Scripture Passage for Today
Scripture Focus
“I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from all other people.” (Leviticus 20:24 NLT)
Observation
These are troublesome verses for some. The restrictions seem reasonable enough—most people have no trouble with the kinds of prohibitions listed in chapter 20—but the punishments seem so severe! Practically every offense in chapter 20 results in capital punishment!
Again I think understanding rests in appreciating Israel’s unique status as a redeemed nation. They enjoy a status shared by no other people on the face of the earth. They’ve entered into covenant with the utterly awesome and absolutely holy God who rescued them from merciless bondage in Egypt. As God’s covenant people, they have chosen to embrace the character of their Redeemer-King, and to reflect that character to rest of the world. They represent Him. They show who He is. He is not marked by self-indulgence, decadence, or hedonism of any kind (like so many of the false gods were), and so neither can be the people who are uniquely His. He is holy without exception, and so they must be, too.
Why? Because there was nothing about the life of an Israelite that built any distinction between the sacred and the secular. Everything was about reflecting the character of Israel’s God. Even the requirements for a “perfect” priest and “perfect” sacrifices—something that, in today’s culture might be seen as discriminatory—anticipates our perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ. You can say Israel’s regulations seem unfairly restrictive, but you wouldn’t want any less than perfection in who Jesus is and what He accomplished, now would you?
Here we go: The same remains true for us, today, as God’s representatives in the world. There are things that might be deemed “acceptable” in any other context…activities, practices, pursuits, behaviors…that simply won’t do for the Spirit-filled believer. Why? Because they’re inherently wrong or sinful? No—not necessarily. Rather, it’s because they won’t accurately reflect, through our lives, the holy glory of the God who is our Redeemer-King.
2 comments:
God had it all planned out. He left nothing out and had it all in Hand. My question is that if someone would sin against God that required capital punishment would they get a chance for a forgiveness offering or was that it? Just a thought of mine. i dont know if there is an awnser for that one.
Talk about pressure. I cannot even begin to fathom the pressure the Isrealites felt trying to walk the straight path for God. Knowing that He was so close, and there was no hiding your sin. Yes, we can't hide our sin from God today but the price we pay for it is nothing compared to what the Isrealites had to pay for their sins. Maybe if we knew God was watching so intently we might try a little harder to please Him. I thank God everyday for sending His son Jesus to atone for our sins. Glen H
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