◄ Leviticus 18:1 ►
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Study Bible
Then
The word "Then" serves as a transitional marker, indicating a continuation of the narrative and a new phase in the divine instructions given to Moses. It suggests a sequence of events, following the previous chapters where God established the laws concerning sacrifices and priestly duties. This transition underscores the ongoing revelation of God's will to His chosen leader, Moses, and sets the stage for the specific instructions that follow.

the LORD
The term "the LORD" is a translation of the Hebrew name "YHWH," often vocalized as Yahweh. This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature and His faithfulness to His promises. In the context of Leviticus, it highlights God's authority and holiness, as He is the one who establishes the moral and ceremonial laws for His people. The use of this name reminds the Israelites of their unique relationship with God, who delivered them from Egypt and now calls them to live according to His standards.

said
The verb "said" indicates direct communication from God to Moses. This is not merely a suggestion or a discussion but a divine command. In the Hebrew context, the word "amar" is used, which conveys the idea of speaking with authority and purpose. This underscores the seriousness and importance of the instructions that follow, as they are not human inventions but divine mandates.

to Moses
Moses is the chosen leader and prophet through whom God communicates His laws to the Israelites. His role as mediator is crucial, as he stands between God and the people, receiving divine instructions and conveying them to the nation. Historically, Moses is a central figure in the Exodus narrative, and his leadership is pivotal in guiding the Israelites through the wilderness. The mention of Moses here reinforces his authority and responsibility in ensuring that God's laws are understood and obeyed by the people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and righteous, giving instructions to His people.

2. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His laws and commandments to the people.

3. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who are receiving the laws and commandments through Moses.

4. Mount Sinai
Although not directly mentioned in this verse, it is the place where God gave the Law to Moses.

5. The Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites are journeying and receiving God's laws.
Teaching Points
God's Authority
Recognize that God is the ultimate authority and His commands are to be followed. This verse reminds us that the laws given are not human inventions but divine instructions.

Role of Mediators
Understand the importance of mediators like Moses in conveying God's will. In the New Testament, Jesus is our ultimate mediator.

Holiness and Obedience
The call to holiness is central to Leviticus. As believers, we are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness, setting us apart from the world.

Continuity of God's Word
The instructions given to Moses are part of the continuous revelation of God's will, which is fulfilled in Christ. We should see the Old Testament laws as pointing towards the greater revelation in Jesus.

Community and Covenant
The laws were given to a community in covenant with God. As the church, we are a community called to live out God's covenant in our relationships and actions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's authority in Leviticus 18:1 influence your view of Scripture as a whole?

2. In what ways can we see Jesus as a greater mediator than Moses, and how does this impact our relationship with God?

3. How can we apply the principle of holiness from Leviticus in our daily lives today?

4. What are some ways the church can reflect the community and covenant relationship seen in the laws given to Israel?

5. How do the laws in Leviticus point us towards the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, and how can we apply this understanding in our spiritual growth?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20
The giving of the Ten Commandments, which sets the foundation for the laws in Leviticus.

Deuteronomy 5
A reiteration of the law, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commandments.

Hebrews 3
Discusses Moses' faithfulness as a servant in God's house, highlighting his role in delivering God's law.

1 Peter 1
Calls believers to be holy as God is holy, reflecting the holiness laws given in Leviticus.

Romans 12
Encourages believers to not conform to the patterns of this world, similar to the call for Israel to be distinct from surrounding nations.
Sermons
Two Aspects of SinW. Clarkson Leviticus 18:1-4
Obedience EnjoinedS.R. Aldridge Leviticus 18:1-5
Safety in the Observance of God's LawsBp. Babington.Leviticus 18:1-5
Abominable DoingsJ.A. Macdonal Leviticus 18:1-30
The True Morality is Based Upon the True ReligionR.A. Redford Leviticus 18:1-30
UnworldlinessR.M. Edgar Leviticus 18:1-30
People
Israelites, Molech, Moses
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Teman
Topics
Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 18:1-5

     1235   God, the LORD
     7258   promised land, early history

Leviticus 18:1-22

     5714   men

Leviticus 18:1-24

     8273   holiness, ethical aspects

Library
General Character of Christians.
"And they that are Christ's have crucified the Flesh, with the Affections and Lusts." St. Paul is supposed to have been the first herald of gospel grace to the Galatians; and they appear to have rejoiced at the glad tidings, and to have received the bearer with much respect. But after his departure, certain judaizing teachers went among them, and labored but too successfully, to alienate their affections from him, and turn them form the simplicity of the gospel. The malice and errors of those deceitful …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
"But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,--Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth; and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from …
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

Epistle Lxiv. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [174] . Here begins the epistle of the blessed Gregory pope of the city of Rome, in exposition of various matters, which he sent into transmarine Saxony to Augustine, whom he had himself sent in his own stead to preach. Preface.--Through my most beloved son Laurentius, the presbyter, and Peter the monk, I received thy Fraternity's letter, in which thou hast been at pains to question me on many points. But, inasmuch as my aforesaid sons found me afflicted with the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Two Sabbath-Controversies - the Plucking of the Ears of Corn by the Disciples, and the Healing of the Man with the Withered Hand
IN grouping together the three miracles of healing described in the last chapter, we do not wish to convey that it is certain they had taken place in precisely that order. Nor do we feel sure, that they preceded what is about to be related. In the absence of exact data, the succession of events and their location must be matter of combination. From their position in the Evangelic narratives, and the manner in which all concerned speak and act, we inferred, that they took place at that particular …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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