Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Cursing

Leviticus 24:23
And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the LORD commanded Moses.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary says,
"This offender was the son of an Egyptian father, and an Israelitish mother. The notice of his parents shows the common ill effect of mixed marriages. A standing law for the stoning of blasphemers was made upon this occasion. Great stress is laid upon this law. It extends to the strangers among them, as well as to those born in the land. Strangers, as well as native Israelites, should be entitled to the benefit of the law, so as not to suffer wrong; and should be liable to the penalty of this law, in case they did wrong. If those who profane the name of God escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgments. What enmity against God must be in the heart of man, when blasphemies against God proceed out of his mouth. If he that despised Moses' law, died without mercy, of what punishment will they be worthy, who despise and abuse the gospel of the Son of God! Let us watch against anger, do no evil, avoid all connexions with wicked people, and reverence that holy name which sinners blaspheme."

There are times when we are called upon to obey difficult things. I am thankful we no longer punish evil doers n this manner but I do wonder when men decided we could be different? When was it ever decided that we could allow profanity and blasphemous language to be so commonplace and to go unchallenged?

I do not believe I have ever heard that these sorts of things were a part of the constitutional discussion for America. I have read that the framers of our constitution considered blasphemy as a disqualifier for public office, but never that the man who cursed would be stoned.

So I am not calling for a revival of this practice, but I do believe we ought to have a revival of the sense of offense at blasphemous language.

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