◄ Leviticus 18:3 ►
You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs.
Study Bible
You must not follow
The Hebrew root for "follow" is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to do, make, or act. This command is a direct instruction from God, emphasizing the importance of obedience and the active choice to reject certain behaviors. In the context of ancient Israel, this was a call to holiness and separation from the surrounding nations. The Israelites were to be distinct, reflecting God's character rather than conforming to the world around them.

the practices of the land of Egypt
The term "practices" comes from the Hebrew "מַעֲשֶׂה" (ma'aseh), referring to deeds or actions. Egypt, where the Israelites had lived for centuries, was known for its idolatry and moral corruption. Historically, Egypt was a powerful and influential civilization, but its religious and cultural practices were contrary to the ways of Yahweh. This phrase serves as a reminder of the past bondage and the spiritual darkness from which God had delivered His people.

where you used to live
This phrase highlights the Israelites' past residency in Egypt, a place of both physical and spiritual bondage. It serves as a reminder of their former life and the transformation God intended for them. Theologically, it underscores the concept of redemption and the call to leave behind the old life of sin and embrace a new identity in God.

or follow the practices of the land of Canaan
Canaan was the land promised to the Israelites, yet it was inhabited by nations with detestable practices, including idolatry and immorality. The Hebrew word for "practices" here is the same as before, "מַעֲשֶׂה" (ma'aseh). This warning is prophetic, as God knew the temptations that lay ahead. The Canaanites' practices were an abomination to God, and Israel was to avoid them to maintain purity and fulfill their covenant relationship with Him.

to which I am bringing you
This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty and His active role in guiding His people. The journey to Canaan was not just a physical relocation but a spiritual pilgrimage. It was a journey towards the fulfillment of God's promises. Historically, this reflects the transition from slavery to freedom, from a pagan environment to a land where they could worship Yahweh freely.

You must not walk in their customs
The Hebrew word for "walk" is "הָלַךְ" (halak), which means to go, walk, or live. This metaphorical use of "walk" implies a way of life or conduct. "Customs" comes from the Hebrew "חֻקָּה" (chuqqah), meaning statutes or ordinances. This command is a call to live according to God's laws rather than adopting the cultural norms of surrounding nations. It is a timeless principle for God's people to be in the world but not of it, maintaining a distinct identity rooted in divine truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Egypt
The land where the Israelites were enslaved for 400 years. It represents a place of bondage and idolatry.

2. Canaan
The Promised Land, which was inhabited by various pagan nations with practices contrary to God's commands.

3. Israelites
God's chosen people, who are being instructed to live according to His statutes and not adopt the customs of surrounding nations.

4. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, through whom God delivered these laws and instructions.

5. God's Covenant
The divine agreement between God and the Israelites, emphasizing holiness and separation from pagan practices.
Teaching Points
Holiness and Separation
God calls His people to be distinct and separate from the world. This involves rejecting practices and customs that are contrary to His commands.

Cultural Influence
Believers must be vigilant about the influence of surrounding cultures and ensure that their values and practices align with God's Word rather than societal norms.

Obedience to God
True obedience involves not only following God's commands but also actively rejecting practices that lead us away from Him.

Identity in God
Our identity as God's people should shape our actions and decisions, distinguishing us from those who do not follow Him.

Continuous Vigilance
Just as the Israelites were warned about the practices of Egypt and Canaan, Christians today must remain vigilant against adopting secular or ungodly practices.
Bible Study Questions
1. What specific practices from Egypt and Canaan might have been tempting for the Israelites to adopt, and why?

2. How can we identify and resist cultural practices today that are contrary to God's commands?

3. In what ways does Romans 12:2 reinforce the message of Leviticus 18:3 for Christians today?

4. How does understanding our identity in Christ help us to live distinctively in a secular world?

5. What steps can we take to ensure that our lives reflect God's holiness and not the customs of the world around us?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:2-3
The Ten Commandments begin with a reminder of God's deliverance from Egypt, emphasizing the need to worship Him alone and reject idolatry.

Deuteronomy 12:30-31
Warns against being ensnared by the practices of the nations in Canaan, highlighting the importance of not adopting their detestable customs.

Romans 12:2
Encourages believers not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, aligning with the call to reject worldly customs.

1 Peter 1:14-16
Calls Christians to be holy in all their conduct, echoing the call to be distinct from the surrounding culture.
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
Behaviour, Bring, Bringing, Canaan, Customs, Doings, Dwelt, Egypt, Follow, Guided, Ordinances, Practices, Rules, Statutes, Taking, Walk, Wherein, Whither
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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