Then God spoke to Moses: “Take the blasphemer outside the camp. Have all those who heard him place their hands on his head; then have the entire congregation stone him. Then tell the Israelites, “Anyone who curses God will be held accountable; anyone who blasphemes the Name of God must be put to death.” (Leviticus 24:13-16 The Message)
Relief
Cheating on your taxes is perilous. The IRS is not known for kindness, understanding, or patience. Be assured you will not get away with it.
And God is even more severe. For many, this passage should be terrifying. Blaspheming, using God’s name as a curse, or expression of anger and pain, or casually brings a very severe punishment here.
God takes all sin seriously. The justice of God demands punishment.
But for Christians, this expectation, while serious, does not cause fear.
Because God was absolutely honest when He declares that blasphemy will be punished by death.
For Christians, though, Jesus was punished instead of us. It is not that we get away with it… it is that Jesus was killed instead of us. It is not that God nicely ignores our disobedience… it is that Jesus was already punished instead of us. It is not that our sins are too small to notice… it is that God notices and Jesus pays the price.
So when we read of this stoning in Leviticus… we can feel relief. A sad relief. A serious relief. But a peaceful relief.
We are peculiar, God gives us relief.