Leviticus 24 - Day 151

Leviticus 24 - Day 151 (link to reading plan)

Scripture: Leviticus 24

Commentary: This incident underlines the seriousness of the surrounding laws (cf. ch. 10). The surprising number of details about the man’s identity show that this was not just a vague story, but a well-remembered event. His offence was that he blasphemed the Name (i.e. the personal name of God, Yahweh) with a curse (11). Misuse of the divine name and cursing God were strictly forbidden and were among the most serious offences against the very covenant itself (Ex. 20:7; 22:28). The preceding chapters show us that the offence was not merely a matter of casual foul language, such as thoughtlessly sprinkles everyday speech nowadays in public and on the media. The name of Yahweh had been repeated in almost every paragraph of the laws. It was his character that shaped the whole social system of Israel and his authority that stamped their covenant law. Thus, to blaspheme and curse him was in effect to repudiate his authority and to reject his law. It was a crime against the whole community who depended on God’s continued protection under the covenant, and therefore set the offender outside that community. The death penalty in a sense sealed the offender’s own decision.

 Wright, C. J. H. (1994). Leviticus. In D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, & G. J. Wenham (Eds.), New Bible commentary: 21st century edition (4th ed., p. 152). Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press.

Application: Words are important for they define the ethos of a culture, but more importantly who we are as a person.  Just because our society uses God and Jesus' name to express their surprise, disbelief and exasperations doesn't mean that it's ok.  Can you imagine exclaiming a famous persons name, for example - Abraham Lincolm, everytime you stub your toe or make a mistake.  Yeah, you get my point.  Ridiculous right?  So why has our society adopted the use of "OMG" to express ourselves, in such a way that minimizes the Creator of the universe?  Because they don't know or respect Him.  It's our responsibility to help them know how wonderful God is.

God deserves to be worshipped with all of our heart, mind, soul and body.  His name should not be taken in vain.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me...