Lev 24:10-23: A Case Study in Getting What You Deserve

1. Introduction
   1. Set the stage: Israel in the desert
2. Text: Lev 24:10-23
3. Blasphemy
   1. What is blasphemy?
   2. Violation of the Third Commandment (Ex 20:7)
   3. Cursing God (Ex 22:28)
      1. Cf. Job: "Curse God and die"
   4. Pride
      1. Cf. Sennacherib of Assyria (2 Kings 18-19) boasting of his power over Israel & the world
   5. Unbelief
      1. Cf. God's indictment of Israel for forsaking him to go after idols (Ez 20:27-28)
   6. It's not hard to see this all around us
   7. Blasphemy is a feature of the anti-Christian world
      1. Rev. 17 "The Woman and the Beast"
      2. Represents wicked, worldly authority
      3. Responsible for the killing of the saints
      4. The Lamb will overcome, and with him will be his called, chosen, and faithful followers
4. Stoning
   1. Why was an offering not possible?
      1. Offerings are for unintentional sins
      2. This is a high-handed or intentional sin
      3. cf. Num 15:22-31
   2. Those who heard also received guilt, hence the placing of hands on the head of the one to be stoned
   3. The community reflects God's character, so the community must respond
5. Principle of Proportionality
   1. What about Mt 5:38-42?
   2. The law was providing a general principle
   3. Jesus' teaching is directed at using this principle for personal vengeance
   4. Vengeance belongs to the Lord (Rom 12:19)
   5. Civil authority also does not bear the sword in vain (Rom 13:4)
   6. The Christian response
      1. Love your enemies
      2. Pray for those who persecute you
      3. Repay evil with good
   7. A side note: Does this imply that not all sin is equal?
6. Where is the grace?
   1. We are actually all guilty of high-handed sins
      1. The story as an illustration
         1. Of Israel's history of disobedience
         2. Of fallen humanity trying to relate to God apart from Christ
      2. Jesus' sacrifice, unlike those of the OT, can take away guilt for real, even for intentional sins & rebellion (Heb 10:4, Rom 5:8, Eph 2:1-10)
      3. We need the gospel in order to be holy
         1. Positionally
         2. Actually
      4. We ought to love much for having been forgiven much
      5. We ought to forgive and love one another
      6. We ought to receive correction as life-giving and respond with repentance and gratitude
   2. The Apostle Paul as an example of a forgiven blaphemer (Acts 26:11, 1 Tim 1:13)
   3. Holiness in the community is just as important
      1. 1 Pet 2:9-10
7. Conclusion: Regen Reflection
   1. In what ways do you see blasphemous tendencies in your own heart?
   2. How can we guard holiness in our New Covenant community?
   3. Prayer
      1. Confession of intentional sins
      2. Thanksgiving for Jesus sacrifice for intentional sins