Can I sell my daughter, stone my neighbours and other curly questions!

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

I personally don't see anything wrong with owning Canadians but the way the US economy is going, I feel that what you should be more concerned about is them soon owning you.

2. I have a very rebellious daughter. If she doesn’t come around, can I really sell her into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age what do you think would be a fair price for her?

Mmmm, tricky. The price can be hard to set. Normally depends a lot on looks. Does she look like you?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness - Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

Yeah, maybe just stay away from all women who aren't your wife.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They will not claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

Hmmm, now let me see... If they will not claim the odor is not pleasing to them, then what you’re dealing with here is a tricky double negative. So this may well in fact be a positive... it could be good for you. But tread carefully as one false assumption and it could turn really negative. Mmmm... Unfortunately grammar was never my strong suit. Would you be able to restate the question as a mathematical equation? Argh, so little time... Ok, just smite them.

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

I would go with the police. Here is what you should do... Ring them up and tell them your neighbour is about to get stoned. Also mention that you will be participating. I'm sure they will be round quite quickly.

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this? Are there 'degrees' of abomination?

It’s true that eating a large portion of shellfish can be really bad... My own brother can speak from experience that it can turn particularly nasty later on that night. But as bad as that experience can be, I'd still go with your friend on this one.

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle- room here?

Yeah, 20/20 used to be a common pass rate in the old days. But take heart... If God follows current trends and has changed his standards to match the nations educational standards then 6/20 will be a pass. It might even get you an award! But I suspect with God the pass rate of perfection still applies. So I suggest you approach the altar of God through Jesus. He is perfection and is willing to grant that perfect standing to you.

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

Hair trimming should not result in death. A short, quick fire round of pelting with fruit and small veges should suffice. But if any of your friends have a mullet I would move up to potatoes. They will be getting what they deserve.

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

Gloves are good. I find that wearing baseball gloves on both hands, and one on my head (just in case), helps me catch a football better. Sure, some may laugh and mock, but I haven't dropped a ball yet. Why not try that and let me know how it goes?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend) He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. ..... Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws?

If it was just cotton or wool I would just give her a stern talking to first up. But polyester? Are you kidding me? Who wears polyester these days? If she can't keep up with latest fashion trends then you are justified calling the whole town in.

---------------------

Last thoughts:

Ok... In all seriousness, when you die you will stand before God as your judge. And guess what? He is not going to ask you whether you understood Leviticus or grasped why He gave different laws to the Levitical Priesthood or the Israelite nation. He will ask you however, did you repent and believe in and follow His Son Jesus Christ who died for your sins? If the answer is no, if you don't believe that Jesus paid for your sins upon the cross, then the penalty for your sins will have to be paid by you. And believe me, that is not something you want to do. As the Bible says:

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Joh 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Joh 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
Joh 3:19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Joh 1:12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God

I understand that you don't care for these things now... neither did I once. But I do pray that you one day will come to cherish what Jesus did for you and will repent of your sin and make your peace with God before you die.

May God Bless you.