Leviticus 20:6

_AND THE SOUL THAT TURNETH AFTER SUCH AS HAVE FAMILIAR SPIRITS, AND AFTER WIZARDS, TO GO A WHORING AFTER THEM, I WILL EVEN SET MY FACE AGAINST THAT SOUL, AND WILL CUT HIM OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE._ The soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits ... I will cut him off from among his people - (cf. Leviticus 20:27.) Witchcraft, being connected with idolatry, was ranked among the crimes which involved treason against Israel's king, and hence, the severity of the punishment denounced against it (see the notes on Divination, etc., Selden, 'De Diis Syris Syntagna,' cap. 1:, 20)...

1-9 Are we shocked at the unnatural cruelty of the ancient idolaters in sacrificing their children? We may justly be so. But are there not very many parents, who, by bad teaching and wicked examples, and by the mysteries of iniquity which they show their children, devote them to the service of Satan, and forward their everlasting ruin, in a manner even more to be lamented? What an account must such parents render to God, and what a meeting will they have with their children at the day of judgment! On the other hand, let children remember that he who cursed father or mother was surely put to death. This law Christ confirmed. Laws which were made before are repeated, and penalties annexed to them. If men will not avoid evil practices, because the law has made these practices sin, and it is right that we go on that principle, surely they should avoid them when the law has made them death,...

Verse Leviticus 20:6. _FAMILIAR SPIRITS_] Leviticus 19:31; and _"_Exodus 22:18_"_....

EXPOSITION The subject of Leviticus 18:1, is resumed in this chapter; but that which was before considered as sin only is now regarded as crime, and penalties are attached according to the heinousness of the offense. For example, the sin of "giving of his seed to Molech," or which is the same thing, "letting any of his seed pass through the fire to Molech," had been forbidden as a sin in Leviticus 18:21; now it is condemned as a crime. The various penalties assigned in this chapter are (1) _burning with fire _(Leviticus 18:14); (2) _stoning with stones _...

THE SOUL THAT TURNETH AFTER SUCH AS HAVE FAMILIAR SPIRITS,.... The man or woman that has respect unto them, seeks after them, and inquires of them, in order to get knowledge of things: AND AFTER WIZARDS who pretend to tell fortunes, and discover lost and stolen goods, Leviticus 19:31; TO GO A WHORING AFTER THEM; for to consult them is to forsake the Lord, and have recourse to Satan and his instruments; to relinquish their trust in God, and put confidence in them, and attribute such things to them as only belong to God, even the knowledge of things future; and this is to commit idolatry, which is spiritual adultery: I WILL EVEN SET MY FACE AGAINST THAT SOUL; show like resentment and indignation as at him that gives his seed to Molech: AND WILL CUT HIM OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE; in case his people do not bear

3. WARNINGS AGAINST SPECIAL SINS AND THEIR PENALTIES CHAPTER 20 _ 1. Warning against Molech--worship and familiar spirits (Leviticus 20:1)_ 2. Warning against cursing parents (Leviticus 20:9) 3. Criminal and vile connections (Leviticus 20:10) 4. Exhortations to obedience and separation (Leviticus 20:22) This chapter reveals the justice of God in dealing with criminals. The death penalty is most prominent. It is pronounced upon the following crimes: Molech worship; dealing with familiar spirits (spiritualism); different forms of incest and sodomy. Men advocate now the abolis

WORSHIP OF MOLECH, ETC. Offering children to Molech (see Leviticus 18:21 *) is to be punished by stoning; such a death emphasizes the repudiation by the whole community and involves everyone in the act, always serious, of killing a fellow-tribesman (_cf._ Joshua 7:25). Yahweh Himself will see that the sinner does not survive his crime even if he is not publicly punished; his whole family will be destroyed. Cursing parents is also a capital crime; in such a case, the dead man's blood does not cry from the earth; it is on his own head, _i.e._ its power to hurt comes to an end with his life (_cf._ 1 Kings 2:31; 1 Kings 2:44,

SOUL. Hebrew. _nephesh._ App-13. FAMILIAR SPIRITS. See note on Leviticus 19:31. WIZARDS. See note on Leviticus 19:31....

_familiar spirits … wizards_ See on Leviticus 19:31....

CONSORTING WITH WIZARDS AND NECROMANCERS 20:6-8 TEXT 20:6-8 6 And the soul that turneth unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto the wizards, to play the harlot after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. 7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am Jehovah your God. 8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you. THOUGHT QUESTIONS 20:6-8 455. What is it in man that turns him to familiar spirits and wizards? 456. Are we to understand sex or immoral conduct was a part of the practice of these persons? 457. Just what is involved in the act of sanctifying ourselves? 458. We should be holy for God is holy. What is the motivation? 459. God has a part in sanctifying us. What is it? PARAPHRASE 20:6-8 I will set my face against anyone who consults med