Leviticus 19

Leviticus 19:1-37

Leviticus 19:1-37(c) The Question of Social Morality is Dealt With in Leviticus 19:1-37 The important thought of this chapter is that true religion and morality must be manifested among those with whom we come in contact. The Christian should be easy to live with, that is, under ordinary circumstances. His life should be such that it would convict the wicked, yet be one that shall be admired by them. The great lesson of this chapter is that all true morality is based on religion (cf. Leviticus 19:2; Leviticus 19:4; Leviticus 19:8; Leviticus 19:10-11; Leviticus 19:14). The second table of the commandments rests on the first. As the root of the flower is necessary to its very life, so is religion to morality. The chapter is full of sundry exhortations resembling somewhat the Sermon on the Mount. We are to be obedient to parents because they are in the place of God (Leviticus 19:3). We are to keep God’ s Sabbaths (Leviticus 19:3). This is emphasized because the keeping of the Sabbath is so easily interfered with on account of our pleasures (cf. Amos 8:5). The exhortation concerning idolatry is made necessary because the nations surrounding Israel were permeated with it.

Then, there was the tendency in Israel to worship by sight instead of by faith, just as there is the tendency to worship the material today (cf. 1 John 2:15-17). There is, then, the exhortation not to neglect the Peace Offering (Leviticus 19:5-8). The Peace Offering was the one most frequently offered, consequently the one most likely to be neglected. The offerer was tempted to use the meat in the Peace Offering, food that remained after three days, for himself instead of burning it, and thus he was likely to fall into the sin of seeking to save at the expense of God. Care for the poor is emphasized (Leviticus 19:9-10). Philanthropy and Christianity go together.

Infidelity is not philanthropic. Compassion for the weak is exhibited as a virtue. The survival of the fittest is not a holy doctrine, but a selfish platitude. The child of God must be no tale bearer (Leviticus 19:16); must not carry any hatred or grudge towards a fellowman in his heart (Leviticus 19:17-18; cf. 1 John 2:8-11; 1 John 3:10-18); nor must he mix with the ungodly (Leviticus 19:19; cf. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17). He must avoid false religions, like spiritualism (Leviticus 19:26-31; cf. Leviticus 20:27), and must also show a respect for the aged (Leviticus 19:30-32).