Leviticus 20:1-27 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Sin unto death.

The offenses described in this chapter were mentioned before. Such is our obtuseness that we need "line upon line." Adorable is that goodness of God which takes such pains with us. We have here—

I. PRESUMPTUOUS SINS AND THEIR PENALTY .

1 . Parents giving their seed to Moloch.

2 . Persons having dealings with necromancy.

3 . Children who curse their parents.

4 . Excesses in uncleanness.

II. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WITNESSES .

1 . To withhold testimony against sin is to incur its guilt.

2 . The testimony against sin is a sanctification to the witness ( Leviticus 20:7 , Leviticus 20:8 ).

(1) The faithful witness thereby sanctifies himself.

(a) He clears himself of all complicity.

(b) He approves himself to God as zealous for his truth, purity, and honour.

(c) He fulfils the part of a true patriot; for nations are exalted by righteousness and ruined by crime.

Public duty may cost us inconvenience, but it must not be neglected.

(a) He will bring them to dwell in the land ( Leviticus 20:22 ). This possession was the earnest of the better Canaan. It was a "land flowing with milk and honey."

(b) He will watch over them as a proprietor over precious treasure. "They shall be mine" ( Leviticus 20:26 ; Exodus 19:5 , Exodus 19:6 ; Deuteronomy 7:6 ; Psalms 135:4 ). "Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord."—J.A.M.