Lev 20: "Having set forth moral principles for the observation
of Israelites, Yahweh now proceeds to outline the penalties attached to
disobedience in these several particulars. Discipline and punishment is
necessary in an organized society, for otherwise, flesh being what it is, human
nature would flout the divine will. The Land of Canaan was burdened with the
vilest forms of wickedness, and rigorous, ruthless measures were needed to keep
at bay the vices and immoral practises that were common throughout the land.
Hence severe penalties were laid down, which the rulers were to carry out. The
Law listed offences that could not be atoned for, and were not forgivable except
by specific divine decree (as in the case of David), but in Christ there is
justification for things 'that could not be justified under the law' (Mar
3:28,29; Act 13:39)" (Expos).
"Miriam, the prophetess, Aaron the priest, and Moses the
lawgiver, stand pre-eminently for the Old Covenant. The death of Miriam and
Aaron on the very eve of entering the Land, and the failure of Moses, taught
that the Law, the Prophets or the Priesthood could not lead into the Promised
rest, and it was left to Joshua, the Yahoshua of the times, to do so. So the
record continues: [1] Miriam dies: v 1. [2] Moses is provoked to sin: vv 2-6.
[3] Moses and Aaron plead: v 6. [4] The mercy of Yahweh is expressed: vv 7-9.
[5] Moses acts impatiently: vv 9-11. [6] Divine punishment is determined: vv
12,13. [7] Edom refuses Israel's passage through their Land: vv 14-21. [8] Death
of Aaron in the Land of Adam: vv 22-29" (GEM).
Lev 20:9
IF ANYONE CURSES HIS FATHER OR MOTHER, HE MUST BE PUT TO
DEATH. HE HAS CURSED HIS FATHER OR HIS MOTHER, AND HIS BLOOD WILL BE ON HIS OWN
HEAD: This respect for authority and particularly for our parents' authority
is a constant theme in scripture. We have all been through times when this has
been hard, and that is based on the recognition of the human failings of our own
parents, but we do have a Father who doesn't have these failings, and it is
respect for Him that we are expected to practice with our human parents first.
This places a big responsibility on those of us who are parents to earn that
respect too. Cp Exo 21:17; Pro 20:20; 30:11,17. Revised and made harder for us
in Mat 5:45.