PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 19-21
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)
The word ‘holy’ means set apart, and involves a different way of being and living.
Paul describes it as “do not conform to the pattern of this world.” (Romans 12:2).
Peter echoes this same idea: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’ (1 Peter 1:14-16)
The many laws of the Moses Law are in contrast to “the customs of the nations” (Leviticus 20:23).
Some of them seem odd to us because we do not know those customs.
The underlying appeal is to be like God, not like the world.
As Jesus followers, Jesus is our example from which we learn what God is like.
There are lessons for us in the OT, but we always need to filter what we read through Jesus.
We are not under these laws, and yet Jesus will teach us through them.
People who ignore the scriptures run the risk of letting the world shape their values.
We need to take every thought, word, action, custom, law, or experience captive to Jesus.
He will help us, by His ‘holy’ Spirit, to be holy as God is holy!
PRAYER
Lord, following You is about so much more than just following laws. Use these laws, and the rest of scripture, to expose my wordly heart, and transform me to be more and more like You!
Be holy – set apart. God wants purity – the standards are high. I recognize that I am defective – in one way or another and can never measure up to that level of purity. Yet God set the standard high – people had to come and confess – submit their offerings – being honest about their sin. So must I – the standard has no compromise – I know that only in Jesus – could I ever measure up. Reading about the rituals and the level of purity – reminds me again and again: I could never measure up to that level of righteousness on my own – even as Jesus says – my thoughts and desires betray me! Jesus you are my only refuge.
“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:9-10, those were my favourite!