Leviticus 20:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing in Israel who sacrifices any of his children to Molek is to be put to death. The members of the community are to stone him.
Reminder to self: These laws were handed down because the Israelites had just survived 400 years in Egyptian captivity. Entire generations were exposed to Egyptian beliefs. God is reestablishing what He wants for the Israelites, reminding them of His will.
Leviticus 20:3 I myself will set my face against him and will cut him off from his people; for by sacrificing his children to Molek, he has defiled my sanctuary and profaned my holy name.
This chapter details the punishments for those sins, sins that the Egyptians routinely practiced (as I understand it). Sins that God did not want His people to partake of. These chapters are very time and place specific, handed down for a very specific reason.
Leviticus 20:4 If the members of the community close their eyes when that man sacrifices one of his children to Molek and if they fail to put him to death,
Precious Savior, My caveats are not because I think You want us lawless and full of sin. My caveats are because so many of Your people use Your word to exclude, punish, and exile. I don’t think that is what You call us to do. I think You are calling us to love others–radically, completely, fiercely, eternally–just as You love us. Help me, Jesus. Amen.
Leviticus 20:5 I myself will set my face against him and his family and will cut them off from their people together with all who follow him in prostituting themselves to Molek.
Have a blessed day.