Blasphemy is an oft mentioned, but often misunderstood term. In the Greek it means to curse. So those whose words use Jehovah’s name in a curse, or curse Him are blaspheming Him. What will Jehovah do to those who curse in this manner?
Leviticus 24:10 Now the son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the sons of Israel; and the Israelite woman's son and a man of Israel struggled with each other in the camp.
As we remember, many others from Egypt joined with the Israelites when they left Egypt. Here we see that some even intermarried.
24:11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name and cursed. So they brought him to Moses. (Now his mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)
24:12 They put him in custody so that the command of the LORD might be made clear to them.
This is very similar to the problem from last week when they discovered a man gathering wood. They knew enough to ask Jehovah, probably through Moses, what should be done?
24:13 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24:14 "Bring the one who has cursed outside the camp, and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then let all the congregation stone him.
We have a little rhyme that goes something like this, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” However, that is not true in many situations. Many words spoken can actually cause pain to the recipient. Words can be hurtful, painful, and even cause physical harm. How does Jehovah look at our words?
Matthew 12:36 "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 12:37 "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
So we now read that Jehovah records every ‘careless’ word we speak! Our words now can hurt us! Most people go through life without any care or consideration of what they actually say to others. At judgment, they will be condemned by the very words they may have used to condemn or curse others.
24:15 "You shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'If anyone curses his God, then he will bear his sin.
Exodus
20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
This means in a totally worthless or evil manner.
24:16 'Moreover, the one who blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him. The alien as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.
Jehovah is very serious about the commandments He has given us.
They are meant to save us from harm.
They are intended for our own good.
They are meant to make our lives fuller, safer, more joyful, and complete.
More next Saturday.