And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; and the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:) and they put him in ward, that the mind of the LORD might be shewed them. | ||
| Leviticus 24:10–12 | ||
| Here we see the responsibility of the people to protect God’s holy name. When, during a fight, the son of an Israelite woman and an Egyptian man blasphemed the name of the Lord, the people of God weren’t sure whether he was to be held to the same standards as they were. So they put him in ward, in custody, and sought the mind of the Lord—always a wise thing to do. Had Moses come to me asking what I thought he should do with a man who was half Egyptian and half Jew and had blasphemed the Lord’s name during a fight, my tendency would have been to say, “Let’s discuss this. He doesn’t have the background the rest of us have had. Here’s a chance for us to be merciful, to show grace, to demonstrate to the Egyptian people how kind, big-hearted, and loving we are. Let’s not rush into this matter. Let’s give him a warning, explain why we don’t say those things around here, and let him go. After all, he’s half Egyptian.” But verses 13 through 16 show me just how far my thoughts are from God’s, that I’m not nearly as wise as I think I am. And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin. And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death. - Leviticus 24:13–16 Maybe you’re like me. Maybe you think you know what’s right and what’s wise. But, on the basis of this passage, I encourage you, even as I remind myself, rather than making a decision based upon dialogue, discussion, and debate, to seek the Lord in prayer and see what He says concerning any given matter. God speaks to those who are on their knees seeking Him sincerely, admitting they lack wisdom. God’s will is not a mystery. The only question is, will we do what He tells us to do? Pastor Jon Courson | ||
