19:1,2
We now come to various laws, and these are directed at the whole assembly of Israel. The rules are often given in the form of specific examples, but general principles can be drawn from the examples as well. The overall general principle is “be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy”. This principle still applies to us today (1 Pet 1:16). We are called to be like God. We are not called to be like the world. We were created in the image of God, and our salvation involves the restoration of that image.
19:3
Some of the rules repeat or apply some of the ten commandments, though there is not a systematic attempt to do this. We are to respect our mother and father, and to observe the Sabbath. Why? Because “I am the Lord your God”. These laws, amongst other things, demonstrate a recognition that we are ultimately dependent upon God. Why the linking of honouring our parents and observing the Sabbath? Most immediately, it was our parents who brought us into the world and who brought us up. Without them we would not be here. Without God we would not be here.
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