Avoid Worldly Practices
18: 1-5
Avoid worldly practices DIG: In Chapter 18, Isra’el is called to be different than other nations (18:3, 21, 24-30). What does that tell you about the sexual practices of those other nations? How would not being set apart harm Isra’el’s relationship with ADONAI?
REFLECT: Do you embrace the fact that the Word of God tells us how to live and how to act, or is there a part of you that resents it? If so, where does that attitude come from? Is there any part of your life that is still in Egypt? How can God help you leave Egypt forever?
We are to be easily distinguishable from the secular/pagan culture in which we live.
Chapter 17 opened up a new section of Leviticus by way of the blood we can approach YHVH (to see link click Cy – The Holiness Code). For that purpose, the Messiah died for us. Once this concept is grasped, now Leviticus teaches the reader how to live and how to act. This is the practical aspect of the Torah. What we have here in Chapter 18 was not merely good advice that was being offered to Isra’el here – it was a matter of covenant loyalty. The text of this message follows the pattern of the ancient suzerain-vassal treaties (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Ah – Treaty of the Great King).301
Preamble (18:1-2): ADONAI said to Moshe, “Speak to the people of Isra’el; tell them, ‘I am ADONAI your God’ (18:1-2).” This is the main point of the message we need to grasp. When God becomes our Lord, then our lives will be so much easier, and the mitzvot which follows will be the breath of life, not a burden. These words: I am ADONAI your God can be seen in the first commandment: I am ADONAI your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. You are to have no other gods before Me (Deuteronomy 5:6-7). The phrase “no other gods” is emphasized by the mention of Molech in the next file (see Dd – Incest and Other Uncleanness: Molech). The phrase I am ADONAI your God is repeated twelve times in the next three chapters. We also have the words: I am ADONAI, which occur thirteen times in the next three chapters. That’s twenty-five times in the next three chapters. But now, these two verses summed up in the next three verses.
Historical prologue (18:3): The people of Isra’el were on the move. They were leaving Egypt and Canaan. YHVH warned them not to imitate the ways of the Egyptians (don’t turn back to the evil of your past), and He told them not to do as the Canaanites do (don’t be seduced by new temptations). This is the mission of the people of God. We are set apart. We are to be easily distinguishable from the secular/pagan culture in which we live, and one of the most obvious ways in which we can be different is in the area of sexuality, as we shall soon see.302
You are not to engage in the practices found in the land of Egypt, where you used to live; and you are not to engage in the practices found in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you; nor are you to live by their laws (18:3). But you may be asking yourself, “What does my life have to do with ancient Egypt or Canaan?” Let us first remind ourselves that the history of Egypt and the Israelites themselves have become an example for us to follow, being a reflection of who we are. As Paul reflected on Isra’el’s time in the wilderness, he said: These things happened as an example for us (First Corinthians 10:11-13). It’s as if he were saying, “Go back and read the Torah and see how Ha’Shem dealt with them.” In the same way, God deals with us today. As Isra’el was saved as a nation through the blood of the Lamb, so are we. Egypt and Canaan symbolize the world (First John 2:15-17).
General stipulations (18:4): You are to obey My statutes and ordinances and live accordingly; I am ADONAI your God. The words statutes and ordinances are often seen together in the Torah (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Bb – Hear and Obey), and here repeated twice, the second time in reverse order. We will sometimes see that these statues and ordinances are very harsh and at times, seemingly overly severe to us. For instance, the death penalty for those who violate Shabbat, or the death penalty for a son who insults his father or mother. These might act as a deterrent for some. However, the main reason that they are there is to remind us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Today, we live in a world that is at odds with God’s statutes (Hebrew: hachukkim, meaning to write into law permanently) and ordinances (Hebrew: hammishpatim, meaning a judgment of the court), which makes this book of Leviticus very contemporary for us. As the people of God, we are expected to imitate God, that is, to be holy. For I am ADONAI your God; therefore, consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy (11:44a).
Blessings (18:5): You are to observe My ordinances and statutes, if a person lives by them, he will have life through them; I am ADONAI (18:5). The word live brings us to consider the power behind the Torah of ADONAI. It has much more value than mere human laws. Torah is our blueprint for living here on the earth, but it also prepares us for the hereafter. Ancient rabbis have understood this. The targum of Jerusalem, Aramaic translations of the Hebrew before the first century, renders this verse, “You are to keep My statutes and ordinances so whoever does so may have eternal life.” The Words of YHVH are eternal and have eternal consequences. This is why it is so important to read the Word of God. Psalm 118:89 demonstrates this truth when David wrote: Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. This is why the Word says we should live by them. For we must all appear before the bema seat of Messiah, where everyone will receive the good or bad consequences of what he did while he was in the body (see the commentary on Revelation Cc – We Must All Appear Before the Bema Seat of Christ).303
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for being such a wonderful Father in so many ways. Your love took sin’s penalty of death at the cross and gave Messiah’s righteousness to those who declare with their mouth that Yeshua is Lord, and believe in their hearts that God raised Him from the dead. They will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Everyone wants to live in heaven and you also would like all to enter heaven, but there is a requirement to enter heaven – a heart that loves You as Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10). For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. In unrighteousness they suppress the truth, because what can be known about God is plain to them- for God has shown it to them (Romans 1:18-19). Many know about You, even Satan, but that is not good enough. Knowledge must be accompanied by a heart that delights to follow You in love. And He said to him: You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37).
While some think that everyone gets into heaven, you express a very different thought. “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13-14). Not even doing many good deeds will allow anyone into heaven. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23)! Lord, I love You and want to live a holy life to please You. You are our joy to live for! In Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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