A Work in Progress….

Leviticus 18:14 “ ‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.

Commentary says that this laundry list of people that “one should not have sex with” is generally consistent with the people who would live under the same roof during this time. I think we would all agree that not having sex with anyone under your roof except your spouse is good advice.

Leviticus 18:15 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.

But remember that Leviticus was not written for us. It was written for the ancient Israelites, who had commingled with the Egyptians for 400 years, who were being led to Canaan, and both of those cultures “had drastically different sexual and familial standards” from what God called the Israelites.

Leviticus 18:16 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.

Precious Savior, Again we are dealing with acceptable social constructs. The Egyptians and Canaanites had very different acceptable standards than what You were calling the Israelites to, but Your modern people often use Your words to ostracize and penalize others. Help us all to use Your word as You intended. Help us to love You and love others. Always. Amen.

Leviticus 18:17 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with both a woman and her daughter. Do not have sexual relations with either her son’s daughter or her daughter’s daughter; they are her close relatives. That is wickedness.

Have a blessed day.

Leviticus 18:6 “ ‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the Lord.

What comes to mind as I read today’s scripture is the idea of social constructs, defined by Merriam-Webster as “an idea, concept, or category that exists not by any inherent truth or biological necessity, but because a society collectively agrees and accepts that it exists through shared human interaction.”

Leviticus 18:7 “ ‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.

I’m pretty sure most everyone who reads today’s scripture will agree with these social constructs, so there would be no dissent. That’s not always the case, leading us to strife.

Leviticus 18:8 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.

Precious Savior, Help us to be cognizant of social constructs and personal biases that separate us from You and Your people. Help us to choose to love You and love others instead of choosing division and hate.

Leviticus 18:9 “ ‘Do not have sexual relations with your sister, either your father’s daughter or your mother’s daughter, whether she was born in the same home or elsewhere.

Have a blessed day. 

Leviticus 18:1-2 The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God.

I can already tell you that this entire chapter is one that I want to skip because it is often used (in both commentary and in life) as a weapon and not a guide. I think using God’s word as a weapon is always dangerous.

Leviticus 18:3 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices.

Because the Israelites had been in captivity in Egypt for 400 years and Egyptian customs were very different, God wanted to reiterate to the Israelites what was acceptable to Him. That is the purpose of all the rules in Leviticus.

Leviticus 18:4 You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God.

Precious Savior, It is so easy to use Your word as a weapon instead of a tool of instruction. That is not what You intended nor what You want for us. Help us to use Your word to draw closer to You, to understand You more and better, not to draw dividing lines between us and our fellow human beings. Help us to love You and love others as You call us to love. Help us, Jesus. Amen.

Leviticus 18:5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.

Have a blessed day.

Leviticus 17:6 The priest is to splash the blood against the altar of the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting and burn the fat as an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

The mention of “an aroma pleasing to the Lord” puts me in mind of the expression “Your attitude stinks.” I have seen and been guilty of stinky attitudes, and it can be quite painful to witness.

Leviticus 17:7 They must no longer offer any of their sacrifices to the goat idols to whom they prostitute themselves. This is to be a lasting ordinance for them and for the generations to come.’

And one thing that I have found in more recent years is that there is always something to be thankful for. I’m not talking about toxic positivity. I’m talking about genuine gratitude and praise for the gifts and blessings that are present, even with the troubles.

Leviticus 17:8-9 “Say to them: ‘Any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice and does not bring it to the entrance to the tent of meeting to sacrifice it to the Lord must be cut off from the people of Israel.

Precious Savior, I am sorry for the many, many, many times I have chosen griping over praise. Thank You that my default is shifting towards praise. Help me to see You, see Your gifts and blessings, to praise You, even in the hardships. Amen,

Leviticus 17:10 “ ‘I will set my face against any Israelite or any foreigner residing among them who eats blood, and I will cut them off from the people.

Have a blessed day.