Chapter 24 contains an account of a man who had “blasphemed the Name.” The judgment God declared upon him was stoning! Now, to me, that is a hard passage to reconcile in my mind. In our day, someone who had cursed or blasphemed the name of God would not be stoned to death. In fact, in the right crowd, he/she would be cheered. But, this passage shows just how holy the Israelites considered God to be. If we, as the church, would compare our attitudes toward God to the Israelites’ attitude toward God, we will find ourselves direly lacking. God help me to keep a reverent attitude toward you.
I do want to point out in this same passage, that it was the entire assembly which stoned the man – not merely the priests, or elders, or men – the entire assembly took part in the judgment of this man. While this is a horrendous action, it also reveals the community mindset of the Israelites. The entire community took part in this judgment.
In chapter 25, we see the description of the year of jubilee. Wow! All the indebted people are released from their debts. All property that someone sold is returned to the original owner. This is definitely a way to keep a family from becoming so poverty stricken that they cannot take care of themselves. It is also a way to keep the rich from becoming richer while the poor become poorer. I am amazed at the provisions God makes for the poor. Even if a person sells himself, God told the Israelites not to work this person as a slave, but as a hired hand, and this person is released in the year of jubilee. Thank you, God, that you make provisions for both the rich and the poor. Help me to do the same. Help me to value all life equally.
In chapter 26, God describes exactly what will happen to the Israelites if they disobey the Lord. It was interesting to read, as exactly what God said would happen is what happens later on in the Old Testament. God keeps his promises – both the good and the bad. God, thank you that you are faithful. Help me to be faithful, too. I want to receive your blessings, not your punishments. Help me to be faithful so that I may do so.
Blessings,
Dee
