"Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and when all who heard him have laid their hands on his head, let the whole community stone him. Tell the Israelites: Anyone who blasphemes God shall bear the penalty;" Leviticus 24:14-15
Seems rather harsh doesn't it, being killed for blaspheming God. Is God really telling the Israelites to stone him to death. No, I am sure those that laid hands upon his head were guilty of the same sin. "But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7 This young man was innocent, his father was an Egyptian and did not have the same understanding as the community but he was still put to death. He was the scapegoat for their sins - "Laying both hands on its head, he shall confess over it all the iniquities of the Israelites and their trespasses, including all their sins, and so put them on the goat's head. He shall then have it led into the wilderness by an attendant." Leviticus 16:21. Some will point to this verse as a justification of God killing but there is more to the story. Jesus was killed for the same sin of blasphemy, an innocent man. We are no different than the Israelites when we condemn others of their wrong doing. God isn't telling us to kill, he is telling us to drop the stone, remove the plank and understand self. We are to place our iniquities upon Jesus and live Holy life's as best as we can, with God in the inside. He does not expect perfection. "[Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."] Luke 23:34a
What is God saying to me: time with me, is time well spent, you see your own frailties and I sent My Son for them. He is your scapegoat.
Dear Lord God, You are so good to me each day pointing the way to understanding and knowledge. I thank You Father for this gift and the ability to convey Your message. I am far from perfect, You know all my imperfections and yet You love me anyway. I pray for continued understanding and knowledge, for the desire to continue pushing forward and the compassion to be considerate of others and all our shortcomings. I can not throw a stone for it is I that I will be condemning. Prayers for a young family that is being devastated by a medical condition, Lord, You are a good, good Father, we pray for a miracle in this situation. We trust in You and Your divine will, in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Queen of Peace, Amen.
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