Okay, I have to explain the title because it is very clever and I would be devistated if no one caught it (you should it is not really that clever). So a man does, literally, get stoned in the this chapter (rocks not drugs) but the clever part is that he gets this rudimentary form of punishment for something he said, a literal remark. The word literal taking on two meanings...whatever, I thought it quite clever...don't judge me!
Back to business, in this chapter more laws are put in place and others are reiterated to strengthen belief. A couple of interesting notes:
- The laws were for all man, not just the Israelites. So if a stranger stole an ox from an Israelite he had to replace that ox just as surly as if the transgression were reversed.
- There would be only one manner of law and no other law should take precedent over the law brought forth by God through Moses.
Right, so to put these laws into literal affect, Moses sent some people to deal with a stranger (not an Israelite), who had reportedly cursed the name of the Lord while wandering outside of town...
LEVITICUS 24:23
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.
How is that for an in-your-face example of keeping the Lord's name in the most highest of regard. Probably sent a clear message don't you think? The thing I like the most about this account is not that the Israelites followed through with the law, but, that they did as the Lord commanded, not Moses, Moses was merely the mouthpiece. Yes, Moses laid out the task before them but the verse is clear in its last sentence that they, "...did as The Lord commanded Moses." It does not say, "...they did as Moses commanded." The Israelites clearly understood that Moses had a direct line of communication with God and, without asking, knew a directive from Moses was in fact a directive from God.
~Kipling
~Kipling
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