Leviticus 18:1-18 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Leviticus 18:1-18. With a humble heart, see what sticks out to you in this passage. Is there a verse, a phrase, or a lesson you think the Holy Spirit may be highlighting for you in this passage? After you’ve thought about the passage yourself a bit, read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
Leviticus 18:1-18 (NIV)
1 The LORD said to Moses,
2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the LORD your God.
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.
4 You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God.
5 Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. I am the LORD.
6 “‘No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD.
7 “‘Do not dishonor your father by having sexual relations with your mother. She is your mother; do not have relations with her.
8 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; that would dishonor your father.
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.
10 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your son’s daughter or your daughter’s daughter; that would dishonor you.
11 “‘Do not have sexual relations with the daughter of your father’s wife, born to your father; she is your sister.
12 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your father’s sister; she is your father’s close relative.
13 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your mother’s sister, because she is your mother’s close relative.
14 “‘Do not dishonor your father’s brother by approaching his wife to have sexual relations; she is your aunt.
15 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife; do not have relations with her.
16 “‘Do not have sexual relations with your brother’s wife; that would dishonor your brother.
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.
18 “‘Do not take your wife’s sister as a rival wife and have sexual relations with her while your wife is living.
On verses 1-18: God had taken the Israelites out of the land of Egypt, a powerful empire but also an empire with many incestuous practices. God was bringing the Israelites into the land of Canaan, a place with even more incestuous practices. To make it clear that incest was not permissible despite what the Egyptians and Canaanites were practicing, God laid down the laws we find here in Leviticus 18:1-18.
In addition, when you look back at Israel’s history, you’ll find that in those instances when the Israelites engaged in incest, adultery or polygamy, the result was much strife in their relationships. For example:
– contrary to verse 8, Reuben slept with his father’s concubine (Genesis 35:22; 49:3-4)
– contrary to verse 9, Amnon raped his half sister Tamar (2 Samuel 13);
– contrary to verse 15, Judah unwittingly slept with his daughter-in-law Tamar thinking she was a prostitute (Genesis 38);
– contrary to verse 18, Jacob unwittingly took on both Rachel and her sister Leah as wives and the two ended up having a feud for the ages.
While God would still somehow redeem these difficult situations, Leviticus 18:1-18 shows that incest, adultery and polygamy were not part of God’s original plan for human relationships.
What can we learn from this? God sets boundaries for our good. As verse 5 says, “Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them.” God Himself promises that there is life to be found in obeying His commands.
Father, please help me to trust that Your way when it comes to intimacy and relationships is the best way. Please abundantly bless those who obey Your commands, that they would find life and blessing as they do. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
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