Levítico 19

Levítico 19

Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission Another Overview Chart of Leviticus - Charles Swindoll A third Overview Chart of Leviticus LEVITICUS THE BOOK OF SANCTIFICATION AND WORSHIP Adapted and modified from C. Swindoll Leviticus 1-17 Leviticus 18-27 The Way to God Access The Walk with God Lifestyle The Approach: Offerings Practical Guidelines The Representative: Priest Chronological Observances The Laws: Cleansing Physically & Spiritually Severe Consequences Verbal promises Ritual for Worship Worshipping a Holy God Practical for Walking Living a Holy Life Location: Mt Sinai for one full year Theme: How sinful humanity can approach and worship a holy God Key Verses: Lev 17:11, 19:2, 20:7-8 Christ in Leviticus: In every sacrifice, every ritual, every feast Time: about 1446BC Note from the preceding Chart that Leviticus 19 follows Leviticus 1-17 which describes the way of approach to the holy God. And since God is ultimate Truth, it follows that truth calls for a response so it is fitting that Leviticus 19-27 exhort a holy walk with God. Beloved, when you read the Word of truth in your Morning Quiet Time:With God, is it in one ear and out the other or does His holy Word invoke and inspire a Holy Walk, enabled by His Holy Spirit for the glory of the Lamb? If not, perhaps your motive for a Morning Quiet Time is more from a heart of legalism than of love! Don't be too hard on me "meddling" as there is only one finger pointed at you but four are pointing back to me! Bush - The present chapter is devoted, for the most part, to the repetition of certain laws which had been before given, but which from their intrinsic importance, the divine wisdom saw fit to insist upon with special emphasis. It will be seen that they have in the main more reference to moral than to positive duties, and brief as it is, it may be confidently affirmed that no merely human code was ever devised so well calculated in its observance to promote the wellbeing of the race. Except in one single case we find no special penalty annexed to the transgression of these precepts, but they are delivered as self-enforced on the simple supreme authority of Him who enacts them; ‘I am the Lord your God’—a declaration which in this connexion is, as it were, a royal signature to a solemn edict. (Leviticus 19 Commentary) Mark Twain said, “It isn’t the portions of the bible which I don’t understand that bother me; it’s the ones I do!” In this chapter 19 it basically is an overview of the 2 tablets given to Moses…the 10 commandments! All 10 are here! #1 & 2 (Lev 19:4); #3 (Lev 19:12); #4 & 5 (Lev 19:3); #6 (Lev 19:16); #7(Lev 19:29); #8,9 (Lev 19:11-16); #10 (Lev 19:18). Brian Bell - They were the basis for all Jewish Law & should be the basis for all Moral Law today. We have here a “Handbook for Believing Families”! It is really a guidebook to be used at home rather than in a public worship service. “It deals w/ordinary life, w/the institution of the family, w/agricultural practice, w/social behavior, w/the question of paying wages, w/ensuring correct weights & measures be used in the market place, & so on.” (William Barclay; pg.114) In each case it has to be an expression of love! The children of Israel were brought out of Egypt, but now they needed to be brought into “a land flowing w/milk & honey”! As believers we have been brought out of our own personal Egypts, but now we must be brought into “the land flowing w/milk & honey”! - Q: Where are you on that trek? Leviticus 19:1 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Bob Deffinbaugh offers this excellent introduction to our study of Leviticus 19… Leviticus 19 provides us with an exposition on the practice of holiness. The holiness of God is thus revealed in relationship to the redemption of Israel out of Egypt. Consequently, it is not until after the exodus that God calls upon His people to live holy lives. The Mosaic Covenant is established so that Israel would be a holy nation (Ex. 19:6). While there are hints at how holiness is to be practiced by the people of God earlier in the Pentateuch, it is in the 19th chapter of the Book of Leviticus that holiness is defined in great detail. Leviticus 19 is a crucial chapter for Christians (as well as the ancient Israelites) for a variety of reasons. First, it is important because of the distorted perceptions of holiness. Holiness is a term which is used more than it is understood. It is one thing for holiness not to be understood; it is even worse that it is misunderstood. There are many misconceptions in Christian circles as to what holiness really is. In the King James Version of the Bible, the terms “holy” and “holiness” do not occur until the Book of Exodus. Second, Leviticus 19 is vitally important because of the desperate need for the practice of holiness. As badly as holiness is misunderstood by Christians, it is practiced even more pathetically. Holy living is something which is not characteristic of the last days (cf. 2Ti 3:1-5), and it surely is not characteristic of Christianity in our own days as well. Third, many sincere Christians have gone astray seeking an unholy holiness. Many Christians who have been sidetracked into one of the cults have pursued a false conception of holiness. People generally do not join a cult in order to forsake holiness, but to attain it. Fourth, Leviticus 19 is important to us because of the prominence of its teaching in the New Testament. Both our Lord (Mt 5:43; Mt 19:19; Mt 22:39; Mk 12:31, 33; Lk 10:27) and the apostles (Ro 13:9; Gal. 5:14; James 2:8; 1Pet. 1:16) make a great deal of the two great commandments which are given here: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Lev. 19:2b). “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev. 19:18b). We must approach this chapter with these things in mind, because there are several factors which might incline us to hastily conclude that this chapter is irrelevant to 20th century Christians. In the first place there are some commands given here which are difficult to understand, even as they relate to the Israelite. Secondly, there are some commands which are clearly inapplicable to New Testament saints. Thirdly, this chapter appears not to have any real structure, and thus to deal with a wide variety of areas of the Israelites’ lives in a kind of miscellaneous category… Observing that the commands of Lev 19 have different levels of applicability to the contemporary Christian is of great benefit to the student of the Old Testament scriptures, for it suggests a vitally important principle of interpretations when dealing with the Old Testament: WHEN INTERPRETING THE OLD TESTAMENT, DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT ACCEPT, REJECT, OR REVISE THE TEACHING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT TEXT? Years ago, one of my Old Testament teachers in seminary suggested this guideline, and it has been of great value. In Leviticus Lev 19 we find commands which fit into each of these categories. Some are carried directly over into the New Testament; others are modified in practice, but based upon the same principle; and others seem to be totally unnecessary. It is by a careful comparison of the Old Testament texts to the teaching of the New Testament that these decisions can be reached. (Leviticus 19:1-37 How to Spell ‘Holy’-recommended) William MacDonald Notes on Leviticus 19 - The basis of all holiness is found in the words “I the Lord your God am holy” (Lev 19:2). Various laws for the conduct of the people are here laid down, as follows: Respect of parents (Lev 19:3)—the fifth commandment. Observance of the sabbath (Lev 19:3)—the fourth commandment. Prohibition of idolatry (Lev 19:4)—the second commandment. Eating of the peace offering on the third day forbidden (Lev 19:5-8). In harvesting a field, the owner was to leave some grain in the corners for the poor and strangers (Lev 19:9, 10). Stealing, cheating, and lying forbidden (Lev 19:11)—the eighth commandment. Swearing by the Name of God to a false statement outlawed {Lev 19:12)—the third commandment. Defrauding, robbing, or withholding wages prohibited (Lev 19:13). Cursing the deaf or stumbling the blind condemned (Lev 19:14). The people were to express their reverence for Jehovah by their respect for one another (Lev 25:17). The handicapped (Lev 19:4), the aged (Lev 19:32), and the poor (Lev 25:26, 43) were all to be treated with kindness by those who feared the Lord. Showing respect of persons in judgment forbidden (Lev 19:15). Slander and plotting against the life of a neighbor prohibited (Lev 19:16). Hatred of one’s brother forbidden: “But you shall reason with your neighbor, lest you bear sin because of him” (v. 17 RSV). Matters should be dealt with openly and frankly lest they become the cause of inward animosity leading to outward sin. Vengeance or bearing of grudges prohibited (Lev 19:18). The second part of Lev 19:18 is the summation of the whole Law (Gal. 5:14). Jesus said it was the second-greatest command (Mark 12:31). The greatest command is found in Deuteronomy 6:4, 5. Lev 19:19 is generally understood to forbid the interbreeding of animals that results in mules. “Cattle” here means beasts in general. Also, sowing a field with different kinds of seed, or wearing a garment of linen and woolen was for- bidden. God is a God of separation, and in these physical examples He was teaching His people to separate themselves from sin and defilement. If a man had illicit relations with a slave-girl betrothed to another man, both were scourged (see RV) and he was required to bring a trespass offering (Lev 19:20-22). When settled in Canaan, the Israelites were not to pick the fruit of their trees for three years. The fruit of the fourth year was to be offered to the Lord, and in the fifth year the fruit could be eaten (Lev 19:23-25). Perhaps the fruit of the fourth year went to the Levites or, as one commentator suggests, was eaten before the Lord as part of the second tithe. Other forbidden practices were: eating of flesh from which the blood had not been drained (Lev 19:26); practicing witchcraft (Lev 19:26); trimming the hair in accordance with idolatrous practices (Lev 19:27); making gashes in one’s flesh as an expression of mourning for the dead (Lev 19:28); making marks on the body as the heathen did (Lev 19:28); making one’s daughter become a prostitute, as was common in pagan worship (Lev 19:29); breaking of the sabbath (Lev 19:30); consulting mediums or wizards (Lev 19:31). Respect was to be shown to the aged (Lev 19:12), and strangers were to be treated with kindness and hospitality (Lev 19:33, 34). Honesty in business dealings was enjoined (Lev 19:35-37). Leviticus 19:2 "Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, 'You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. KJV Leviticus 19:2 Speak <01696> (08761) unto all the congregation <05712> of the children <01121> of Israel <03478>, and say <0559> (08804) unto them, Ye shall be holy <06918>: for I the LORD <03068> your God <0430> am holy <06918>. NET Leviticus 19:2 "Speak to the whole congregation of the Israelites and tell them, 'You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. BGT Leviticus 19:2 λάλησον τῇ συναγωγῇ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν NLT Leviticus 19:2 "Give the following instructions to the entire community of Israel. You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. ESV Leviticus 19:2 "Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy. NIV Leviticus 19:2 "Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them: 'Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy. Lev 11:44-45 Lev 20:7,26 Lev 21:8 Ex 19:6 Isa 6:3,4 Amos 3:3 Mt 5:48 2Co 6:14-16 2Cor 7:1 1Pe 1:15-16 Related Passages: Leviticus 11:44-45+ ‘For I am the LORD your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy. And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth. 45‘For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’” 2 Corinthians 7:1+ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 1 Peter 1:15-16+ but like the Holy One who called you, be (aorist imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” "THE THEME VERSE OF LEVITICUS" Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them - This word is for everyone, not just the Levites or the priests. This call by our Holy God echoes throughout both the old and new testaments (Ex 6:7; Ex 19:6 Lev 11:44,45,20:7,26 ,19:2, Dt 7:6,14:2, 1Pe 1:15,16). This passage is clearly one of the key verses of Leviticus. This section of Leviticus lists many rules that were specifically for the purpose of maintaining true holiness (separation as a peculiar people unto God - see KJV Dt 14:2 Dt 26:18 Titus 2:14 1Pe 2:9) in the earthly nation of Israel. The same principle is applied to the bride of Christ, the NT church (1Peter 1:15,16; 2:9). God's standards of holiness have not dissipated or been discarded, although sadly they are far too often disregarded by the modern church to its great peril and impotence. You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy - Holy means set apart from the profane or common and in this case to the perfect and divine One, god. The overarching command it to be holy and the reason the people are to be holy is because God is holy. How can an unholy people give a good opinion of the invisible God to the godless world (cf Mt 5:16+). THOUGHT - The church has the most impact on the world when it is least like the world. Could this be why the church in America in 2022 has so little impact on the society? Just wondering! Bell - The primary reason for all holiness & obedience is the character & authority of God! When we talk about God’s Holiness we mean His Transcendence, His Remoteness from everything earthly & wrong. When we talk about Man’s Holiness we mean consecration to God. The phrase LORD your God signifies personal relationship and is used 8x - Lev 19:2 Lev 19:3 Lev 19:4 Lev 19:10 Lev 19:25 Lev 19:31 Lev 19:34 Lev 19:36. Can you say "The LORD is my God?" If not read Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8-9 and Ro 10:9-10. Leon Hyatt - This message was for all the people of Israel, and Moses was to relay it to them. Jehovah began this message by stating the basis on which the laws of Israel were founded. They were based on the holiness of Jehovah their God. Since the Israelites were Jehovah’s people, they were called to be like Him. Jehovah was holy, so they were to be holy. The laws were designed to teach the Israelites what it means to be holy. Jehovah is the standard by which right actions are measured, and the laws described what it means to be like Him. Merrill - Lev. 19:2 is often referred to as the theme verse or motto of Leviticus. The concept of having God as the standard of holiness first occurs in Leviticus in 11:44-note. It occurs again in Lev. 20:7, 26-note. But holiness was not only required of the Israelites, but is the manner of lifestyle for all believers (Exod. 19:6; 1Pe 1:15-16-note). The "holiness code," which is a term often applied to the material of Lev 16-27, is heavily ethical rather than ceremonial. Man was made in the image of God and is expected to reflect the divine likeness in a number of ways, including ethical standards. These standards are based on the never-changing nature of the LORD God. Lev. 22:32-note again reiterates this principle, that ethical connotations of holiness find their basis in the statements against confusing the realms of the sacred with the common or profane. In Lev. 27:30-note the tithe of animals and vegetation was "holy" to the LORD. Earlier in this verse it is stated that the tithe "belongs to the LORD." As a result, the tithe by association and dedication became "holy," that is, set apart for divine use. (The Bible Knowledge Word Study - Gen-Deut) George Bush - Leviticus 19 Commentary Say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. The same sanction had been given before, Lev 11:44, in connexion with the precepts respecting the distinction of meats, by which they were to be severed and set apart from all other nations; and so here when they are again commanded to be distinguished from all other people by a peculiar system of moral laws and usages, the same injunction is repeated. Indeed one grand leading sense involved in the team is ‘holy’ separated, sequestered, set apart from that which is common and secular. F B