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Scripture Reading    : Lev 20

Theme                        : Capital Punishment

The ominous phrase “put to death” is found nine times in this chapter, for “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Chapter 20 is a list of offences that demand “death penalty.” But fear of death is not the highest motive for holy living. “I am the Lord who sanctifies you” (v. 8) ought to be motivation enough (Phil. 2:12–13).

Idolatry(1–5).

Molech was the Ammonite god whom the people worshiped by sacrificing their children on the altar or presenting them as temple prostitutes. The modern idols of money, possessions, success, and position have cost many parents their children.

Spiritism(6–8).

Idolatry and spiritism go together (1 Cor. 10:19–22). The increasing interest in satanism in our own day is frightening, and no Christian ought to joke about Satan or have anything to do with satanic practices.

Dishonoring parents(9).

This verse emphasizes the fifth commandment (Exod. 20:12) and repeats the law given in Exodus 21:17. (See Prov. 20:20; 30:11, 17; 2 Tim. 3:1–4.)

Immorality(10–21).

Adultery, incest, homosexuality, and bestiality are condemned, for these things are contrary to nature (Rom. 1:24–27). God created sex and marriage, and we should abide by His laws regarding them.

Praying the Scripture

1. The Lord is very serious about the sin of idolatry and the sin of consulting the spiritual world. Christians are not to turn to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, this is abomination to the Lord and the punishment is death (Lev 20:6). Let’s pray that we do not have any interest in the dark spiritual world such as dark magic, consulting the dead or spirits etc. Let’s us keep ourselves pure and focus on the Word of God and His Word only.
2. For anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him. (Lev 20:9) Let’s pray that we take this command seriously as we live in an anti-authority society and some of us even curse our parents. This is abomination to the Lord. It is a serious offence in the eyes of our Lord. Let’s learn to respect and honor our parents, because this is pleasing in the sight of the Lord.

^[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Le 20:1.

经文：利 20章

主题：极刑

“要治死”这一凶句在本篇章中出现了9次，因为“罪的工价就是死”（罗6:23）。第20章为我们列出了所有要判“死刑的罪行”。然而，死亡的恐惧并非是圣洁生活的最高动机。“我是叫你们成圣的耶和华”（8节）应当足以让我们朝这方向而行（腓2:12-13）。

拜偶像（1-5）

摩洛是亚扪人的神；亚扪人将自己的孩子献在祭坛上或赐给寺庙当庙妓来拜自己的神。今天的偶像如钱财、名利和身份地位也让许多家长们赔上了自己的孩子。

交鬼（6-8）

拜偶像和交鬼是并行的（林前10:19-22）。今日，人们对撒旦的日增关注是可怕的，而基督徒不得拿撒旦或鬼魔行为当玩笑。

不孝敬父母（9）

这节经文强调第五诫（出20:12），也重申了出埃及记21:17中的律法。 （见箴20:20；30:11，17；提后3:1-4）。

败坏（10-21）

通奸、乱伦、同性恋、人兽淫合都是神必审判的，因这与自然背道而驰（罗1:24-27）。神创造了性爱和婚姻，所以我们应该遵守神对此的法律。

如果以色列也如此行，她必会失去她的基业。 （弗5:5）。