I have a question...

[maco]

This thought came to my mind today but I don't have much time today to study it out so I'm sharing it here.

Why did people have to be stoned to death if the sacrificial system was in place?

My quick thoughts are that maybe the sacrificial system was for those who were in covenant with God and everyone else had no way of paying for their sin.

Any thoughts?

 

[mmksparbud]

Couldn't even begin to understand that---except, just about any other way to enforce the death penalty, would have to be done by one person--with stoning, all are involved, no one individual has to feel they alone killed someone. It's a community decision, done by people who probably knew the individual, and would not come to that decision flippantly. Having witnessed and been a part of such a thing, I would think it would be a deterent to others doing anything that required such a punishment. At the moment, that all I can think of.

 

[maco]

Couldn't even begin to understand that---except, just about any other way to enforce the death penalty, would have to be done by one person--with stoning, all are involved, no one individual has to feel they alone killed someone. It's a community decision, done by people who probably knew the individual, and would not come to that decision flippantly. Having witnessed and been a part of such a thing, I would think it would be a deterent to others doing anything that required such a punishment. At the moment, that all I can think of.

Happy Sabbath!

I think you misunderstood my question. Why would someone have to be stoned if the sacrificial system was in place? In other words, why not just offer up a lamb for the sin rather than stoning the person?

 

[Castaway57]

Happy Sabbath!

I think you misunderstood my question. Why would someone have to be stoned if the sacrificial system was in place? In other words, why not just offer up a lamb for the sin rather than stoning the person?

Perhaps it is to show the Bible concept that there are personal consequences for disobeying God too? I can't look at God the way you seem to be suggesting in your comments here. Methinks you are asking baited questions and not really interested in cordial discussions here at the Adventist forums. Trying to see how far you can go without "breaking the rules" is pretty easy to spot. If you hate us so much why do you even bother with this forum?

 

[maco]

Perhaps it is to show the Bible concept that there are personal consequences for disobeying God too? I can't look at God the way you seem to be suggesting in your comments here. Methinks you are asking baited questions and not really interested in cordial discussions here at the Adventist forums. Trying to see how far you can go without "breaking the rules" is pretty easy to spot. If you hate us so much why do you even bother with this forum?

Really? Not everything appears as you see it.

 

[Castaway57]

Really? Not everything appears as you see it.

Thats not what I said.

 

[maco]

Thats not what I said.

Of course not. Refuter...

 

[Castaway57]

Methinks you are asking baited questions and not really interested in cordial discussions here at the Adventist forums. Trying to see how far you can go without "breaking the rules" is pretty easy to spot. If you hate us so much why do you even bother with this forum?

I rest my case. your responses prove the rest...

 

[mmksparbud]

Happy Sabbath!

I think you misunderstood my question. Why would someone have to be stoned if the sacrificial system was in place? In other words, why not just offer up a lamb for the sin rather than stoning the person?

So I did!---oops!--Ok--how about this--it doesn't say that they couldn't offer up a sacrifice and be forgiven--however, being forgiven doesn't mean you do not have to pay the consequences for what you did. After all, David fasted, prayed, was forgiven for having murdered, comitted adultry and so forth (I'm sure he also sacrificed)--his son still died. One can spend a lifetime drinking and drugging and worse, be forgiven, (even back at the time of the sacrificial system), but still die of cirrhosis of the liver. Moses was forgiven for striking the rock--still had to pay the price, not being able to enter into the Promised Land--but he did have a better land ahead to go to--but he didn't know it.
When we repent and come to God, (before or after the sacrificial system)-we can be forgiven for anything--but we still die, we still pay for what we've done. Kill someone, offer your sacrifice (if you can before being stoned)--be forgiven, be genuinely sorry, but your still going to be stoned. Today, we'd be forgiven, but you're still going to jail. (Unless you've got lots of money and a very wiley lawyer)

And--are you really just trying to wreck havoc, or are you really wondering??

 

[rainbowinthesky]

This is a very good question. It has been on the minds of countless people in all ages of the world, ever since that law came to be.

Why was the Sabbath breaker stoned to death?

Was this really God's way? If it was God's way, we could easily come to the conclusion that God was the executioner of the sentence against transgression.

However, in the book The Great Controversy, p.36 we read that "God does not stand toward the sinner as an executioner of the sentence against transgression, but He leaves the rejectors of His mercy to themselves to reap that which they have sown. The spirit of God, persistently resisted is at last withdrawn from the sinner and there is left no power to control the evil passions of the soul and no protection from the malice and enmity of Satan."

So what is the explanation for God giving the command to stone the Sabbath breaker then?

In those days, God was the Ruler of Israel in both the civil and religious affairs. They lived under a Theocracy. If God had had His way there would never have been any such law. The Gospel would have prevailed.

Here is what happened. After crossing the Red Sea the Israelites were tempted to pick up the weapons of the Egyptian soldiers that had washed up to shore the next day. They fell under that pressure and they carried the sword ever after. They had left Egypt unarmed. God delivered them in righteousness. They never had to fight against the Egyptians. But the next day they are fighting with the Amalekites armed with the swords of the Egyptian soldiers. The Lord could have abandoned them that day for choosing the sword but He did not. He could have abandoned them when they chose a man to be their king but He did not. (1 Sam.8:6,7) He gave them the desire of their hearts and in turn He gave them instructions as to how to carry that sword and even how to make a clean kill to minimize the evil consequences of their choice. And the Lord waited for them to see the errors of their way until they would return to His way but they never did.

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said to Peter, "Put away your sword. He who lives by the sword will perish by the sword." In A.D.70 they perished by the sword!

Since they had chosen the sword, and God respected their choice, God's instructions against the transgressor and against their enemies were not according to His way but according to the way they had chosen.

The life and teachings of Jesus prove this beyond any shadow of doubt.

sky