Leviticus 24:10-23 And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel… Here a narrative is introduced into the midst of a code of laws; but this is done as a preamble to enactments of whose publication the case was the occasion. We notice - I. THE CRIME OF THIS SON OF SHELOMITH. 1. It was blaspheming the God of Israel. (1) We are not distinctly informed as to the particular form of this blasphemy. We are, however, told that this man, whose name is not given, was "the son of an Israelitish woman," that his father was an Egyptian, and that in striving with a man of Israel he blasphemed the sacred Name. It may hence be concluded that he angrily reflected upon the Divine equity in favouring the seed of Jacob. Anger is certainly implied in the words, "blasphemed the Name, and cursed." (2) Here was the very spirit of Satan, whose rebellion against God was probably excited by the honour he had put upon man. "Is thine eye evil because I am good?" (3) Is not that hatred to God which is in the carnal mind of the very essence of this blasphemy? Though the manifestations be restrained, the venom is still there. Let us beware how we entertain hard thoughts of God. 2. Strife was its occasion. (1) How little do men dream, when they enter into strife, where they may be carried by their passions (see Proverbs 17:14)! The moral, therefore, is that it should be carefully avoided. (2) But how is this to be done? We must "give none offense." We must be willing to suffer wrong. The spirit (or temper) of Christ is gained through the indwelling of his (Divine) Spirit. 3. Race was the origin of the strife. (1) It appears to have been a contention between a pure Israelite and a mongrel. The father of Shelomith's son was probably one of the mixed multitude that came up with the Hebrews from Egypt. (2) Traced back another step, we find the origin in the marriage of Shelomith. Mixed marriages have ever been prolific in mischief. Of these sprang the monsters, viz. not so much in stature as in iniquity, who provoked the Deluge. (3) Even Dibri, the father of Shelomith, was, remotely, responsible for the blasphemy of her son, by consenting to her marriage with an alien. How careful we should be never to commit a wrong, since no man can tell how prolific it may be in mischief! The day of judgment will declare it. II. THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE BLASPHEMER. 1. His witnesses arrested him. (1) They were bound to do so. Had they allowed him to escape they would have been accomplices in his crime (see Leviticus 19:17, margin). They might have brought down the wrath of God upon the nation. Witness how Achan troubled Israel (Joshua 7:1), and how David also brought down a plague upon his people (2 Samuel 24:15-17). (2) Happy is the nation whose sons are jealous for the honour of God (see Psalm 69:9). Happy is the nation whose sons are guardians of its morality. This is public spirit in perfection. 2. They kept him in ward for the judgment of God. (1) They brought his case before Moses (verse 11). This was in accordance with Divine direction (see Exodus 18:22). They might have wreaked a summary vengeance, but they chose the more excellent way. "Judgment is of God" (Deuteronomy 1:17); therefore judgment should be deliberate. (2) Moses accordingly appealed to God. Every cause must come ultimately before him. This should never be forgotten. III. THE JUDGMENT OF THE LORD. 1. This had respect to the particular offender. (1) He was to be carried without the camp, as an outcast from society and a person excommunicated from the Church. (2) There he was to die for his sin. The witnesses put their hands on his head. This was to clear themselves of all complicity in his guilt. His blood then ostensibly was upon his own head. (3) Stoning him was to be the mode of his punishment. The witnesses cast the first stone, and the congregation, by their representatives, followed, until he perished. Dins, as Henry says, in allusion to Psalm 64:8, The tongue of the blasphemer fell heavily (see Deuteronomy 17:7; John 8:7). 2. It had also respect to the community. (1) This judgment was now made a law in Israel, as well for the stranger as for him that is born in the land. (2) It was also enacted that murder must be visited with death (verses 17, 20). This was the incorporation in the Levitical code of the Noachian precept recorded in Genesis 9:6. (3) The principle of compensation and retaliation was asserted (verses 19, 20). In things judicial this principle still holds, though in matters of private wrong the gospel direction is that evil be suffered rather than revenged (see Matthew 5:38, 39; Matthew 7:1, 2). - J.A.M. Parallel Verses KJV: 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; |
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