In the last of four sections in the book of Leviticus, Moses writes concerning maintaining individual holiness. Several issues are mentioned under the section of individual holiness including sacrifice and food (Leviticus 17), sexual behavior (Leviticus 18), relationships to friends and family (Leviticus 19), capital punishment (Leviticus 20), behavior of priests (Leviticus 21-22), religious festivals (Leviticus 23), ceremonial/moral regulations (Leviticus 24), and laws regarding special years (Leviticus 25). In this particular passage, God instructs Moses and nation of Israel concerning penalties for breaking the law. Most of the crimes mentioned in this chapter are punishable by death. Why such a harsh punishment for the crimes mentioned? God wanted Israel, His chosen people, to understand the seriousness of sin. Proper punishment for sin was necessary to prevent others from committing the same crimes. Throughout the scriptures the death penalty was reserved for the most heinous crimes such as premeditated murder (Exodus 21:12), kidnapping (Exodus 21:16), disrespect for parents (Exodus 21:17), adultery (Leviticus 20:10), homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:13-16, 23), and idolatry (Deuteronomy 13:6-10).
Several crimes punishable by death are specifically mentioned in Leviticus 20. First, any individual who offered their child as a sacrifice to the false god, Molech, was to be stoned with stones (20:1-3). The death penalty would also include anyone who hid their eyes from such a crime (20:4-5). Another crime which was to be punished by death was necromancy, which was a summoning of the spirits (20:6, 27). Persistent rebellion and disrespect for parents was to be punished by putting that child to death (20:9). Adultery (20:10), incest (20:11-12, 17), homosexuality (20:13), polygamy (20:14), bestiality (20:15-16), and intercourse during a woman’s menstrual cycle (20:18) were to be punished by putting the offenders to death. Other forms of incest are mentioned in Leviticus 20:19-21 but the punishment seems to be barrenness instead of death.
The teaching on capital crimes ends with God commanding the Israelites to obey all of the instructions which had been given to them by the mouth of Moses (20:22). Obeying the Lord’s commandments would keep them distinct from the pagan nation that currently inhabited the Promised Land (20:23-24). The concluding verses of Leviticus 20 remind the people of Israel that God had set them apart from all other nations to make them a holy people as He was a holy God (20:25-26). Disobedience to His ways would not be tolerated. Prior to giving His law, God had told the nation of Israel, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6).
Dear God, may I walk in Your ways and obey Your commandments.
