GiGi's Leviticus Chapter 24 comment on 1/13/2023, 7:01pm...
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.
GiGi's Leviticus Chapter 24 comment on 1/13/2023, 6:47pm...
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.
View All Leviticus Chapter 24 Discussion...
GiGi's Leviticus Chapter 24 comment on 1/13/2023, 7:01pm...
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.
GiGi's Leviticus Chapter 24 comment on 1/13/2023, 6:47pm...
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.
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