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Leviticus 20 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
In Chapter 18, we read that the laws of the OT are still applicable in the NT and beyond. Here in Chapter 20, we get a glimpse of the punishment for those who disobey such laws – death. The NT is not as straightforward in its unpacking of the death penalty. Jesus Himself did not condemn the woman caught in adultery as the law required. He pardoned her and told her to sin no more.
John Calvin argued that the reason Christ did not adhere consistently to the judgment of the OT laws was because He came to save by grace and not to change humanity through punishment. It could have been possible that Jesus fully supported those in authority positions who were responsible for such actions. We definitely find through Leviticus 20 that God does not hold back His thoughts in regard to such sins.
We are living in an era of exile. The views we express as Biblical are not the majority. They are not even close. So, we submit to authority structures knowing that God’s standard is much higher and that one day we will be reconciled with Him by our faith in Jesus Christ.