Leviticus 18:1-30 - Do not follow their practices

18:1-30

Thus far the emphasis has been on the priesthood, with the previous chapter extending this to all Isrealites. Here the commands are specifically given to the Israelites, without any mention of the priests. They apply to everyone. The rules in this chapter relate to various sorts of sexual behaviour, most of them applying to incestuous relationships of various sorts, but with 18:19-23 considering various other sexual unions. Of course, there is one verse, 18:22, that upsets so many people. This is the rule prohibiting homosexual acts. The Bible is clear that homosexual acts are prohibited, and any attempts to prove otherwise are futile. If you want to delve deeper into the arguments about this I would refer you to the works of James White, Michael Brown and Sam Alberry.

The beginning of the chapter contains the vital command “Do not follow their practice”. “Their” is referring to the Egyptians and the Canannites, who did indulge in the practices mentioned in this chapter. The church today is utterly foolish when it seems to think it a good idea to follow the sexual standards of the world. To do this is complete madness. We should keep the decrees of our God, “for the person who obeys them will live by them”. God’s decrees bring life, the world’s ways bring death.

Many of the commands mention bringing dishonour. The world’s sexual ways dishonour humanity, they lead to exploitation, and where they are “concensual” they dishonour those involved. God’s ways dignify humanity and our bodies.

Some civilisations, in particular the Hittites, had rules against incest. The Biblical rules broaden these, but the form of the Biblical rules is influenced by the cultural situation. 

Sacrificing of children was strictly prohibited (18:21). We might think this obvious, but just consider the attitude of our societies to abortion. It is now considered an absolute right, and to do anything to restrict it is considered “immoral”. Abortion is now not so much seen as a necessary evil, but as something to be celebrated. This seems to be particularly the case in America.

Some of the laws in the pentateuch were peculiar to Israel, at least in their particular application. However, these laws apply to all peoples. As 18:27 says, the Egyptians and the Canaanites did these things and so defiled the land.