It’s curious to me reading the first part of Leviticus 24 where Moses is receiving instruction about the clear oil of pressed olives for the light of the lamps being kept burning continually outside the curtain that shields the ark in the tent of meeting; the bread a most holy part of the priests perpetual share of the food offerings presented to the Lord v. 1, 9,…. and v. 10. A young man goes out into the camp and a fight breaks out between him and another Israelite. The young man, half Israelite and half Egyptian, blasphemes the Name with a curse. They bring him to Moses and Moses waits for the will of the Lord to be made clear in what they should do. Then the Lord said to Moses: “Take the blasphemer outside the camp. All those who heard him are to lay their hands on his head, and the entire assembly is to stone him. Say to the Israelites: ‘Anyone who curses their God will be held responsible; anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death. The entire assembly must stone them. Whether foreigner or native-born, when they blaspheme the Name they are to be put to death.’” v. 13-16.

I tried to imagine what that was like for the people and their responsibility in carrying out the punishment. Lest the punishment for the crimes outlined in the rest of the chapter be beyond the original crime, instruction was given.

Seek and you will find. Are we seeking to know God? Was that young man seeking to know God? Do we read this chapter and think God is harsh? Do we seek to understand?

One day we will each of us stand before our Creator. That young man will stand before Him. Are we any different from that young man when we do not honor our Creator with our lips? Do we profane what is Holy? In profaning what is Holy, do we then blindly go on disrespecting everything else? God understands what is Holy and what is not. He understands the harm that our actions cause us and those around us. Have you watched the news lately? This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and Live! Ezekiel 18:32.

Repent and live…Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:19-20.

The Lord is our life. Honor Him and the wisdom He longs to share that leads us to Him. He will never lead us down the wrong path. He is Holy and he will faithfully lead us into the light of His truth where no darkness dwells to spoil the beauty of His love. Isn’t that what we long for deep in our innermost being? This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5.

All is not lost for that young man. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 1 Corinthians 15:19. Our Lord is life eternal. He loves that young man and He loves you and me.