Can we believe that the real God, if there is one, ever…
““Can we believe that the real God, if there is one, ever ordered a man to be killed simply for making hair oil, or ointment? We are told in the thirtieth chapter of Exodus, that the Lord commanded Moses to take myrrh, cinnamon, sweet calamus, cassia, and olive oil, and make a holy ointment for the purpose of anointing the tabernacle, tables, candlesticks and other utensils, as well as Aaron and his sons; saying, at the same time, that whosoever compounded any like it, or whoever put any of it on a stranger, should be put to death. In the same chapter, the Lord furnishes Moses with a recipe for making a perfume, saying, that whoever should make any which smelled like it, should be cut off from his people. This, to me, sounds so unreasonable that I cannot believe it. Why should an infinite God care whether mankind made ointments and perfumes like his or not? Why should the Creator of all things threaten to kill a priest who approached his altar without having washed his hands and feet? These commandments and these penalties would disgrace the vainest tyrant that ever sat, by chance, upon a throne.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote challenges the idea that a deity would punish minor, everyday actions like making ointments, suggesting such laws are unreasonable and tyrannical.
In simple terms: Questioning divine justice over trivial matters
Key Takeaway
Consider the fairness of ancient religious laws
Themes
religion
justice
authority
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
philosophical
questioning
When to use this quote
- historical religious law
- modern moral debate
- personal belief
- legal reform
Key Concepts
theology
law
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What purpose did such strict rules serve historically?
- How should modern societies interpret ancient religious mandates?
A Different Perspective
Ancient religious penalties may reflect cultural contexts not applicable today