Leviticus 18: The Call to Holiness

I. Introduction: The Book of Leviticus is a guide for life. It lays down the laws for holy living for the nation of Israel. The 18th chapter of Leviticus contains a variety of laws and directives, all aimed at helping the Israelites to live in purity, without defiling themselves or their land. This chapter presents an array of moral laws that are designed to preserve the sanctity of the family unit and sexual relationships. It also serves as a stark warning against the practices of the Canaanites, the people whose land God is giving to the Israelites. Deuteronomy 18:9 cautions the Israelites not to follow the detestable practices of the nations that were there before them.

II. Leviticus 18:1-5: The Call to Holiness

God explicitly tells the Israelites not to follow the practices of Egypt, where they came from, or Canaan, where they are going, but to follow His decrees and laws. These laws were not just regulations; they were a way of life, a part of their relationship with God. In James 1:22, we are reminded not to be merely listeners of the word, but doers.

III. Leviticus 18:6-18: Laws of Sexual Ethics

This section provides explicit prohibitions against incest. It lists relations that are considered forbidden, which can be cross-referenced with 1 Corinthians 5:1. Incest is not only seen as a violation of family relationships but also as a defilement before God.

IV. Leviticus 18:19-23: Prohibitions against Unnatural Relations

God gives specific prohibitions against relations during a woman’s menstrual period, adultery, homosexuality, and bestiality, to maintain purity and sanctity. These can be cross-referenced with Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. The laws were to set the Israelites apart from other nations and to protect them from the wrath of God.

V. Leviticus 18:24-30: Consequence for Disobedience

God warns the Israelites that the nations occupying Canaan were expelled because of these defilements. The land was defiled and vomited out its inhabitants. In Galatians 6:7, we are reminded that God is not mocked, and one reaps what one sows. God warns them that if they defile the land in the same way, the land will vomit them out as well.

VI. Conclusion: Leviticus 18 is a stern reminder that God values purity, holiness, and right relationships. It provides clarity on what God considers holy and unholy, clean and unclean, acceptable and detestable. The call to holiness and purity, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16, is not merely an Old Testament concept but a principle that extends into the New Testament and into our lives today. As we reflect on this chapter, we are reminded that God’s laws are not designed to restrict us, but to protect us, to ensure our well-being and to keep us in a right relationship with Him. It is a call to live differently, in a way that reflects God’s character and His love for us.

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