“Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth any of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones.”
Context: The book of Leviticus is part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, traditionally believed to have been written by Moses. Leviticus contains various laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites concerning their worship, moral conduct, and societal interactions. Chapter 20 deals with various offenses and their corresponding punishments.
Explanation and Commentary: In Leviticus 20:2, God instructs Moses to address the children of Israel and establish a severe penalty for anyone who sacrifices their children to Molech, an idolatrous god worshipped by some neighboring nations. Offering children as sacrifices to Molech involved passing them through fire, which was a heinous and detestable practice.
This commandment demonstrates God’s abhorrence of child sacrifice and His desire to protect the sanctity of human life. It underscores the importance of honoring God’s commandments and not falling into the practices of the surrounding nations.
The punishment prescribed for such an offense was death by stoning. Stoning was a common form of capital punishment in ancient Israel, and it served as a deterrent against the violation of God’s laws. The people of Israel were responsible for carrying out the execution, indicating the community’s role in upholding God’s standards of righteousness.
Practical Application:
- Reject Idolatry: Leviticus 20:2 teaches us to abstain from any form of idolatry. In our modern context, we may not engage in child sacrifices, but idolatry can take other forms. We must identify and eliminate anything that hinders our devotion and worship of the one true God. This includes material possessions, personal ambitions, and anything that takes precedence over our relationship with God.
- Protect the Sanctity of Life: The commandment against child sacrifice emphasizes the sanctity of human life. As followers of God, we are called to respect and protect life at all stages. This includes promoting the well-being of children, defending the unborn, and advocating for the dignity and value of every individual.
- Uphold God’s Standards: Leviticus 20:2 reminds us of the importance of upholding God’s standards of righteousness. As believers, we are called to live according to God’s commandments, even when they may conflict with the prevailing practices of society. We should resist the pressure to conform to worldly standards and instead strive to please God in our thoughts, words, and actions.
- Responsibility for Justice: The role of the people in executing the punishment serves as a reminder that the community has a responsibility to uphold justice. While we may not be called to carry out physical punishments today, we can contribute to a just society by promoting righteousness, seeking justice, and standing against wrongdoing.
Remember, as Christians, we are under the new covenant established through Jesus Christ. The sacrificial system and the penalties described in Leviticus were fulfilled in Christ, who became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. However, the principles underlying these commandments, such as the sanctity of life and the call to live according to God’s standards, still hold significance for us today.
