A Continued Call to Holiness
Leviticus 19-21 continues God’s call for Israel to be a holy people, set apart from the surrounding nations. In Leviticus 19, God emphasizes moral and social holiness, covering commandments that govern relationships, justice, and worship. Leviticus 20 outlines severe consequences for sins such as idolatry, sexual immorality, and child sacrifice, showing that holiness is not just about personal piety but also about maintaining the purity of the community. Leviticus 21 shifts the focus to the priesthood, detailing the higher standards required for those who serve in God’s presence.
Leviticus 19 is a powerful chapter that calls God’s people to holiness in every aspect of life. The chapter begins with God’s command: “Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy” (v. 2), setting the foundation for Israel’s moral and social conduct.
First, God commands the Israelites to respect their parents and observe the Sabbath (v. 3), reinforcing the importance of family and worship. Idolatry is strictly forbidden, and they are not to make or worship molten gods (v. 4). Offerings must be given in a proper manner (v. 5-8), ensuring they are eaten within the designated time, emphasizing obedience in worship. The chapter also addresses social justice by commanding farmers to leave the edges of their fields and gleanings for the poor and the sojourner (v. 9-10), demonstrating God’s care for the marginalized.
Ruth and Naomi were among those who benefited from this merciful law (Ruth 2:2). It was a tangible way to care for those in need and served as a reminder that the Israelites were caretakers of the land, not its owners. Just as God showed mercy and grace to them, they were to use their God-given resources to reflect His generosity to others. Today, we can follow this principle by finding ways to share our resources with those in need. How can you leave the ‘edges of your field’ to help others?
Integrity is central to holiness. God commands His people not to steal, lie, or deceive one another (v. 11) and prohibits false swearing in His name (v. 12). The chapter condemns oppression, such as withholding wages from laborers (v. 13), mistreating the disabled (v. 14), and showing partiality in judgment (v. 15). Gossip, slander, and hatred are forbidden (v. 16-17), and instead, God commands His people to love their neighbor as themselves (v. 18)—a foundational principle later echoed by Jesus.
Holiness extends even to practical matters. The Israelites must not crossbreed animals, mix fabrics, or plant mixed seeds (v. 19), likely symbolizing purity and separation. Sexual immorality, such as sleeping with a slave woman promised to another man, requires restitution (v. 20-22). Further, fruit from newly planted trees must not be eaten for the first three years, and in the fourth year, it must be dedicated to God before being consumed (v. 23-25).
God also warns against such things as divination, sorcery, and cutting the body for the dead (v. 26-28). The Israelites must not prostitute their daughters (v. 29) or consult mediums and spiritists (v. 31). Respect for the elderly is emphasized (v. 32), as well as fairness toward foreigners (v. 33-34), reminding Israel of their own experience in Egypt. Finally, honest weights and measures are required in business dealings (v. 35-36), ensuring justice and fairness in society.
God commanded the Israelites to honor the elderly, emphasizing the importance of respecting their wisdom and experience. Their insight can help us avoid many mistakes. How do you show respect to your elders? Similarly, God calls us to treat foreigners with kindness and love, just as we would our own neighbors. Instead of impatience or indifference, we should see them as opportunities to demonstrate God’s love. After all, we are all temporary residents in this world. How can you reflect God’s love to those who are new or different from you?
Leviticus 19 demonstrates that holiness is not just about rituals but about how one lives in everyday life. God’s holiness demands that His people act with integrity, love, justice, and compassion. Some see the Bible as just a list of “don’t’s,” but Jesus summed up all of God’s commands with two simple yet profound instructions: love God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34–40). These greatest commandments encompass all of God’s laws, and when we live by them, we naturally fulfill His will. How do you show His love to your neighbors, especially the poor and marginalized?
Leviticus 20 outlines the severe consequences for various sins and emphasizes God’s call for Israel to be a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding pagan cultures. God first addresses the worship of Molek, a Canaanite deity associated with child sacrifice. Anyone who offers their children to Molek is to be put to death, and God Himself will set His face against them and cut them off from His people (v. 1-5).
Child sacrifice was a common practice among Israel’s neighbors, such as the Ammonites, who offered children to Molek in hopes of gaining favor or protection. However, God made it clear that such acts were detestable and strictly forbidden. Unlike pagan gods, He is a God of love who does not need appeasement (Exodus 34:6), a God of life who values and protects human life (Deuteronomy 30:15-16), a defender of the helpless, especially children (Psalm 72:4), and a God of selflessness who sacrificed Himself for us instead of demanding sacrifice (Isaiah 53:4-5).
The people are also warned against consulting mediums and spiritists, as such practices defile them. Those who turn to such practices will be cut off from the community (v. 6). Many seek guidance about the future, but God warned against turning to the occult. Mediums and spiritists were forbidden because their knowledge did not come from Him. Some are simply deceptive, while others may be influenced by evil spirits, making them dangerous. Instead of seeking answers from unreliable sources, we can trust God’s Word, which provides all the guidance we need. The chapter reiterates God’s call for holiness, commanding the Israelites to consecrate themselves and keep His statutes because He is the Lord who sanctifies them (v. 7-8). Finally, God stipulates that anyone who curses their father or mother must be put to death (v. 9).
The chapter then lists punishments for various sexual sins. Adultery, incest, bestiality, and homosexuality are condemned, and those guilty of such acts are to be executed or cut off from the people (v. 10-16). The chapter also warns against relations with a woman during specific times, and those guilty will bear their punishment (v. 18). God imposed severe consequences for sexual sins because they harm individuals and society. These sins break marital trust, damage families, distort emotional well-being, and spread disease. While culture often glorifies sex outside of marriage, it overlooks the pain and consequences that come with it. God’s commands are not meant to restrict us but to protect us—because He loves us and wants what is best for us.
These laws were also meant to keep Israel pure and separate from the sinful practices of the nations they were about to dispossess. God reminds Israel that the Canaanites were defiled by such sins, and as a result, they were removed from the land. He warns the Israelites that if they follow these detestable practices, they, too, will be removed from the land (v. 22-23). Instead, they are called to be holy and distinct because the Lord has set them apart as His own people (v. 24). The chapter concludes with a final prohibition against engaging in occult practices and warns against defiling themselves through unclean animals, reinforcing the call to holiness (v. 25-27).
This chapter underscores the seriousness of sin and the consequences of idolatry, immorality, and disobedience. By enforcing strict consequences, God ensures that Israel remains set apart as His chosen nation. Are you allowing cultural influences or personal desires to compromise your obedience to God? Examine your life for compromises—are there habits, influences, or entertainment choices that pull you away from God’s standards? Commit to eliminating anything that competes with your devotion to Him.
Leviticus 21 establishes strict guidelines for the priests of Israel, emphasizing their need to remain holy and set apart because they serve as mediators between God and the people. The chapter outlines specific regulations regarding mourning practices, marriage, and physical qualifications for priestly service.
The chapter begins with instructions regarding the priests’ contact with the dead. Unlike ordinary Israelites, priests are not to make themselves ceremonially unclean by touching a dead body, except in the case of their closest relatives—mother, father, son, daughter, brother, or an unmarried sister (v. 1-3). They are forbidden from engaging in pagan mourning rituals, such as shaving their heads, cutting their beards, or making body cuts as signs of grief (v. 4-5). These restrictions reflect the priests’ sacred role in maintaining purity before the Lord.
Regarding marriage, priests are instructed to marry only a virgin and are excluded from marrying widows, divorced women, or prostitutes to maintain their holiness (v. 7). The high priest has even stricter regulations—he must not defile himself by mourning for anyone, even his own parents, and he must only marry a virgin from among his people to preserve the purity of the priesthood (v. 10-15). These laws emphasize the spiritual purity and integrity required of those who lead in worship.
Additionally, the chapter sets physical qualifications for those serving as priests. Any man with a physical defect—such as blindness, lameness, a deformed limb, or a skin disease—is prohibited from offering sacrifices before the Lord (v. 16-23). While these individuals may still eat from the holy offerings, they are not permitted to perform priestly duties at the altar. This requirement symbolizes the perfection and holiness that God demands in His worship.
Leviticus 21 underscores the sacred responsibility of the priesthood and their role in representing God’s holiness. Because they minister in God’s presence, their lives must reflect His purity. The passage serves as a reminder that those who serve God, whether in leadership or as His people, are called to a higher standard of holiness.
In conclusion, the call to holiness in these chapters is just as relevant today as it was for ancient Israel. God’s people are still called to live distinctly, upholding His standards in a world that often rejects them. While Leviticus emphasizes strict laws and consequences, the New Testament reveals that through Jesus Christ, we are made holy and empowered to live righteously. God’s laws are not meant to withhold good but to protect us from harm. Just as physical laws, like gravity, have consequences, so do spiritual laws. When God forbids something, it is to keep us from self-destruction. The next time you face temptation, remember that disobedience can lead to suffering and separation from the God who loves you and wants what is best for you. This week, take one practical step to remove distractions, reflect His character, and pursue a deeper relationship with Him in your daily life. Holiness is not about legalism—it’s about loving God so much that we desire to reflect His ways in everything we do.
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