What does "not allow a sorceress to live" reveal about God's holiness? Setting the Verse in Context Exodus 22:18 declares, “Do not allow a sorceress to live.” Israel stands at Sinai, freshly delivered from Egypt’s occult-steeped culture. The Lord is establishing a covenant society where every practice must reflect His character. God’s Holiness in Focus • Holiness means “set apart,” utterly pure, morally perfect (Leviticus 11:44–45). • God’s nature cannot be mixed with anything dark, deceptive, or idolatrous (1 John 1:5). • The command shows that God’s holiness is not abstract; it shapes concrete community standards. Why Sorcery Is So Serious • Sorcery—whether spells, divination, or spirit‐consulting—seeks power apart from the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). • It taps into demonic forces (1 Corinthians 10:20). • It is spiritual adultery, rivaling God’s exclusive claim on His people (Exodus 20:3). • It undermines trust in God’s sovereign rule and attempts to manipulate destiny. The Death Penalty and the Weight of Sin • In Israel’s theocratic setting, capital punishment guarded the nation’s spiritual health (Deuteronomy 13:5). • The severity underscores that sin against God’s holiness is never trivial. • By removing the sorceress, God protected the whole community from contagion (1 Corinthians 5:6 principle). God’s Protective Love Behind the Command • Holiness and love unite: God shields His people from practices that enslave (Galatians 5:19-21). • The ban on sorcery preserves freedom, clarity, and fellowship with Him. • His judgments warn, yet they also invite everyone to choose life (Ezekiel 18:23). Tracing the Theme into the New Testament • Sorcery remains condemned (Acts 8:9-24; 19:19; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). • Under the new covenant, church discipline replaces civil execution, yet the spiritual urgency stays. • Christ’s atoning death offers forgiveness even to former sorcerers (1 Corinthians 6:11). Practical Takeaways for Today • Reject every occult avenue—horoscopes, tarot, spiritism, “harmless” spells. • Anchor discernment in Scripture, not experience (Isaiah 8:19-20). • Pursue holiness by daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). • Celebrate that God’s uncompromising purity is matched by His gracious deliverance through Jesus. |
    |