You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the LORD your God.
(Lev 18:3-4)
This statement sums up the essence of Leviticus, and the reason for the rules. They weren't just any nation, and they were not to just live like any nation. They were God's nation, and were meant to live as a witness to the nations around them - not copy the immorality and injustices seen in other nations.
The rules herein contained are a mix of sexual morality, care for the poor, truth, spiritual separation and loyalty, and due respect.
Evidently, the phrase 'uncover the nakedness of' is a euphemism for sexual relations. The first section is basically summed up by 'don't sleep with your relatives' to use today's euphemism. There is however a quick glimpse of the proper relations between husband and wife. In 18:7-8 we see that the 'nakedness' of the father is the mother's 'nakedness' and the nakedness of the step-mother (father's wife) is the father's 'nakedness'. In other words, the nakedness or sexual activity of each in a marriage belongs to the other partner - a beautiful description of the sexual intimacy and two become one in marriage.
Intimacy during menstruation was also forbidden - this seems to be due to the ceremonial cleanliness rituals that Israel was to keep to mark them as separate from other nations.
Bestiality, homosexuality, and adultery are also all forbidden - all practices of the nations that were there before Israel, and practices which contributed to God's judgement upon the previous nations.
The rules relate not only to physical actions, but inward attitude. Respect for parents and for God is important. Love is to be shown to all, no matter their circumstances - whether they know it or not. Some may say it doesn't matter to curse a deaf man, but God hears it. The rule is not 'you can do wrong if you can get away with it', but 'do right whether you can get away with it or not, whether people see it or not'. The heart attitude is as important as the action.
We see more descriptions of how Israel is to be separate from the spiritual practices around them - not marking themselves like the pagans did in rituals, not seeking spiritual 'guidance' from people who claimed (rightly or wrongly) to be able to contact spirits/demons.
Rejection of God's rule and law brought about severe punishment - the death penalty was appropriate for such deliberate rejection of God and His standards. Whether it was going after foreign gods, killing children for sacrifices, cursing their parents, or sexual immorality, God did not take disobedience lightly. Israel was His people, and He their ruler - He is Holy, therefore they are to be holy (separated) to Him. The emphasis on God's Holiness, and our call to holiness in response is equally present in the New Testament - we live in a different political structure, and are not bound by ceremonial laws, but we are still called to live in obedience to God, imitate His character, and separate ourselves spiritually to Himself.
As a special example of separation, the priests in Israel receive further instruction. They are God's representatives to the people, and are to be an example spiritually, morally, and ceremonially. There is also a high standard to serve in the Temple - descendants of the priests who had physical imperfections/disease could share in the provisions for the priests, but could not serve. Their physical 'perfection' seems a symbol of spiritual perfection demanded, much like the offering of unblemished animals for sacrifice, which are also detailed.
In addition to civil rules, there were also prescribed feasts/holidays to remind the people of Israel about all that God had done for them. The Sabbath, as a weekly day set aside for God. The Passover, reminding of the escape from Egypt and the protection from judgement by the blood. The Feast of Firstfruits and Pentecost (Feast of weeks/fifty days) - recognising the Lord of the Harvest, and giving thanks for His provision. The Feast of Trumpets, a call to worship the Lord, and repentance. The Day of Atonement, the offering for the sin of the whole nation. The Feast of Booths, remembering the wanderings in the wilderness, and God's provision there. All a reminder to us of the importance of remembering all that the Lord does for us. Remembering regularly, and thanking and praising Him for His provision, both physical and spiritual.
After some arrangements for the continual supply of oil for the lamps and bread for the table in the Tabernacle, we see again a couple of civil rules. To blaspheme God, the Head of Israel, was punishable by death, as this amounted to treason. In other matters, the punishment should fit the crime - life for life, injury for injury. It was not to be like other systems where minor infractions could exact devastating punishment - judicial punishment was limited to the severity of the crime.
In the rules concerning the Years of Jubilee, and Sabbath years, we also see both a reliance upon God's provision, and a care for the poor. By taking a break from working the fields for a year, they relied on God providing through the plants that reseeded themselves. It also provided means for the servants/slaves to leave their masters if they desired, and return land to people that had sold it to cover hard times. Following on from this theme, the poor were to be helped, and not exploited - if the poor asked for help, then the Israelites were not to make a profit off the loans.
The book of Leviticus concludes with a reminder of blessing for obedience, and the judgement for disobedience. Even in disobedience, though there is room for confession and return to God - and we know from later history just how many times this occurred. In this section, it is noteworthy that here is the warning fulfilled later in the Babylonian captivity - 26:34 speaks of enforcing the Jubilee rest for the land (70 years captivity for all the years that the Jubilee was missed), and 26:23-24 speaks of the sevenfold increase in judgement if repentance is not forthcoming (490 years that Daniel is told about after the 70 years pass without full repentance).
Finally, vows are covered, and provision made for redeeming vows made if the original can no longer be offered. This section shows the solemnity of promises made to God, and this can also be applied to the solemnity of promises in general. Unlike some of the Judges (such as Jephthah), there is always a way out of a unwise promise, however. Because of the promise made, breaking it requires adding 20% to the value of it in substitute, in this way the arrangement is still given due solemnity, but allows escape from unwise promises. Similarly with tithes - if the person greatly desires to keep the tithe for the Lord, he can redeem it with something else, but add 20% value to its valuation. The underlying purpose of tithing is respect for the Lord, in acknowledgement that all is His. Again, today, we are not bound by a tithe (the word means 1/10th), but the principle of acknowledging the Lord's provision for us as we steward His resources is still important.
Holy God, we would remember Thee, and live in the light of Your love for us - living in obedience to You, and in holy separation unto You. Help us O Lord, by Your power, to live thus. We thank you for Your Holy Spirit, Who calls us to remembrance of the things we know of You, and empowers us to live for You, to Your glory. This world is Yours, and we are Thine, O Holy God. Amen.
Evidently, the phrase 'uncover the nakedness of' is a euphemism for sexual relations. The first section is basically summed up by 'don't sleep with your relatives' to use today's euphemism. There is however a quick glimpse of the proper relations between husband and wife. In 18:7-8 we see that the 'nakedness' of the father is the mother's 'nakedness' and the nakedness of the step-mother (father's wife) is the father's 'nakedness'. In other words, the nakedness or sexual activity of each in a marriage belongs to the other partner - a beautiful description of the sexual intimacy and two become one in marriage.
Intimacy during menstruation was also forbidden - this seems to be due to the ceremonial cleanliness rituals that Israel was to keep to mark them as separate from other nations.
Bestiality, homosexuality, and adultery are also all forbidden - all practices of the nations that were there before Israel, and practices which contributed to God's judgement upon the previous nations.
The rules relate not only to physical actions, but inward attitude. Respect for parents and for God is important. Love is to be shown to all, no matter their circumstances - whether they know it or not. Some may say it doesn't matter to curse a deaf man, but God hears it. The rule is not 'you can do wrong if you can get away with it', but 'do right whether you can get away with it or not, whether people see it or not'. The heart attitude is as important as the action.
We see more descriptions of how Israel is to be separate from the spiritual practices around them - not marking themselves like the pagans did in rituals, not seeking spiritual 'guidance' from people who claimed (rightly or wrongly) to be able to contact spirits/demons.
Rejection of God's rule and law brought about severe punishment - the death penalty was appropriate for such deliberate rejection of God and His standards. Whether it was going after foreign gods, killing children for sacrifices, cursing their parents, or sexual immorality, God did not take disobedience lightly. Israel was His people, and He their ruler - He is Holy, therefore they are to be holy (separated) to Him. The emphasis on God's Holiness, and our call to holiness in response is equally present in the New Testament - we live in a different political structure, and are not bound by ceremonial laws, but we are still called to live in obedience to God, imitate His character, and separate ourselves spiritually to Himself.
As a special example of separation, the priests in Israel receive further instruction. They are God's representatives to the people, and are to be an example spiritually, morally, and ceremonially. There is also a high standard to serve in the Temple - descendants of the priests who had physical imperfections/disease could share in the provisions for the priests, but could not serve. Their physical 'perfection' seems a symbol of spiritual perfection demanded, much like the offering of unblemished animals for sacrifice, which are also detailed.
In addition to civil rules, there were also prescribed feasts/holidays to remind the people of Israel about all that God had done for them. The Sabbath, as a weekly day set aside for God. The Passover, reminding of the escape from Egypt and the protection from judgement by the blood. The Feast of Firstfruits and Pentecost (Feast of weeks/fifty days) - recognising the Lord of the Harvest, and giving thanks for His provision. The Feast of Trumpets, a call to worship the Lord, and repentance. The Day of Atonement, the offering for the sin of the whole nation. The Feast of Booths, remembering the wanderings in the wilderness, and God's provision there. All a reminder to us of the importance of remembering all that the Lord does for us. Remembering regularly, and thanking and praising Him for His provision, both physical and spiritual.
After some arrangements for the continual supply of oil for the lamps and bread for the table in the Tabernacle, we see again a couple of civil rules. To blaspheme God, the Head of Israel, was punishable by death, as this amounted to treason. In other matters, the punishment should fit the crime - life for life, injury for injury. It was not to be like other systems where minor infractions could exact devastating punishment - judicial punishment was limited to the severity of the crime.
In the rules concerning the Years of Jubilee, and Sabbath years, we also see both a reliance upon God's provision, and a care for the poor. By taking a break from working the fields for a year, they relied on God providing through the plants that reseeded themselves. It also provided means for the servants/slaves to leave their masters if they desired, and return land to people that had sold it to cover hard times. Following on from this theme, the poor were to be helped, and not exploited - if the poor asked for help, then the Israelites were not to make a profit off the loans.
The book of Leviticus concludes with a reminder of blessing for obedience, and the judgement for disobedience. Even in disobedience, though there is room for confession and return to God - and we know from later history just how many times this occurred. In this section, it is noteworthy that here is the warning fulfilled later in the Babylonian captivity - 26:34 speaks of enforcing the Jubilee rest for the land (70 years captivity for all the years that the Jubilee was missed), and 26:23-24 speaks of the sevenfold increase in judgement if repentance is not forthcoming (490 years that Daniel is told about after the 70 years pass without full repentance).
Finally, vows are covered, and provision made for redeeming vows made if the original can no longer be offered. This section shows the solemnity of promises made to God, and this can also be applied to the solemnity of promises in general. Unlike some of the Judges (such as Jephthah), there is always a way out of a unwise promise, however. Because of the promise made, breaking it requires adding 20% to the value of it in substitute, in this way the arrangement is still given due solemnity, but allows escape from unwise promises. Similarly with tithes - if the person greatly desires to keep the tithe for the Lord, he can redeem it with something else, but add 20% value to its valuation. The underlying purpose of tithing is respect for the Lord, in acknowledgement that all is His. Again, today, we are not bound by a tithe (the word means 1/10th), but the principle of acknowledging the Lord's provision for us as we steward His resources is still important.
Holy God, we would remember Thee, and live in the light of Your love for us - living in obedience to You, and in holy separation unto You. Help us O Lord, by Your power, to live thus. We thank you for Your Holy Spirit, Who calls us to remembrance of the things we know of You, and empowers us to live for You, to Your glory. This world is Yours, and we are Thine, O Holy God. Amen.
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