Inquiry:
How should Sabbath-breakers be punished? Should they be exiled (Exodus 31:14), or killed (Exodus 31:14; 31:15; 35:2; Numbers 15:32-36)? Is there a contradiction?
Response:
As was discussed last week, the command to keep the Sabbath was given to those under Moses’ law. None are subject to Moses’ Law today (Ephesians 2:14-16; Colossians 2:13-17; Hebrews 8:13).
The questioner lists 4 texts which clearly say that those who did not keep the Sabbath were to be put to death. Just one verse is given for the exile thought, but it speaks nothing about exile. In fact, the same verse appears in the “killed” list!
Notice what Exodus 31:14 says,
You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.
Seems clear – “everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death.” Did the phrase “cut off” confuse the questioner. Instead of assuming it is different than “put to death,” why not investigate? (Genesis 9:11; Exodus 9:15; 1 Kings 21:21, etc). The phrase means to put to death.
There is no contradiction.
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