Matthew Henry Commentary Leviticus 20:1-9

"And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying, Moreover, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever he be of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones. I also will set my face against that man, and will cut him off from among his people; because he hath given of his seed unto Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane my holy name. And if the people at the land do at all hide their eyes from that man, when he giveth of his seed unto Molech, and put him not to death; then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that play the harlot after him, to play the harlot with Molech, from among their people. And the soul that turneth unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto the wizards, to play the harlot after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy; for I am Jehovah your God. And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am Jehovah who sanctifieth you. For every one that curseth his father or his mother shall surely be put to death: he hath cursed his father or his mother; his blood shall be upon him." — Leviticus 20:1-9 (ASV)

Are we shocked at the unnatural cruelty of the ancient idolaters in sacrificing their children? We may justly be so. But are there not very many parents who, by bad teaching and wicked examples, and by the mysteries of iniquity which they show their children, devote them to the service of Satan and promote their everlasting ruin in a manner even more to be lamented? What an account must such parents render to God, and what a meeting will they have with their children at the day of judgment!

On the other hand, let children remember that he who cursed father or mother was surely put to death. This law Christ confirmed. Laws which were made before are repeated, and penalties attached to them. If people will not avoid evil practices because the law has made these practices sin, and it is right that we act on that principle, surely they should avoid them when the law has made them punishable by death, from a principle of self-preservation.

In the midst of these laws comes a general charge: Sanctify yourselves, and be ye holy. It is the Lord who sanctifies, and his work will be done, though it may be difficult. Yet his grace is so far from doing away with our efforts that it strongly encourages them: Work out your salvation, for it is God that works in you.