Leviticus 24:10-11
Now an Israelite woman’s son, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the people of Israel. And the Israelite woman’s son and a man of Israel fought in the camp, 11 and the Israelite woman’s son blasphemed the Name, and cursed. Then they brought him to Moses.
My old pastor, Bob Sloan, used to joke that the only difference in becoming a member of a church is that you can then be put under church discipline. Of course, he meant that it was also a blessing in that it is the result of shepherding and love. Here though, is a man with an Israelite mother and an Egyptian father who is not a “member” of the covenant people, but blasphemed against the Name. Can the elders practice discipline on him? You bet they can. Mark Rucker makes it clear that, though the law protects the sojourner, that visitor is still subject to the law. The Name is sacred to the Israelite and the sojourner.
The man was then put to death for his crime. Now, here we are in a new covenant and blasphemies against the Name abound in our society. Now though, we are under the New Covenant. There is no death penalty for blasphemy in or out of the church. We are in a covenant of grace and we are spared the punishment we deserve. Returning to the theme of membership though, the church is to discipline the member who brings shame on the church. God will see to the unbeliever himself. Praise God for his mercy and forgiveness for we deserve death.
Dear Lord, thank you for commuting the death sentence on us through the perfect Lamb Of God. May we take worship of you seriously as a result. In Jesus’ name. Amen.