Retribution and Justice (Leviticus 24:1-23)
Chapter 24 of Leviticus feels like a series of non-sequiturs. It interrupts other instructions about annual feasts and traditions to talk about daily ceremonial provisions and a narrative case study in punishment.
The narrative is, however, important and illuminating. It seems a man and a woman had a fight, and the man blasphemed against YHWH in the course of that fight. Blasphemy had already been identified as a crime, but no punishment had been described. Also, the man was not a full Hebrew, so how would the law apply to him?
At this point, God declares the punishment to be death. It seems a bit harsh for a crime of words, but there is nothing more important in the Kingdom of God. God must not only receive the glory He is due, but He must not be disrespected. Rebellion is the essence of all other sin. And race or nationality makes no difference. If one is to be a part of the camp, one must abide by the laws. But one is also protected by those very laws as well.
The law of retribution is also established here. The idea of “and eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth” is seen today as barbaric. However, it is actually a curbing of injustice. Judges are kept from entertaining revenge or punishments that exceed the crime. And it is not a case of actually meting out eye-gouging or tooth extraction. It is more likely fines were measured out that would fit the equivalent of a crime. And here too we see that justice and the protections that come with it are assured to both Israelites as well as foreigners. Everyone is equal under the law.
The narrative is, however, important and illuminating. It seems a man and a woman had a fight, and the man blasphemed against YHWH in the course of that fight. Blasphemy had already been identified as a crime, but no punishment had been described. Also, the man was not a full Hebrew, so how would the law apply to him?
At this point, God declares the punishment to be death. It seems a bit harsh for a crime of words, but there is nothing more important in the Kingdom of God. God must not only receive the glory He is due, but He must not be disrespected. Rebellion is the essence of all other sin. And race or nationality makes no difference. If one is to be a part of the camp, one must abide by the laws. But one is also protected by those very laws as well.
The law of retribution is also established here. The idea of “and eye for and eye and a tooth for a tooth” is seen today as barbaric. However, it is actually a curbing of injustice. Judges are kept from entertaining revenge or punishments that exceed the crime. And it is not a case of actually meting out eye-gouging or tooth extraction. It is more likely fines were measured out that would fit the equivalent of a crime. And here too we see that justice and the protections that come with it are assured to both Israelites as well as foreigners. Everyone is equal under the law.
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