◄ Leviticus 20:1 ►
Then the LORD said to Moses,
Study Bible
Then
The word "Then" serves as a connective term, indicating a continuation or sequence of events. In the context of Leviticus, it suggests a progression in the divine instructions given to Moses. This word underscores the ongoing revelation of God's law to His people, emphasizing the importance of each command as part of a larger, divinely orchestrated plan. It reminds us that God's instructions are timely and purposeful, fitting into His broader narrative for Israel.

the LORD
The term "the LORD" is translated from the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God. This name is deeply significant, representing God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with Israel. It is a reminder of God's holiness, sovereignty, and faithfulness. In a conservative Christian perspective, this name evokes reverence and awe, calling believers to recognize the authority and majesty of God as He communicates His will.

said
The word "said" indicates direct communication from God to Moses. In Hebrew, the verb "amar" is used, which conveys not just speaking but also the authoritative declaration of God's will. This highlights the importance of the message being delivered. It is a reminder that God's words are not mere suggestions but commands that carry divine authority and require obedience.

to Moses
Moses is the chosen leader and prophet through whom God delivers His laws to the Israelites. His role as a mediator between God and the people is crucial. Historically, Moses is seen as a faithful servant who receives and transmits God's commandments. This phrase underscores the importance of leadership and obedience in the community of faith. Moses' example inspires believers to listen for God's voice and to act as conduits of His truth in the world.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant-keeping God of Israel, who is holy and righteous, giving laws to His people to set them apart from other nations.

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 to live by as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
God's Holiness and Authority
God is the ultimate authority and His commands are to be obeyed. His holiness demands that His people live according to His standards.

The Role of Leadership
Moses, as a leader, is responsible for communicating God's laws. Spiritual leaders today have a similar responsibility to teach and uphold God's Word.

The Call to Holiness
Just as the Israelites were called to be distinct from other nations, Christians are called to live lives that reflect God's holiness and righteousness.

The Seriousness of Sin
The laws in Leviticus 20 highlight the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and obedience to God’s commands.

Community Responsibility
The community of believers is responsible for upholding God's standards and encouraging one another in faithfulness and obedience.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's holiness influence the way we live our daily lives?

2. In what ways can we, like Moses, effectively communicate God's truth to those around us?

3. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that we are living lives that are set apart for God?

4. How can we support and hold each other accountable within our Christian communities to uphold God's standards?

5. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between following God's commands and conforming to societal norms. What did you learn from that experience?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20
The giving of the Ten Commandments, which sets the foundation for the laws in Leviticus, emphasizing God's holiness and the call for His people to be holy.

Deuteronomy 18
Discusses the abominations of the nations, similar to the prohibitions in Leviticus 20, highlighting the need for Israel to remain distinct and pure.

1 Peter 1
Peter calls believers to be holy as God is holy, echoing the call in Leviticus for God's people to live set apart lives.
Sermons
Human SacrificesR.M. Edgar Leviticus 20:1-5
Sin At its WorstW. Clarkson Leviticus 20:1-5
Punishments Assigned to Presumptuous SinsR.A. Redford Leviticus 20:1-27
Sin unto DeathJ.A. Macdonald Leviticus 20:1-27
People
Molech, Moses
Places
Teman
Topics
Saying, Spake, Speaketh, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Leviticus 20:1-2

     5277   criminals
     5557   stoning

Leviticus 20:1-3

     5896   irreverence
     8273   holiness, ethical aspects

Leviticus 20:1-5

     7206   community
     8471   respect, for human beings
     8807   profanity

Leviticus 20:1-6

     8705   apostasy, in OT

Leviticus 20:1-17

     6026   sin, judgment on

Library
Tenth Day. Holiness and Separation.
I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. And ye shall be holy unto me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from other people that ye should be Mine.'--Lev. xx. 24, 26. 'Until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy.... All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.'--Num. vi. 5, 8. 'Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Seventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Self-Denial.
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."--Matt. xvi. 24. Good works are not the saint's sanctification, any more than drops of water are the fountain; but they spring as crystal drops from the fountain of sanctification. They are good, not when the saint intends them to be good, but when they conform to the divine law and proceed from a true faith. Yet the intention is of great importance; the Church has always taught that a work could not be called …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

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

Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
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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