't comment specifically on what was written there. But if that conversation was in respect of, for example, Stephen's stoning ( Acts 7:58), then it's clearly a physical stoning as all the verses depicting that event clearly show. Maybe, some people can't bear the thought of a person being stoned, as was done in those days & sometimes happens now under Islamic law in rural areas, & so they form their interpretation based on their feelings rather than fact. So please remember, those that offer their opinions, whether correctly based on Scripture or not, are doing just that (an opinion) & it's up to the reader to consider those comments & make their assessment - maybe even offer yours so that a good discussion can happen. God bless you in your journey.

Why are you guys saying stoning to death is just a spiritual death? Wouldn't the Bible say that and not left for us to interpret a different meaning? Maybe it's time I don't read the discussions anymore. We people make something more out of nothing.

You can't spiritually kill anyone; because we are born spiritually dead. Only Adam and Eve where created spiritually alive. But the day they ate of the tree they both spiritually died. And since then everyone born on earth are born spiritually dead. We can only be made spiritually alive again through the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

He's telling you that it would be better to lose one of these than to lose your soul.
Just don't sin and you will not have to do this.

There's only one sin that will not be forgiven unto men. he that blasphemeth against the holy ghost shall not be forgiven.

I love it

yara; The Commandment is, Thou shalt not commit murder: the punishment for crimes that demand the death penalty is not murder. Putting to death a person who commits murder is not murder; but righteous judgment. It is written in the Law of the Lord, that when someone raises a false witness against an innocent man to do him evil that the thing he thought to do shall be done to himself, without pity.

thou shalt not kill got thrown right out the window.