The Death Penalty

I found that in the Old Testament, the following nineteen acts were to be punished by death:-

Deliberate homicide (Gen 9:6, Exod 21:12-14, Lev 24:17). One witness was insufficient (Num 35:30).

Attacking or cursing a parent (Exod 21:15, 17, Lev 20:9), or refusing to obey a parent when being disciplined for being profligate and a drunkard (Deut 21:18-21).

Kidnap (Exod 21:16).

Being a sorceress or medium or spiritist (Exod 22:18, Lev 20:27).

Having sex with an animal (Exod 22:19, Lev 20:15-16).

Sacrificing to any god other than the Lord (Exod 22:20).

Working on the Sabbath day (Exod 31:14-15, 35:2).

Giving children to Molech by passing them through the fire (Lev 20:2).

Adulterer and adulteress (Lev 20:10-12).

Sleeping with your father's wife or daughter-in-law (Lev 20:11-12).

A man sleeping with a man (Lev 20:13).

A man marrying both a woman and her mother (Lev 20:14).

Cursing the Lord and blaspheming his name (Lev 24:16).

Non-Levites disassembling the tabernacle (Num 1:51).

Non-High Priests approaching the sanctuary (Num 3:38, 18:7).

A prophet instructing people to follow another God, and a town that accepts his message (Deut 13:1-18, 17:2-7); also a prophet who presumes to speak in God's name anything God has not commanded him to say (Deut 18:20).

A man showing contempt for a judge or a priest ministering to the Lord (Deut 17:12).

Female promiscuity before marriage (Deut 22:21).

-oOo-

Some thoughts arising

The New Testament explains how guilt can be dealt with. See Acts 13:38 -39! We have all sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Rom 3:23), but if we confess our sins, God forgives us and the blood of Jesus purifies us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:7 & 9). God will give his Holy Spirit to evil people like us who ask him (Luke 11:13), and the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal 5:22-23). Great news.

David Pennant, Woking, UK