When the Half-Israelite Was Killed
Today, we read the strange and off-putting account of a half-Egyptian, half-Israelite man who is executed outside the camp.
10 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. His mother's name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. 12 And they put him in custody, till the will of the Lord should be clear to them. [Exodus 24:10-12]
They are instructed to put the man to death, which seems harsh.
This is one of those times that context helps make sense of the passage.
Immediately afterwards, the Israelites are given some principles about law and order, told that punishment ought to fit the crime. So, that makes us think that there is something uniquely bad about what the man did, since his offense was met with the death penalty.
Then, in the following chapters, we will read about how the Israelites, if they obey the Lord, will be extraordinarily blessed, but that if they ignore his voice, the consequence will be exile from the land, which means death.
Putting it all together, here is what the strange account of the man who blasphemes the name is meant to teach:
The most important thing the Israelites had is their relationship to the Lord, which is life itself. If they misuse that relationship and twist it so that it becomes a curse, then death will be the result.
NOTE: Sorry about skipping yesterday’s commentary—I forgot to post.
