But you are to keep My statutes and ordinances, and you must not commit any of these abominations--neither your native-born nor the foreigner who lives among you. But you are to keep My statutes and ordinancesThis phrase underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands. The Hebrew word for "keep" is "shamar," which means to guard, observe, or give heed. It implies a vigilant and active commitment to God's laws. The "statutes" (Hebrew: "chuqqim") refer to decrees or prescribed tasks, while "ordinances" (Hebrew: "mishpatim") are judgments or legal decisions. Together, they encompass the full scope of God's instructions, emphasizing that the Israelites are to live by divine guidance, not merely human wisdom. You must not commit any of these abominations
The term "abominations" (Hebrew: "to'evah") refers to practices that are detestable or loathsome to God. In the context of Leviticus 18, these abominations include various sexual sins and idolatrous practices that were common among the surrounding nations. The use of "must not commit" is a strong prohibition, indicating that these actions are not just discouraged but strictly forbidden. This highlights the call for holiness and separation from the sinful customs of other cultures. the native-born or the foreigner who lives among you
This phrase indicates that God's laws were not only for the Israelites but also for any foreigners residing among them. The "native-born" (Hebrew: "ezrach") refers to those who are naturally part of the Israelite community, while the "foreigner" (Hebrew: "ger") denotes a sojourner or resident alien. This inclusivity demonstrates that God's moral standards are universal, transcending ethnic and cultural boundaries. It reflects the idea that all who dwell within the community are accountable to the same divine laws, promoting a unified standard of righteousness. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God on Mount Sinai, including the statutes and ordinances mentioned in Leviticus. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were given the laws to set them apart from other nations and to guide them in holy living. 3. ForeignersNon-Israelites living among the Israelites, who were also expected to adhere to God's laws, highlighting the universal moral standards expected by God. 4. CanaanThe land into which the Israelites were entering, where the practices of the surrounding nations were considered abominable by God. 5. GodThe divine lawgiver who establishes moral and ceremonial laws for His people, emphasizing holiness and separation from sinful practices. Teaching Points Holiness and ObedienceGod calls His people to a standard of holiness that requires obedience to His statutes and ordinances. This involves a conscious decision to live differently from the surrounding culture. Universal Moral StandardsThe inclusion of foreigners in the command to avoid abominations indicates that God's moral standards are universal and not limited to a specific ethnic group. Cultural DistinctivenessBelievers are called to be distinct from the world, not adopting practices that are contrary to God's commands, which requires discernment and commitment. Community ResponsibilityThe command applies to both individuals and the community, emphasizing collective responsibility in maintaining holiness and obedience to God. Relevance of Old Testament LawsWhile some ceremonial laws are fulfilled in Christ, the moral principles behind God's statutes remain relevant for guiding Christian conduct today. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the call to holiness in Leviticus 18:26 apply to Christians today, and what are some modern "abominations" we should avoid? 2. In what ways can we ensure that both native-born and "foreigners" (new believers or those from different backgrounds) are encouraged to follow God's standards in our church community? 3. How do the moral laws in Leviticus relate to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to maintain cultural distinctiveness as Christians in a secular society? 5. How can we balance the understanding of Old Testament laws with the freedom we have in Christ, ensuring we uphold God's moral standards without legalism? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20The Ten Commandments, which form the foundation of God's statutes and ordinances, emphasizing moral conduct. Deuteronomy 7Instructions to the Israelites to remain separate from the nations around them to avoid adopting their abominable practices. 1 Peter 1:15-16A call for Christians to be holy in all their conduct, reflecting the holiness of God, similar to the call for holiness in Leviticus. Romans 12:2Encouragement to not conform to the patterns of this world, aligning with the call in Leviticus to avoid the abominations of surrounding nations. Acts 15:20The early church's decision to instruct Gentile believers to abstain from certain practices, reflecting the ongoing relevance of some Old Testament laws. People Israelites, Molech, MosesPlaces Canaan, Egypt, TemanTopics Abominations, Alien, Aliens, Birth, Commit, Decisions, Detestable, Disgusting, Either, Foreigner, Home-born, Israelites, Judgments, Kept, Laws, Midst, Nation, Native, Native-born, None, Observe, Ordinances, Rules, Sojourner, Sojourneth, Sojourning, Sojourns, Statutes, StrangerDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 18:6-30 7525 exclusiveness Leviticus 18:23-30 7348 defilement Leviticus 18:24-28 4208 land, divine responsibility Leviticus 18:25-26 7530 foreigners Leviticus 18:26-30 6103 abomination 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 Links Leviticus 18:26 NIVLeviticus 18:26 NLTLeviticus 18:26 ESVLeviticus 18:26 NASBLeviticus 18:26 KJV
Leviticus 18:26 Commentaries
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