Leviticus 19:14

"You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block
before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD."

By Don Haney
 

Like all of God’s Statutes and laws, this one is given to us in love and is for our good. (Deut.6:24) Lev.19:14 has to do with the respectful treatment of the deaf, blind or those with other limitations - but it is also saying SO MUCH MORE. It also has to do with the FAIRNESS of not attacking people behind their backs or in a way that they cannot defend themselves or give an answer. We have the expression of being “blind-sighted” that refers to this very thing.

David made reference to this Statute when he felt others were unfairly laying deceitful traps behind his back in order to ruin his reputation. They did it in such a way that he, like a deaf man, could not reply.

Ps 38:12 Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception.

13 I am like a deaf man, who cannot hear, like a mute, who cannot open his mouth;

14 I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. (NIV)

If you curse the deaf they cannot hear to respond. How is that different than gossiping or making defamatory remarks about people behind their backs - when they do not have the ability to respond? David here shows us the spirit and application of this Statute.

Likewise, to put a stumbling block before the blind is to cause the weak to stumble. It is to cause harm to those - who once again - CANNOT DEFEND OR PROTECT THEMSELVES.

How can we break the SPIRIT or PRINCIPLE of this Statute?

In Romans 14, Paul uses the statute of not putting a stumbling block before the weak, in regards to eating and drinking before those who are weak. If we eat meat before someone who would be offended thereby, or pull out the wine in the presence of a recovering alcoholic – are we not breaking the spirit of this statute? Paul’s exhortation in Romans 14 indicates that we would be!

Have you ever taken advantage of others weakness or blindness in certain matters?

Have you ever sold something to someone and not revealed to them that it was inherently flawed, knowing that they may not discover the flaws until it is too late?

Have you ever sold a car with mechanical flaws to someone without mechanical knowledge, knowing they would not discover the problems until the sale was final? That is taking advantage of a blindness or weakness and causing your neighbor to stumble.

Have you ever withheld information from someone (even though you knew they needed it), perhaps for your own personal benefit? (Lev.5:1) If by doing so we cause them harm, we may be guilty of breaking this statute of love.

1 Cor. 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumbling-block to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend (stumble), I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. (KJV)

Here again, we can put a stumbling-block before the blind or weak by taking our liberty in front of another’s weakness - by our selfishness; or unknowingly by FOCUSING SO MUCH ON SELF THAT WE DON'T NOTICE HOW WE ARE HURTING OTHERS!!!

Are God's Statutes at all abolished? The New Testament is filled with them!

Are God's Statutes harsh or hard? They are the way to show Love to God and our neighbor!

Jesus said he did not come to change or abrogate even the least part of any of God’s laws. Rather than doing away with them, Jesus expounded the spirit and intent of both God’s Statutes and 10 commandments. See it in Matthew 5:17-32. As we’ve seen, the apostles also magnified the spirit of God’s Statutes and showed us how to apply them in the New Testament era. They are for all time, for they are love in action. When God pours out His Holy Spirit upon mankind in the glorious coming Kingdom of God on earth, it will change the heart of man and cause him to walk in God’s Statutes. (Ezek.36:25-27) Has God already poured out His Holy Spirit upon you? God commands us to study His Statutes and to teach them to our children and grandchildren for our good always. (Deut.6:5-9, 24) Let’s do it!