What connections exist between Leviticus 20:4 and Matthew 18:15-17 on confronting sin? Leviticus 20:4—Community Obligation to Address Evil “ ‘If the people of the land ever close their eyes to that man when he gives one of his children to Molech and fail to put him to death,’ ” • God charges “the people of the land” with responsibility; silence makes them complicit. • The sin is public and lethal; ignoring it invites God’s judgment (vv. 5-6). • Justice requires action, even when confrontation is uncomfortable (cf. Deuteronomy 19:16-19). • Failure to act offends God before it harms society; holiness begins with obedience (Leviticus 19:2). Matthew 18:15-17—Jesus’ Pattern for Restoring a Sinning Brother “ ‘If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately…’ ” (BSB, abridged) • Step 1 – Private conversation: aim for repentance and reconciliation. • Step 2 – Two or three witnesses: protect truth, fulfill Deuteronomy 19:15. • Step 3 – Tell it to the church: involve the covenant community. • Final step – Separation: treat the unrepentant as “a pagan or a tax collector,” keeping the body pure (1 Corinthians 5:6-13). Shared Threads Between the Passages • Corporate Responsibility – Leviticus: whole nation must act. – Matthew: entire church eventually becomes involved. • Refusal to Confront Equals Participation – “Close their eyes” (Leviticus 20:4) mirrors ignoring sin in the church (James 4:17). • Witnesses Safeguard Justice – Old-Covenant death penalty required witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6). – New-Covenant discipline requires “two or three” (Matthew 18:16). • Gradation of Consequences – Leviticus: capital punishment after due process. – Matthew: escalating steps ending in exclusion, not execution, yet still serious. How Revelation Progresses Yet Principles Remain • Same holy God: sin endangers covenant life (Hebrews 10:26-31). • Different covenant administrations: civil penalty under Moses; spiritual discipline under Christ. • Goal unchanged: protect community and call sinners to repentance (Ezekiel 33:7-9; Galatians 6:1). Practical Takeaways • Confrontation is loving, not optional; ignoring sin harms everyone. • Begin privately, keep matters as small as repentance allows. • Involve others only when necessary, always aiming at restoration. • Churches must uphold discipline to honor God’s holiness and display the gospel’s power. |
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