Exodus 21: “Anyone who curses his father or mother must surely be put to death.”
Yesterday we concentrated on God’s punishments for murder, including the murder or attempted murder of parents. But why does God also demand the death penalty for anyone who curses his father or his mother?
We live and work in West Africa, where curses are taken very seriously. Several years ago, one prominent politician was accused of giving another politician a “dirty slap,” that is, a slap that would transfer a curse of death to that individual. Later the man who received the dirty slap died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident. In another incident, members of a large denomination who were fed up with the head of the denomination tried to hire a fetish priest to curse their denominational head so that he would have a stroke and die. On market days in our area, it is quite common to see a calabash gourd at a crossroads containing elements placed there in hopes of cursing passers – by.
Curses exist throughout the world. It is a well – known fact that parents who continually browbeat their children, telling them they are stupid, lazy, or unable to accomplish anything positive, are speaking self – fulfilling prophecies over their children. Thanks to the grace of God, many people have come out of these situations and have still achieved a great deal; yet, the memories of those words continue to echo painfully in their hearts.
The Enduring Word Commentary explains this statute this way: The idea was of an adult child who threatened their parent. Though this law was severe, it preserved a critical foundation for civilized society: respect between generations.
i. The idea of the curse here is more like what we would think of as a death threat. “Since to curse was to will and pray the downfall of the other with all one’s heart, it represented the attitude from which sprang acts like striking or murder.” (Cole)
ii. The Law of Moses also had a built-in protection for the rights of the child, according to Deuteronomy 21:18-21. This passage states that the parent did not have the right to carry out this punishment, but they were required to bring the accused child before the elders and judges of the city. This meant that the parent – against all contemporary custom – did not have the absolute power of life and death over their children. As a practical matter, the judges of Israel rarely if ever administered the death penalty in such cases, yet the child was held accountable.
iii. Yet the law discouraging conflict between generations is important. Each elder generation, as they grow older, is at the mercy of the younger generation. If the younger generation is allowed to carry on open warfare with the older generation, the very foundations of society are shaken – as reflected in the Fourth Commandment. Some modern laws – including developing laws regarding euthanasia – may lead to the easy murder of the older generation by the younger.”
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Exodus Chapter 21 https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/exodus-21/ 13/20
APPLICATION: The shedding of innocent blood brings curses on a land! Just as the shedding of the blood of innocent children offered to Molech brought curses on ancient Israel and Judah, so the murder of infants also will bring those curses. But what of the elderly? Elder abuses that lead to death also constitute the shedding of innocent blood.
Isaiah 46:4 (The Voice Translation) says: And when you are old, I will still be there, carrying you. When your limbs grow tired, your eyes are weak, And your hair a silvery gray, I will carry you as I always have. I will carry you and save you.” The righteousness of a society is judged on the basis of how it treats its most vulnerable members. Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived; God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.” My mother was fond of saying, “Be careful when your chickens come home to roost; they might turn out to be turkey buzzards!”
PRAYER: Father God, help all those who read this devotional to realize that one day they will be elderly and vulnerable. Help each of us to defend those whose lives are in danger, simply because they are an inconvenience to someone. Thank you for loving us and caring for us so much that Jesus willingly gave up HIS innocent blood on the cross for all of us! In the mighty Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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