February 23rd

Leviticus 20:1-22:33

God gave Moses instructions regarding punishments for some of the offenses listed in previous chapters. He also provided more details on who can serve as priests and the type of offerings that they can and cannot use.

When we read passages like these, two things happen. Because they are so foreign and, at times, gross, we tend to skip over them; or, if we do read them, we tend to walk away with a negative view of God and His Word. After all, punishment for most of these offenses was death. For example, “All who curse their father or mother must be put to death. They are guilty of a capital offense” (20:9). Really?

We must proceed with caution here and remember a few things. First, these civil laws were for Israel and do not apply to us today. Second, we must be careful not to impose our warped opinions or flawed perspectives on the Lord, His chosen nation, or the times in which they lived. Third, we must realize that these terrible things were being committed by the Canaanites, and they were the reasons why the Lord was bringing judgment upon them. He was trying to prevent Israel from repeating these offenses so that the “land would not vomit them out” (20:22).

In regards to killing kids who curse their parents, we must put this law into context; it was for severe cases only. Rebellion had to be an ongoing problem, beyond what the parents could handle (Deut. 21:18-21). The situation had to be investigated by the elders and a ruling made. The Lord was protecting his nation by protecting their families; and, a child, in flagrant defiance of his parents, was not only a threat to the family but was rebelling against the Lord.

Finally, we cannot miss the resounding theme of these difficult passages — God’s holiness

 (20:3, 7, 8, 26; 21:8, 15; 22:2, 9, 16, 31-33). “Do not treat my holy name as common and ordinary,” says the Lord. “I must be treated as holy by the people, for it is I who makes you holy” (22:32). The Lord is holy, meaning without stain or blemish, absolutely perfect; and, He expects His people, that’s us, to be holy, which we cannot do without His help. He is the one who makes us holy through Christ.

Daily Reflection

How does this relate to you today, that God is holy and that He expects you to be holy?

Your lifestyle, your thoughts and words speak loudly of how you view the Lord. Is He holy to you? Do you honor His words with your activities or disdain them with your sin? Do you treat God’s name and character as ordinary, or do you refer to Him with fear and reverence?

The people of Israel were not expected to obey God’s laws to earn their salvation; that is impossible. They were expected to obey His laws and be holy themselves, because they represented Him on the earth. Today, you are one of His representatives. Be holy as He is holy.

“There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides You. There is no Rock like our God.”
1 Samuel 2:2

BiAY.org | Day 54 — 311 Days to Go