6-23-2017 Deuteronomy 1:1 "These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab." Unto all Israel, get it? Moses never spake any such thing unto me.

The Mosaic law established the death penalty in the nation of Israel for a number of crimes.

It was a rule for Israel which, at the time, was God's Holy Land. It was meant to prevent the profaning of God (i.e. by profaning his holy land with worship to other deities). *** Was it a harsh rule? Extremely. *** Was it unusually harsh, historically speaking? Not at all. Many Christian nations were similarly intolerant of other religions - in fact, even of other denominations of Christianity, in much more recent history. During one period of Japan (again: much more recent than the time of Moses), two Buddhist "mega-denominations" fought each other - literally (read: warred, with armies of monks and mercenaries, for several years) - for the goal of being the sole Buddhist "denomination" in the country. And there are umpteen other examples from umpteen other religious groups, both before and after the time of Moses and "the Judges" of Israel.

One of many Mosaic laws of the old covenant. Times and people were rough back then. Thankfully, we are living under grace in our era.

1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.