Leviticus 20:2
French (La Bible expliquée)
de communiquer aux Israélites les prescriptions suivantes: Deux appels à être saint, adressés à Israël (v. 7-8, 22-26), forment la base de cette série d'instructions divines. La sainteté du peuple doit manifester celle de son Seigneur. Par sa fidélité, Israël se sépare des autres nations, dont les pratiques abominables ont provoqué l'expulsion du pays. Le Seigneur réprouve notamment le culte rendu à Molek (18.21), qui obligeait les parents à déposer leur premier-né dans les bras chauffés à blanc d'une statue. La mort du nourrisson devait garantir la survie des autres enfants à naître. L'alliance avec le Seigneur impose un choix radical: on fait confiance à Dieu pour sa descendance, ou bien on est retranché de son peuple. Les v. 10-21 reprennent les instructions relatives aux pratiques sexuelles de 18.6-23. Les douze transgressions décrites appellent des punitions exemplaires. Parce que la puissance de la vie est donnée par le Seigneur, la sexualité exige une orientation et des contrôles. Dans sept cas d'activité sexuelle, les deux partenaires doivent être mis à mort (v. 10-16). Dans deux cas, le couple est exclu de la communauté (v. 17-18). Pour trois cas, l'homme et la femme « porteront ensemble la responsabilité de leur péché », ce qui signifie qu'ils « mourront sans enfants » (v. 19-21). « Si un Israélite ou un étranger vivant en Israël offre un de ses enfants en sacrifice au dieu Molek, il doit être mis à mort. Les habitants du pays le tueront en lui jetant des pierres,
What Does This Mean?
This verse says that anyone from Israel or living among them who offers their children to a god named Molech must be put to death by being stoned. God is speaking through Moses to the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of not following pagan practices.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your parents told you that if you ever did something very wrong, like playing with matches, you would get a big time-out. In this case, God is saying that doing something very wrong, like offering children to a false god, means a very serious punishment. This teaches the people to follow God's rules and not worship false gods.
Historical Background
This verse is part of the Book of Leviticus, written by Moses around 1446-1406 BC. It was addressed to the Israelites, a nomadic people who had just been freed from slavery in Egypt. The cultural setting was one where various pagan practices, including child sacrifice, were common among neighboring peoples, and God wanted to protect His people from these practices.
Living It Out Today
In modern times, this verse can remind us of the importance of not compromising our faith or values for the sake of fitting in with others. For example, if a friend pressures you to do something that goes against your beliefs, standing firm in your faith, like not offering your children to Molech, is crucial.
Topics
worshipidolatryjudgmentpunishmentfaithfulnessprotection
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Molech and why is it mentioned here?
Molech was a pagan god that some people in ancient times worshiped. Worshipping Molech often involved sacrificing children, which was a very serious offense against God.
Who is supposed to stone the person?
The people of the land were commanded to stone the individual, showing that the whole community was responsible for upholding God's laws.
What does this verse teach about God's view on idolatry?
This verse shows that God views idolatry, especially when it involves the sacrifice of children, as a very serious offense, deserving of the most severe punishment.
How does this relate to today's world?
While the specific punishment is not applicable today, the principle of rejecting practices that go against God's values remains important. This teaches us to uphold our faith and not follow harmful trends or beliefs.