A Study of Leviticus 18

Transcription

1 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 1 of 8 A Study of Leviticus 18 I. Outline. 1. Israel Must Follow God s Laws (Leviticus ). 2. Sexual Regulations and the Family (6-18). 3. General Sexual Guidelines (19-23). 4. Defilement Will Bring Expulsion from the Land (24-30). II. III. IV. Summary. Contents: Relationship and walk of God s people. Characters: God, Moses. Conclusion: Fleshly lusts war against the soul and will certainly be the ruin of it, if God s mercy and grace prevent not. Key Word: Abominations, v. 26. Strong Verses: 3, 4, 5, 24, 26, 30. Striking Facts: There are many sins which level men with the beasts but these here mentioned sink men lower than beasts. -- Brooks, K. (2009). Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the Old Testament (28). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software Chronology. BIBLE PERIOD: The Period of the Wilderness Wandering If you are not familiar with the 15 Bible Periods, please click here: Words/Phrases to Study 18:3 NEITHER SHALL YE WALK IN THEIR ORDINANCES In the ancient world, especially in Canaanite theology, the prism for understanding reality was through the act of cohabitation. The gods and goddesses produced through relations the good ordered world in which people live. The idea that God was not sexual, that is he is neither male nor female, was unique. That the Lord God of Israel had no wives or consorts distinguished the religion of Israel from all others. This feature gave the instructions on sexual behaviors a different perspective than was commonly accepted. The nations generally confused creation and the Creator, deifying creatures and denying the one true God his sole place as Sovereign Lord. The Apostle Paul addressed the chief sins and guilt of the Gentiles in the book of Romans, in which he showed that idolatry and polytheism were fundamentally denials of the Lord as Creator-God (1:22-25). He coupled with this sin the wickedness of sexual aberrations that characterized GrecoRoman culture (1:26-28) [Kenneth A. Matthews, R. Kent Hughes, Leviticus: Holy God, Holy People, Preaching the Word, Good News Publishers/Crossway Books, Kindle Edition] I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD It is of real interest to note that the emphatic phrase I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD is used three times in this one chapter (Leviticus 18:1, 4, 30) and only one other time in the whole book (Leviticus 11:44). This speaks to a very deep need. We can have no communion with God in whose image we are created if we indulge or serve the lusts of the flesh. We cannot and will not know Him personally until we are willing to submit to His way of life [Don DeWelt, Leviticus, Bible Study Textbook Series, Joplin, MO: College Press, 1975, an e- Sword Module] KEEP MY STATUTES, AND MY JUDGMENTS: WHICH IF A MAN DO, HE SHALL LIVE IN THEM...that is, by observing them the law abiding will live a happy and prosperous life, since disobedience will expose the offender to the penalty of death. The spiritual authorities in the time of the second Temple interpreted this clause to mean that he who obeys these laws shall have eternal life. Hence the ancient Chaldee Versions translate it, Shall have life eternal. This passage is quoted both in

2 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 2 of 8 the Prophets (Ezekiel 20:11, 13, 21; Nehemiah 9:29) and by St. Paul (Romans 10:5; Galatians 3:12), who contrasts this promise made to works with the promise of the Gospel made to faith [C.D. Ginsburg, The Third Book of Moses, Called Leviticus, A Bible Commentary for English Readers, 1905, Editor: Charles Ellicott, an e-sword Module] TO UNCOVER THEIR NAKEDNESS erwāh: A feminine noun expressing nakedness. This word can pertain to physical nakedness for either a man or a woman (Genesis 9:22-23; Exodus 20:26); however, it is more often used in a figurative sense. When used with the verbs gālāh (H1540), meaning to uncover or remove, and rā āh (H7200), meaning to see, one finds a common euphemism for sexual relations-to uncover one's nakedness (Leviticus 18:6; 20:17) [Spiros Zodhiates, General Editor, The Complete Word Study Dictionary, an e-sword Module] NEITHER SHALT THOU TAKE A WIFE TO HER SISTER, TO VEX HER, TO UNCOVER HER NAKEDNESS, BESIDE THE OTHER IN HER LIFE TIME The essence of the restriction appears to be that of bringing in another woman/wife into the household as a rival to one s first wife. Polygamy was common in many lands, and reared its head among the people of Israel. Though never given God s approval, He regulated the circumstances in which it took place by demanding that ethical behavior characterize every relationship. In Deuteronomy , men with two wives were told that the least loved was not to be treated in a way that was unjust but in fact, if the son of the least loved was the firstborn, he was to receive a double portion. The narrative of Jacob with Leah and Rachel gives not only a reasonable argument opposing polygamy, but also exposes the folly of having two sisters as his wives. Rivalry among children of polygamy entered several Old Testament families (e.g., Jacob with Joseph and his brothers, Genesis 35ff, David with his family, 2 Samuel 13), and rivalry among wives (see Hannah and Peninnah, 1 Samuel 1.4ff) served only to bring strife and pain to the entire family [Carl B. Garner] PUT APART FOR HER UNCLEANNESS Sexual relations are forbidden with a woman while she is menstruating. This is put in for completeness here so that all aspects of sexual relations are covered, but it has been dealt with previously (Leviticus 15:24; compare Leviticus 20:18). To lie with a woman so that her blood comes on him renders a man unclean for seven days (Leviticus 15:24). But this would seem to refer to a situation which is unwitting, for 20:18 makes a deliberate lying with a menstruous woman a ground for being cut off, and Ezekiel lists it as a sin parallel to idolatry and adultery (Ezekiel 18:6; Ezekiel 22:10). This would make this an absolute prohibition, on a par with the previous ones.... To lie with her in her blood was to treat life and death, and the woman herself, casually, and to deliberately come in contact with the unclean [Peter Pett, Commentary on Leviticus, Bluebox Publishing, an e-sword Module] THOU SHALT NOT LIFE CARNALLY WITH THY NEIGHBOUR S WIFE Adultery is once more specifically forbidden. This again is in order to have a complete picture of sexual relations that are totally forbidden. To lie with a neighbour s wife is to be defiled, and as we know from elsewhere, deserving of death [Peter Pett] THOU SHALT NOT LET ANY OF THY SEED PASS THROUGH THE FIRE TO MOLECH-- Literally, to let it pass to Molech, that is, to put the child into the hands of the figure of Molech, when it fell into the fire which was kindled in the hollow statue of this idol. Molech, also called Milcom, which denotes king, is described as the hideous idol, or the abomination of the Ammonites (1 Kings 11:5, 11). The following graphic description has been handed down traditionally of this idol and its worship Our sages of blessed memory say that whilst all other idols had temples in Jerusalem, Molech had his temple outside Jerusalem, in a place by itself. It was a brass and hollow image, bull-headed, with arms stretched out like a human being who opens his hands to receive something from his neighbour. Its temple had seven compartments, into which the offerers went according to their respective gifts. If one offered a fowl, he went into the first compartment; if a sheep, into the second; if a lamb, into the third; if a ram, into the fourth; if a bullock, into the fifth; if an ox, into the sixth; and if he offered his son, he was conducted into the seventh compartment. He first kissed the image, as it is written, let the sacrificers of men kiss the

3 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 3 of 8 calf (Hosea 13:2), whereupon a fire was kindled in Molech till its arms became red hot; the child was then put into its hands, and drums were beaten to produce tremendous noises so as to prevent the shrieks of the child reaching the father s ears, lest he should be moved with pity towards his offspring. It was to this idol that Solomon erected a temple on the southern side of Mount Olivet (2 Kings 23:13). This idolatrous worship was punished with death by stoning. (See Leviticus 20:2.) [C.D. Ginsburg] THOU SHALT NOT LIE WITH MANKIND, AS WITH WOMANKIND: IT IS ABOMINATION We know of this sin under the name homosexuality. Is the Bible very clear on God s estimate of this act? Indeed it is! This was the sin of Sodom (Genesis 19:5) for which God burned them up. The death penalty was given for it in Leviticus 20:13. Israel was involved in this sin and suffered for it. (Judges 19:22; 1 Kings 14:24) The apostle Paul described it as being a sin upon which the wrath of God was revealed from heaven. (Romans 1:27) He condemned it in no uncertain terms. (1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19; 1 Timothy 1:10) Men have been and are now delivered from such a bondage. We have nothing but concern and compassion for such persons on a human level but there must be motivation from God, not man to deliver such persons [Don DeWelt]. An abomination, a term especially frequent in the Book of Deuteronomy, refers to an act that is abhorrent or repugnant, such as idolatry and inappropriate worship of God (see Deuteronomy 7:25; 27:15; 17:10 12:31; 18:9 14) [Rooker, M. F. (2000). Vol. 3A: Leviticus. The New American Commentary (246). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers] NEITHER SHALT THOU LIE WITH ANY BEAST TO DEFILE THYSELF THEREWITH The necessity for the prohibition of this shocking crime, for which the Mosaic law enacts the penalty of death (see Leviticus 20:15-16; Exodus 22:18), will appear all the more important when it is borne in mind that this degrading practice actually formed a part of the religious worship of the Egyptians in connection with the goat deities [C.D. Ginsburg] THE LAND ITSELF VOMITETH OUT HER INHABITANTS The expulsion of the Canaanites is spoken of as though it had already happened (18:28). Yet if the Israelites become like the pagan nations, performing the same sexual perversions, they should expect no different fate from that of their predecessors in the land. The land will vomit (qîʾ) Israel out of the land just as the fish vomited (qîʾ) Jonah upon the seashore (Jonah 2:10); in other words, Israel will go into exile (18:25). This imagery indicates that nature itself takes vengeance upon crass moral deviation. The use of the word vomit to describe the people s expulsion from the land particularly stressed the Lord s repulsion at the people s activity since vomiting is probably the most violent of all bodily reactions. The reaction of the land to the nation s moral obedience suggests an interdependence of the people and the land [M.F. Rooker, p. ] SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG THEIR PEOPLE Therefore any who behave in any of these ways are to be cut off from among the people. The point is that they must be removed from among God s covenant people and from the land. It may be that God allowed the people to do the cutting off in whatever way they wished, by death or exile (as the Canaanites could be either killed or driven out), or that He intended to do it Himself [Peter Pett]. kāraṯ: A verb meaning to cut off, to cut down, to make a covenant. This word can mean literally to cut something down or off, as grapes (Numbers 13:23-24); or branches (Judges 9:48-49). It can also be used figuratively, as with people (Jeremiah 11:19; Jeremiah 50:16). Another important use of this word is to make a covenant (lit., to cut a covenant), perhaps deriving from the practice of cutting an animal in two in the covenant ceremony. God made a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15:18); Abraham made one with Abimelech (Genesis 21:27). Finally, this word can also mean to destroy, as in Micah's prophecy (Micah 5:10) [The Complete Word Study Dictionary]. V. Lessons & Applications. Leviticus in God's divine standard one will learn of God's instruction pertaining to human sexuality and will learn that the perversion of such is a type of moral SICKNESS. However, as

4 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 4 of 8 disease and sickness can destroy the body, so sin as a spiritual sickness can destroy the soul. As has been seen already, sexual sins are an abomination to God, and they destroy the soul of the individual. Notice also that such sins make a nation weak and sickly as well. Leviticus 18 makes clear that the Canaanites devoted themselves to such practices and that God drove them out of the land because of their sins. God had said that the sins of the people had "defiled" the land. Sin not only affects the individual, but the individual's sins affect others as well; they have an accumulative effect upon a people and a nation. We as a people need to learn this important lesson. Our neighbor's sin has an effect upon us as a community, a state, and a nation. There are no victimless people in sin; many are affected by it in addition to the sinner. Stop and reflect about the matter just for a moment [Jim Laws, in Studies in Leviticus, Editor: James Meadows, 1998 ETSPOM Lectures, p. 226]. AFTER THE DOINGS OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, WHEREIN YE DWELT, SHALL YE NOT DO: AND AFTER THE DOINGS OF THE LAND OF CANNAN, WHITHER I BRING YOU, SHALL YE NOT DO... (Leviticus 18.3). God, both then and now, gives man the proper STANDARD for living. God did not accept the moral standards of Egypt or Canaan, and God's people were not to follow them either.... God expected Israel to follow His divine law, which would result in blessings for them, and not the human law they saw everywhere around them, which would result in condemnation. This point is emphasized over and over again in the phrase I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, which is used 21 times in chapters 18 and 19. The statement reminded them that they were under God's authority and that they were to submit to it. This aspect of man s relationship to God has never changed. It has always been the case that man is to reverence and respect the word of God as the authority for his life. Even though it has been the case that God has changed His specific requirements with man according to the dispensation in which he was dealing with man at the time, He nonetheless has always required that man follow Him and not the teaching of any other [Jim Laws, p ]. YE SHALL DO MY JUDGMENTS, AND KEEP MINE ORDINANCES, TO WALK THEREIN: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD (Leviticus 18.4). The temptation is always strong to imitate our neighbors and to blend in with them and the community in which a person lives. Being different was probably as much a problem for Israel as it is for many today. We desire acceptance, and too often are willing to go to great lengths to receive it even to the extent of ignoring God s precepts. Nothing seems as important as being accepted by our peers, whether young or old. But to be special, separate, and different, that is exactly what God demanded of Israel.... The New Testament makes no less demand of us today Romans And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The Corinthians must have been greatly tempted to blend in with their neighbors, even to the extent that brethren would be led to sin. In 2 Corinthians Christians are given wise information on the subject of becoming too close to the world and its accoutrements 2 Corinthians Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty [Carl B. Garner, in Studies in Leviticus, Editor: Devin Dean, 2005 Annual Denton Lectures, p. 281]. THOU SHALT NOT LIE WITH MANKIND, AS WITH WOMANKIND: IT IS ABOMINATION (Leviticus 18.22). From the earliest beginnings of the gay movements in America, claims have been made that this is a genetic, inborn matter, not a matter of choice. Some have actually claimed that God made them that way and that they did not choose to be homosexuals. This is a claim that would, obviously, place God in a position of forbidding that which He has caused. God s justice is at the heart of this question, for if God made them that way, how can a just God then condemn them

5 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 5 of 8 for that which is not under the control of the individual? Biblically, God s justice is foundational to His existence. It is part of His nature, and just as it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18, Tit. 1:2), it is impossible for God to be unjust. Moses, at a time in his life in which he could have denied the justice of God because of his being replaced by Joshua in the conquest of Canaan, does just the opposite. In Deuteronomy 32, Moses praises God for His justice: He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he (Deuteronomy 32:4). The justice of God is claimed elsewhere in such contexts as Deuteronomy 10:18, Genesis 18:25, Psalm 99:4 and 2 Thessalonians 1:6. But, someone asks, what if science does find a genetic connection, a gay gene? Will that not prove God made them that way? Well, there are many scientists who would love to find such a gene. They are looking diligently for such a connection. It may seem strange to us, but a great many people today look more favorably upon the practice of homosexuality than ten years ago. Funds are being supplied by large donors to those in the field of genetics to find that gay gene. Several claims have been made, but when the dust has settled, the claims do not hold up under investigation. At this writing, such a claim has just been announced. In early July of this year (2005), Oregon State University reported the following, as quoted in the Seattle Times: A flock of sheep at Oregon State University may help answer a key question behind the controversy: Is homosexuality a matter of choice or biology? The Corvallis herd includes a group of rams that scientists delicately refer to as male-oriented. These animals consistently ignore females and bestow all their amorous attentions on members of their own sex. Sheep aren t people, but the Oregon work adds to a growing body of research that bolsters biological explanations for sexual orientation across species including humans. Reading this news article reminds one of such articles written about the discovery of proof of Darwinian theories. In the article we see such phrases as study suggests, hopes to engineer, a possible explanation, appear to be, and other subjective terms. The article admits: It s very unlikely to uncover a single gay gene. As in most complex traits, multiple genes and environmental factors probably work together. In the early 1990s Simon LeVay reported his study of heterosexual and homosexual men. He stated that there were conditions in the brain of homosexual men that were different from those of heterosexual men. LeVay and others who are sympathetic to the homosexual agenda looked upon these differences as strong evidence of a biological connection to homosexuality. As the years passed, his discovery lost much of its support, and LeVay himself admitted: I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a gene for being gay. I didn t show that gay men are born that way. Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain. Those who espouse their views on genetics and homosexuality utilize terms that are not familiar to the layman, and they take advantage of that fact. Often the media will report that a trait is genetic. The average reader may immediately associate the term genetic with the principle of being inherited. That is not the conclusion that is accurate, but the terminology is vague (perhaps intentionally so) and easily misunderstood. It has caused many to believe that which is not at all indicated by the research. In the same manner, the report from Oregon previously quoted uses vague, subjective, easily misinterpreted language. Reading such media reports demands very close attention to the terminology found in the report. It may not mean what it seems to mean, and it may have been intentionally misleading [Carl B. Garner, pp. 289]. VI. Questions. True or False 01. The sin of 1 Corinthians 5.1 is also forbidden in the Law of Moses. 02. More than one verse indicates that these laws of chapter 18 were to apply particularly to their future life in the Land of Canaan. 03. Being CUT OFF is not mentioned in this chapter.

6 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 6 of In God s eyes, homosexual sexual relations is an abomination. 05. Marrying your wife s sister was forbidden while she still was alive. I Found it in Verse(s) 06. God states that He is going to bring the children of Israel into the Land of Canaan. 07. Regulation against bestiality. 08. Reason given for the inhabitants of Canaan not continuing in the land. 09. Regulation involving an aunt. 10. A general statement regarding uncovering nakedness of near kin. 11. One s father s sister is described as: Short Answer 12. Three different terms used synonymously with COMMANDMENTS: 13. Words used to describe the punishment God would give to the inhabitants of Canaan: 14. Moreover thou shalt not with thy neighbour s wife Thou shalt not uncover the of thy brother s wife: it is thy nakedness. Each Question is worth 7 Points My Score is: Answers will be found on next week s handout ANSWERS to Leviticus 17 Questions 01 True (12); 02 True (14); 03 True (3-4); 04 True (11); 05 False (6); 06 2; 07 16; 08 13; 09 7; 10 10; 11 ox, lamb, goat, in, out (3); 12 died, itself (15); 13 Peace, Burnt (5, 8); 14 eat blood (12); 15 blood, atonement, soul (11).

7 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 7 of 8 VII. Seek-A-Word Puzzle. The words may be backwards, diagonal, upside down, etc. See if you can find them all. The more you use the words of the Bible, the greater blessed you will be! You might be surprised at how much this little exercise will help you retain important truths. THANK YOU for the good effort you are putting forth in Bible study. DRL ABOMINABLE ALSO APPROACH BORN BROTHER COMMIT DAUGHTER DEFILE DOINGS EVEN FATHER JUDGMENTS KEEP KINSWOMAN LAND LORD MOTHER NAKEDNESS NATION NEITHER ORDINANCE SISTER SON S STATUTES TAKE THEREFORE THEREIN THYSELF UNCOVER WALK

8 A Study of Leviticus 18...Page 8 of 8 VIII. Crossword Puzzle. Leviticus 18 (KJV) ACROSS 01) Israel is warned about abominable. 03) The land out the nations before them. 08) Walking in the of Egypt or Canaan was forbidden. 09) Moses was told to unto the children of Israel. 10) Israel was not to let seed pass through the fire to... 12) The land itself vomiteth out her 13) Is found 24 times in this chapter. DOWN 01) Israel was not to lie with a neighbor s wife. 02) Ye shall keep my and my judgments. 04) Abominations caused the land to be. 05) not ye yourselves. 06) Lying with mankind as with womankind is this--- 07) Israel was to in the ordinances of the Lord. 11) Whoever commits these abominations shall be off.