Punishments for violating Ten Commandments

[DentalMac]

Hi,

I hope this is the correct forum for my question.

It seems that the Ten Punishments for violating the Ten Commandments are what I have listed below. The punishment for violating some of the commandments is death. How do Christians respond to these punishments?

I asked my Christian brother-in-law but he was completely unaware of these passages.

I'm not looking for a fight, just a Christian explanation.

Thanks.

1. Ex. 22:20: He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

2. Lev. 24:16: And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death.
*
3. Ex. 31:15: Whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
*
4. Ex. 21:15: He that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
*
5. Ex. 21:17: He that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
*
6. Ex. 22:19: Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
*
7. Lev. 20:13: If a man lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death.

8. Lev. 20:10: And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.
*
9. Mark 16:16: He that believeth not, shall be ******.
*
10. Mal. 2:1-4: And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, ... behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces.

 

[karla]

I take them to mean a spiritual death. Every time I go against the laws of God, I am moving farther away from Him and if I do not show remorse and confess those sins then I am experiencing a spiritual death and putting myself in jeopardy of losing an everlasting life with my Father.

 

[Theresa]

Hell is called the "second death."

 

[Serapha]

Hi,

I hope this is the correct forum for my question.

It seems that the Ten Punishments for violating the Ten Commandments are what I have listed below. The punishment for violating some of the commandments is death. How do Christians respond to these punishments?

I asked my Christian brother-in-law but he was completely unaware of these passages.

I'm not looking for a fight, just a Christian explanation.

Thanks.

1. Ex. 22:20: He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the Lord only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

2. Lev. 24:16: And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death.
*
3. Ex. 31:15: Whosoever doeth any work in the Sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
*
4. Ex. 21:15: He that smiteth his father, or his mother, shall be surely put to death.
*
5. Ex. 21:17: He that curseth his father or his mother, shall surely be put to death.
*
6. Ex. 22:19: Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
*
7. Lev. 20:13: If a man lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death.

8. Lev. 20:10: And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall be put to death.
*
9. Mark 16:16: He that believeth not, shall be ******.
*
10. Mal. 2:1-4: And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart to give glory to my name, ... behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces.

Hi There!


I am not looking each statement up for clarity, but I want to bring a couple of points to your mind....


The Old Testament rulings, while they seem harsh by present standards, were established to administer justice to Israel. People are quick to say....

"What kind of God kills?"

or

"What kind of God destroys?"


Well, The Holy Bible is "God's Little Instruction Book". Remember now... there were no prisons in the Old Testament era to lock up offenders and to rehabilitate them.


The laws, many times, were to purge the problems from society because there was no where else to put them. There were the cities of refuge in the Old Testaments, but they weren't "prisons" or rehabilitation centers like prisons are today, but places where the condemned could go and live.

Judaism had four means of being put to death... stoning, hanging (beheading), burning, and strangulation. There had to be two witnesses to the action, and one of the witnesses would be the administrator of the death penalty. The type of death was relative to the seriousness of the crime.


http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=887&letter=C


I hope this helps in your understanding.... that the world in biblical times doesn't really compare with modern times all the time.


~malaka~

 

[DentalMac]

Karla,

You said: I take them to mean a spiritual death. Every time I go against the laws of God, I am moving farther away from Him...

Reading the passages I cited, the punishment was/is most clearly physical death. Could you please direct me to a Biblical passage that explanations the punishments to be "spiritual death?"

 

[BarbB]

I believe that these are the punishments that God spoke to Moses and the Hebrews in the wilderness.

There were instances in Exodus where God struck sinners dead in that group lest they pollute the remainder of the group.

 

[DentalMac]

Malaka,

Thanks for the historical context.

You wrote:
The Old Testament rulings, while they seem harsh by present standards, were established to administer justice to Israel...

Well, The Holy Bible is "God's Little Instruction Book". Remember now... there were no prisons in the Old Testament era to lock up offenders and to rehabilitate them.

----

Since the Bible is "God's Little Instruction Book"--and God cites a multitide of ways humans should do things--then instead of commanding humans to kill non-Christians why didn't He command humans to build prisions or to banish offenders?

I would consider banishment for working on the Sabbith or for disobeying one's parents would be a punishment more befitting a loving god than death. Our comtemporary society would consider death cruel and unusual punishment for violating the commandments.

Also, with banishment the offender would still be alive and possibly
repent and accept God.

I don't mean to put words in you mouth--so correct me if I'm wrong-- but your explanation suggests that death is an acceptable punishment because prisions did not exist. So, does that mean the punishment of death became unacceptable when prisions were built? If so, then it has all sorts of implications. For instance, some contemporary nomadic societies do not have prisions. So, is death an acceptable punishment for a commandment violation?

 

[DentalMac]

Newlamb,

You wrote:

There were instances in Exodus where God struck sinners dead in that group lest they pollute the remainder of the group.

----

Surely contemporary sinners pollute their groups. So then why doesn't God strike them dead?

Are modern sinners different than their forebarers or is God different?

 

[Rafael]

The Bible instructs in the New Testment that the law was a harsh husband. Indeed, death seems extreme, yet we are all appointed to it by way of the curse of spiritual death we have inherited from our physical father, Adam. The New Testament has established a better covenant In Jesus Christ who dies and paid the penalties of death that those under the law experienced. This doesn't lessen the gravity and seriousness of sin, yet we and all benefit by the period of grace we all stand in under this new covenant of grace (unmerited favor) by God. Yes, death is tough to live under, but there is a freedom from it for those that accept by faith the gift of salvation through the shed blood of God's Son who paid the price for all sin.

 

[BarbB]

Newlamb,

You wrote:

There were instances in Exodus where God struck sinners dead in that group lest they pollute the remainder of the group.

----

Surely contemporary sinners pollute their groups. So then why doesn't God strike them dead?

Are modern sinners different than their forebarers or is God different?

Yes, I believe that contemporary sinners can pollute their groups. God doesn't need to strike them dead as He is refining his church for entry into heaven. The polluters are in some ways a trial and test for our faith (and patience ). Perhaps this can explain why the Christian would have morality legislated?

Sinners today are not different, but God is different as he has offered redemption through his Son, Jesus Christ. When we accept Him and are accepted by God through Him, God is separating the sheep from the goats. He doesn't need to toast the goats anymore.

 

[DentalMac]

New Lamb,

You wrote:
...God doesn't need to strike them dead as He is refining his church for entry into heaven. The polluters are in some ways a trial and test for our faith (and patience )...

-----

Why wasn't God refining his church for entry into heaven before? (I assume before Jesus) Couldn't those polluters have been a test in the past for the faithful?

You also wrote:

Sinners today are not different, but God is different as he has offered redemption through his Son, Jesus Christ. When we accept Him and are accepted by God through Him, God is separating the sheep from the goats. He doesn't need to toast the goats anymore.

------
Again, why is God now different? Why did he change?

Yet another question: Before Jesus, how did the faithful gain entry into heaven?

Thanks.

 

[Rafael]

New Lamb,

Again, why is God now different? Why did he change?

Yet another question: Before Jesus, how did the faithful gain entry into heaven?

Thanks.

God doesn't change, but we do - same as the rules for a child changes and a parent gives over more responsibility to the child as it matures. Mankind has grace to grow, for the time being.

His revelation to us may seem like He has changed, but it is only a mark of how hollow our understanding of anything is - yet, we are born with enough pride to credit ourselves withour waking. The Bible assures us that each breathe is a gift.

Second question - same as always - faith in Him and His provision.

 

[DentalMac]

Raphe,

You wrote:

The Bible instructs in the New Testment that the law was a harsh husband. Indeed, death seems extreme, yet we are all appointed to it by way of the curse of spiritual death we have inherited from our physical father, Adam. The New Testament has established a better covenant In Jesus Christ who dies and paid the penalties of death that those under the law experienced.

----
What do you mean by a "better covenant?" Taken literally, this means that OT punishments for violating the Ten Commandments are inferior. Since the punishments were dictated by God, that leads to complications concerning the perfection of God.

Also, the OT punishment was physical death, as the OT clearly states. Are you saying that, even before Jesus, death was spiritual as well as physical? If so, could you please cite a Biblical passage.

-----
You also wrote:

Yes, death is tough to live under, but there is a freedom from it for those that accept by faith the gift of salvation through the shed blood of God's Son who paid the price for all sin.

----

I'm a bit confused. It seems that you are saying for non-believers death is still an appropriate for violation of the TC.

 

[Serapha]

Malaka,

Thanks for the historical context.

You wrote:
The Old Testament rulings, while they seem harsh by present standards, were established to administer justice to Israel...

Well, The Holy Bible is "God's Little Instruction Book". Remember now... there were no prisons in the Old Testament era to lock up offenders and to rehabilitate them.

----

Since the Bible is "God's Little Instruction Book"--and God cites a multitide of ways humans should do things--then instead of commanding humans to kill non-Christians why didn't He command humans to build prisions or to banish offenders?

I would consider banishment for working on the Sabbith or for disobeying one's parents would be a punishment more befitting a loving god than death. Our comtemporary society would consider death cruel and unusual punishment for violating the commandments.

Also, with banishment the offender would still be alive and possibly
repent and accept God.

I don't mean to put words in you mouth--so correct me if I'm wrong-- but your explanation suggests that death is an acceptable punishment because prisions did not exist. So, does that mean the punishment of death became unacceptable when prisions were built? If so, then it has all sorts of implications. For instance, some contemporary nomadic societies do not have prisions. So, is death an acceptable punishment for a commandment violation?

Hi there!




You do understand that the nomadic history of Israel? That they transversed the land for centuries before they were established and localized within the walled cities????



When you are "nomading" around, where do you build the prisions? That was why God gave them the cities of refuge... If you didn't want to be killed, then either don't break the laws (which everyone understood), or you go to live in a city of refuge when you have committed a crime.


I hope that helps in your understanding.

~malaka~

 

[Rafael]

Raphe,

You wrote:

The Bible instructs in the New Testment that the law was a harsh husband. Indeed, death seems extreme, yet we are all appointed to it by way of the curse of spiritual death we have inherited from our physical father, Adam. The New Testament has established a better covenant In Jesus Christ who dies and paid the penalties of death that those under the law experienced.

----
What do you mean by a "better covenant?" Taken literally, this means that OT punishments for violating the Ten Commandments are inferior. Since the punishments were dictated by God, that leads to complications concerning the perfection of God.
The better covenant is Jesus and His payment for the death and penalties of sin - breaking those laws.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Also, the OT punishment was physical death, as the OT clearly states. Are you saying that, even before Jesus, death was spiritual as well as physical? If so, could you please cite a Biblical passage.
Physical death is nothing (temporary) compared to spiritual death which is for eternity. Death, New and Old testaments, would be the same, but circumstances and people are different. God has given us grace through His Son and has given the call to "whosoeverwill". He no longer dwells in a pillar of fire or column of clouds; nor does He give us manna to eat in the desert, but He does give us "the bread of life" and the Holy Spirit to dwell inside us as avocate.
-----
You also wrote:

Yes, death is tough to live under, but there is a freedom from it for those that accept by faith the gift of salvation through the shed blood of God's Son who paid the price for all sin.

----

I'm a bit confused. It seems that you are saying for non-believers death is still an appropriate for violation of the TC.
Whether we think death is appropriate or not as a penalty for sin only shows us our own heart towards God at that given time - whether we trust His Word or not. It's not wrong to ask and seek to understand, but to think Him as harsh or hard would be a mistake. He says He is love and that His justice is perfect. He can kill and make alive, and our judgment over such matters can at best be speculation since we have never had or will have such power as His. The man who was given talents from God and did nothing with them thought that his Master was a "hard man", and so his talents were taken away and he was punished. What comes out of our mouth - our confession and testimony - does seem to come to pass and have power.

 

[DentalMac]

Malaka,

You wrote:
You do understand that the nomadic history of Israel? That they transversed the land for centuries before they were established and localized within the walled cities????

When you are "nomading" around, where do you build the prisions? That was why God gave them the cities of refuge... If you didn't want to be killed, then either don't break the laws (which everyone understood), or you go to live in a city of refuge when you have committed a crime.

-----
I know a little about the nomadic history of Israel.

In your second paragraph, you seem to say that if a person violates a law then they have the option of death or banishment. Does this apply to the TC too? If so, then why is the only punishment cited for violation death? Why isn't banishment listed as an option?

 

[DentalMac]

Raphe,

Originally Posted By: DentalMac

Again, why is God now different? Why did he change?

You wrote:

God doesn't change, but we do - same as the rules for a child changes and a parent gives over more responsibility to the child as it matures. Mankind has grace to grow, for the time being.

----
In want way did mankind change to make God think it deserved a new covenant and no longer deserved to be executed for violation of the TC?

Also, I wrote to Malaka:

What do you mean by a "better covenant?" Taken literally, this means that OT punishments for violating the Ten Commandments are inferior. Since the punishments were dictated by God, that leads to complications concerning the perfection of God.

Malaka wrote:
The better covenant is Jesus and His payment for the death and penalties of sin - breaking those laws.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
-----

So, according to Malaka the punishment of death for violation of the TC is no longer applied because of a new and improved covenant thanks to Jesus dying for our sins.

Yet New Lamb says the punishment of death is no longer applied because mankind has matured.

Am I misinterpreting something here or is there a contradiction?

 

[BarbB]

...

Yet New Lamb says the punishment of death is no longer applied because mankind has matured.

Am I misinterpreting something here or is there a contradiction?

I did not say that. I am not a mature enough Christian to reply to the rest of your questions, so I have let Raphe and Malaka take over. They are far more competent. I am good at the basic questions, not the more advanced ones. Sorry!

 

[Serapha]

Also, I wrote to Malaka:

What do you mean by a "better covenant?" Taken literally, this means that OT punishments for violating the Ten Commandments are inferior. Since the punishments were dictated by God, that leads to complications concerning the perfection of God.

Malaka wrote:
The better covenant is Jesus and His payment for the death and penalties of sin - breaking those laws.

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
-----

So, according to Malaka the punishment of death for violation of the TC is no longer applied because of a new and improved covenant thanks to Jesus dying for our sins.

Yet New Lamb says the punishment of death is no longer applied because mankind has matured.

Am I misinterpreting something here or is there a contradiction?

You are misinterpreting and mis-quoting. Those aren't my words... and I will no longer be responding on this posting.

~malaka~

 

[Blindfaith]

Reminder:

This particular forum is not for debating. It is for believers and Staff to answer the questions of those who are either looking for answers or are curious as to what it means to be a Christian.

If anyone wants to debate, we have plenty of forums here for that; Interdenomination Dialogue, General Theology, General Apologetics, etc....

Again, this isn't a debatable forum (Questions about Christianity).