While most of Leviticus relates God's law as given to Moses on Sinai, it also relates a historical incident that conveys a valuable lesson. An Israelitish woman's son, whose father was an Egyptian, strove (Leviticus 24:10) with an Israelite man. During this strife, "the son of the Israelitsh woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him unto Moses." (Leviticus 24:11) Moses, being judge of the people (Exodus 18:13), conferred with God about the matter. Leviticus 24:14 records the Lord's judgment: "Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him." For having a foul mouth, this man paid a high price--he lost his life.
We can learn two valuable lessons from this son of an Israelitish woman: 1. The incident illustrates God's view toward a foul mouth--He hates it. Proverbs 8:13 records Solomon's words: "The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the perverse mouth, do I hate." If God hates foul language, Christians should too.
Among brethren today, the subject of sanctification is an area of existing danger that many seem to be avoiding. The Christian is one who separates himself from this world's cares; however, with many brethren this separation is barely noticeable. Many Christians dress like the world, talk like the world, and are entertained like the world. Teenagers participate in revelry, attend concerts, and go to R-rated movies, all under a "We don't let it affect us" guise. God's people need to be reminded of the woe Isaiah pronounced in 5:20: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter..." God's people are called to be separate from the world (2 Corinthians 6:17). Christians are to have their senses exercised to discern between good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). Parents, teenagers, and children ought, when they hear foul language, to be offended instead of saying "it doesn't affect us."
The second lesson we learn from the son of the Israelitsh woman of Leviticus 24 is that we should detest a foul mouth. When we understand God's view of cursing and sin, we too will detest, rather than be entertained by, it (Deuteronomy 7:26). In my Bible, I underlined the phrase "let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head,.." (Leviticus 24:14). On the day of atonement the priests would lay their hands on the scapegoat, thereby symbolically transferring the people's sins to the innocent animal. In like manner, the laying on of the hands in this passage is significant. "The hearers or witnesses were to throw off from themselves the blasphemy which they had heard, and return it upon the head of the blasphemer, for him to expiate" (Keil and Delitzsch pg. 623). Does that not tell us how careful we ought to be about what we allow ourselves to listen to? God is teaching us the danger of placing in our minds evil words that may end up coming out of our mouths!
Entertainment is not wrong; however, choosing worldly entertainment can be fatal. When we choose to let filth enter our minds, do we not sin? Those who do have lost their sanctification. David said, "I will set no base thing before my eyes." (Psalm 101:3) Why is it that Christians not only set base things before their eyes, but also are not offended by the foul mouths they purposely contact through their associations? Brethren, hearing God's name used in a vain way ought to cause us great indignation. It ought to cause us righteous anger (Ephesians 4:26).
The son of the Israelitish woman made a fatal mistake. And he paid for it with his life! Shall I lose my soul, a much higher price, over a desire to be entertained by the filthy language being used in today's movies and by stand-up comedians? In the long run, is entertainment that important? I hope not. Learn to hate sin as God hates sin; and therein, you will find peace that far surpasses any entertainment you can experience on earth.
My good friend, the preacher in Las Vegas where I used to work, touches on a serious issue for many of us today. The world's standard for its language--no limitations. Many in the world today use God's name as often as they say "the" or "and." It is the word of choice for many comedians, song writers, actors, actresses, singers, politicians, radio disc jockeys, news reporters, sports figures, and the public at large. How often do you hear someone take the Lord's name in vain without even giving it a second thought? Even worse, many of us have become accustomed to such language, and it doesn't even bother us!
What's my point? Can I control how the world talks and the language it uses? Probably not. But, I can make my voice heard in other ways. I can be careful of the types of music I buy or the movies I rent. How about telling someone you don't appreciate the Lord's name being used in such a flippant way? "Oh, I couldn't do that; they might get mad." Who should we choose to offend--them or the Lord? When I was in the military, a young man who worked for me used the Lord's name in a cursing way several times every day. Finally, one day I sat him down and expressed my displeasure and how offensive it was to hear the Lord's name used in such a manner. He told me he would try to be more careful. About an hour later, he became angry and blurted it out again. He saw me look at him and blurted out "______ _____ I'm sorry!" What a sad state of affairs; he couldn't even tell me he was sorry without cussing!
Yes, we must live in the world, but we are not to be like the world. Romans 12:1,2 Let's be careful not to allow the world's carefree attitude to become our attitude. Correct those who use foul language in your presence. Maybe next time, they will be more careful and think before they speak. Doesn't our Lord want us to be examples, not only in deeds, but also in words? --KG