Leviticus 18 Commentary

Leviticus 18 Commentary

Chapter 18 is underlined by verse 3. God’s people are to look at sexuality through a different lens. Opinions, thoughts, and mannerisms concerning sexuality should be different from those of Egypt and Canaan. We cannot be the same. The LORD expects us to be different. Stay out of the LGBT+++ team. You are different.

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. Do not follow their practices. Verse 3.

The chapter shows an entire list of sexual perversions common among the pagans. Yes, there is LGBT+++ but there is also Israel. Israel is different!

“No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.” Verse 6. The statement “I am the LORD” terminates each section. It provides the rationale behind the Law. These laws exist because of the character and person of the LORD God.

But there is more to sexual sin. Yes, it is a sin against God, but it also dishonors self and others. The latter is like an immediate punishment for self and others.

Israel is to find life by this law. Without this law, Israel will suffer the same fate as Canaan.

“Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD” Verse 5.

The Word of the LORD enforces itself on humanity through negative consequences, immediately or otherwise, and through positive consequences, immediately or later.

So Leviticus 18 gives a detailed reason why Canaan will be destroyed. It is not an act of injustice on the part of the LORD that a land occupied by others is given to Israel. It is an act of justice and importantly, an act of holy judgment against Canaan.

Child-sacrifice to Molek is one of the horrific sins of the Canaanites. Today’s thoughtless abortions are a different name for child-sacrifice. The saint must know better!

Interestingly, there aren’t any remedial rituals specified for these sins. The punishment is removal from God’s community!

We see the beginning of sacred laws reflecting God’s holiness. The LORD refers to His name each time He takes a breath between the instructions to Moses. This is a reference to the LORD’s holiness and an emphasis on the one and only reason why man must keep these laws.

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