Read Leviticus 21-24

“Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death;” Leviticus 24:16a

There are several instances of capital punishment recorded in the Pentateuch; Today’s Reading provides one of them. We’re told that two men were fighting one day; one was the son of an Egyptian father and the other a normal Jew. While they were fighting “the son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name and cursed”. The People watching realize he has just broken one of the 10 Commandments, in this case the 3^rd, and probably the first time something like this has happened. They know this is serious, so they “put him in custody, waiting for Moses to give them a clear decision in accordance with the command of the Lord”.

And what did God say? “Bring the one who has cursed outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have all the congregation stone him.” You shall also speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone curses his God, then he will bear the responsibility for his sin. Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord must be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him. The stranger as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.” Serious Business!!!

So what do we learn from this? As I’ve mentioned before, “This” is the God “We” Worship! He has not changed! This is how He addressed Violating His Law. My question today is, Do We? Is this how Serious we see breaking the 3^rd Commandment, or for that matter, any of the other Nine? I can tell you this, if we were put to death for “Taking God’s Name in Vain” today, there wouldn’t be a lot of us left. I know I wouldn’t be here! Has God changed? And, like I’ve said before, NO! God Is HOLY, and must be treated HOLY!!! When we break His Law, it has consequences. In this man’s case, it meant his life. This is what makes Sin REAL. This is why Paul says “through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.” And this is why Jesus came! So that we can be Saved from our failing to keep the Law. That is why it is called GOOD NEWS!