(I’ve placed chs.17,19 and 18,20 together to group similar themes)
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 18,20
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you.” (Leviticus 18:3)
Moses is applying the Law of Love to the sexual practices of his day.
The ancient near eastern culture was patriarchal: sex and power went hand in hand.
The men who are addressed here are warned against being patriarchal jerks.
They are commanded not to dishonour others by their sexual practices.
Men throughout history have abused their position and power; these chapters condemn it.
Do not use or abuse others – women, men, children, slaves, animals – for this is detestable.
The bible contains many stories of men committing sexual abuse (see Genesis 19, Judges 19)
All such abuse is contrary to God’s Law of Love, and therefore detestable.
“It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6)
Am I ‘taking advantage’ of anyone sexually, using and abusing them in an unloving way?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me when I dishonour others by my sexual thoughts or words or actions. Help me to pursue holy and honourable love, not passionate lust that harms others.
“You are to be holy to me because I, the Lord, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.”
For me the point is this – when I become a follower of Jesus – I want to be more like him – I want to be holy – set apart therefore, I want to avoid the mixed up sensual life that diverts my mind and my thoughts and actions away from being a follower. I seek to redirect my life to be more ‘holy’ – more right with God. God set these laws for the people to know that they are to exercise purity – to avoid all manner of sexual abuses and deviations – that are sinful. HS work my heart so that my thoughts and actions are more holy each day!