Unusual for Leviticus, a bit of narrative now enters the picture. Read it please. “And the son of an Israelitish woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel: and this son of the Israelitish woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp; and the Israelitish woman’s son blasphemed the name of the LORD, and cursed.” Leviticus 24:10-11 (The man will ultimately be put to death for this major Violation.)
WHY is this shocking event reported immediately after that lovely Section on the Candlestick and Table of Bread? On God shining the sweet Light of His Presence upon His people?
I think this is part of the reason. Any blessing from God (including Communion, Fellowship, Intimacy) involves knowing God, honoring God, enjoying His Person, His Name and His Character. (His “Attributes,” the theologians say).
Here’s a prime Old Testament example. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27, the famous God-commanded “Priestly Blessing.”
Note that God’s Name is reference three times in the Blessing proper. “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Count them!
Light (think Candlestick) shining upon God’s united people (think the golden Table of Shewbread, twelve loaves) … is here illustrated as God’s NAME placed on His people!
In fact, notice the last verse (number 27) above … where God says: “And they (the priests) shall put MY NAME upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”
Wow!
NOW … I see what this man’s sin of blaspheming God’s Name is placed exactly here in the chapter!
There is a direct Link between honoring God’s NAME, enjoying God’s Light …. and receiving God’s Blessings!
More about this sin, this man … tomorrow, the Lord willing.
Meanwhile … honor the Lord, His Name all day long!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Just as the “Blessing” cited above uses God’s NAME three times … so does the full Account of this man’s blasphemy mention God’s NAME three times! The Holy Spirit is telling us something here!
Numbers 6 … how to do it, honor God’s Name! Leviticus 24 (verses 10 onward) … how NOT to do it, a man dishonoring God’s NAME!
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