Originally posted by: glenn beck
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All of this indicates that the "son" in question is no mere child but, rather, a young man at least in his middle teens or older. As Wright observes, "The law is not talking about naughty children but about seriously delinquent young adults."3
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The text says that the son is "stubborn" and "rebellious" (vv. 18, 20). Both of these descriptive terms are active participles thus indicating habitual action. The son does not display a stubborn streak now and then, or act rebelliously from time to time, but is continuously stubborn and rebellious.
<snip: stubborn is bad>
The word "rebellious" means, literally, to strike or lash, and is used of those who contend against authority and refuse to heed their words. The "rebellious" individual lashes out in contempt against those who have authority over them verbally, and perhaps even physically.
In light of this, it is important to note that the Law of the Covenant prescribes death for anyone who
strikes his parents (Ex. 21:15)
or curses his parents (Ex. 21:17).
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The purpose to be served in the execution of the rebellious son is to "put evil away from among you" and that all will "hear and fear" (v.21).
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The case law in discussion does not apply to young children during the formative years, but applies, instead, to a grown son (and by extension to a daughter as well) who, for whatever reason, has rebelled against the authority of his parents and will not profit from any of their discipline nor obey their voice in any thing. It is a case of habitual contempt of parental authority characterized by a young adult living a life without moral restraint who lashes out verbally and/or physically against his mother and father. It is a case where the evil character of the son is apparently set, and there is no reasonable hope of him ever changing.
The kind of rebellion against parental authority described in this case law is called "evil" (v. 21).
It is evil because it holds both God and His law (i.e., the command to honor parents) in derision.
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God considers it such a dangerous evil that it must be extinguished by death at the hands of the civil magistrate.
