God (in today’s Text, verses 6-30 of Leviticus 18) begins with a list of sexual prohibitions! Things not allowed! Oh, how He longs for a holy people, people like unto Himself!

Remember now … after the sad narrative of the Nadab and Abihu Debacle, we have 5 chapters in Leviticus concerning purity … leading up to the great Day of Atonement! And then immediately after that great Day, an even greater number of chapters concerning purity!

God is pure!

Yes … Leviticus 18:6-30 (a lot of Scripture) focuses on sexual purity in what way, you might be asking?

Read with me, its lead-in prohibitions. “None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. 7 The nakedness of thy father, or the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. 8 The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’s nakedness. 9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or daughter of thy mother, whether she be born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover.” Verses 6-9 only, where “uncovering someone’s nakedness” is the beautiful (and modest) King James Version’s way of saying “to have sex.” To “approach” a person that way, sensually. (I do not want to be too blunt. But I must be Biblically accurate at the same time.)

No sex with anyone near of kin! (Except one’s Wife or Husband of course, Marriage being God’s idea in the first place.)

Certainly this included one’s Parent!

Or one’s Sister or Brother!

Paul was appalled when he learned that a man in the Corinthian Church was living (sexually) with his Father’s Wife! Anathema! See 1 Corinthians 5:1-5. This could conceivably have been his Step-Mother, but was still blatant sin in God’s Eyes.

Verse 10 of Leviticus 18 adds Grandchildren to this list. Absolutely prohibited! (One fundamental Bible teacher remarks that this huge part of our chapter merely elaborates on the Seventh Commandment, “Thou shalt not commit adultery!” Exodus 20:14

And on the list grows … “Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s sister: she is thy father’s near kinswoman. 13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother’s sister: for she is thy mother’s near kinswoman. 14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father’s brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. 15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son’s wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.” Verses 12-15

Add your Neighbor’s Wife, too. (Verse 20)

And verse 22 … “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Homosexuality is prohibited, clearly commanded as an abstinence!

To be that intimate with any of these individuals is to live like the heathen! “Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you.” (Verse 24) And transgression here is inviting God’s further expulsion from the Land, the Holy Land! Yes, even the Israelites!

Read how very serious God is regarding these matters. “For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 18:29-30, the Chapter’s end.

“Cut off,” at least expelled from the encampment! Outside the ring of safety!

Wow!

And these rules, these principles, still apply today, folks. Nowhere in the New Testament are they repealed! Adultery and its ramifications are still taboo to the people of God.

In fact, Jesus actually intensified them! “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever LOOKETH on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28, right out of the “heart” of the great Sermon on the Mount!

Sound daunting?

Paul has the answer … “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.” Ephesians 5:25-28

And … “To avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” 1 Corinthians 7:2

And God’s Plan, God’s Will … is always best!

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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