Big Idea: God, whose presence is in the midst of his covenant people, must be respected.

Understanding the Text

Leviticus 24 divides into two sections: Israel’s requirement to supply oil and bread to the tabernacle in its daily worship (vv. 1–9) and the execution of a blasphemer (vv. 10–23). Verses 1–9 move from the obligations for Israelites to worship on holy days (Lev. 23) to obligations to maintain worship on a daily basis. The connection of the second section to the context is less clear.

The case of the blasphemer fits into the Pentateuch’s pattern of intertwining laws and narratives. It is reminiscent of the narrative of Aaron’s sons in Leviticus 10, in which “blasphemous” actions lead to death. It is also similar to the case of the Sabbath breaker (Num. 15:32–36). There, as here…