Leviticus 19:1-4, 9-18
The words before us were spoken by God to Moses during the interim between the setting up of the tabernacle (Ex. 40:17) and the departure of the children of Israel from Sinai (Num. 10:11). In the fifty days between the completion of the tabernacle and the departure of Israel from Sinai, God issued instruction to Moses more than forty times. God’s instruction in Leviticus 19 deals with the manner in which His people were to conduct themselves once they took possession of the promised land.
“Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” (v. 2). New Testament believers are instructed to be holy in all manner of conversation because God is holy (see I Pet. 1:15-16). In the text before us, God links His holiness to the manner in which His people are to conduct themselves in everyday affairs. The manner of conversation is the manner in which a man expresses himself in everyday dealings with others.
The Lord makes it known that His people are to honor one’s mother and father; and to honor the “Lord your God” by keeping His sabbaths (v. 3). In verse 4, the Lord forbids His people from giving homage to idols (false gods) or from making molten gods (images to be worshipped). Being holy as God is holy requires one to do as God commands. It is God’s command that His people honor the Lord God alone.
Verse 9 deals with gathering the harvest. The manner in which harvests were gathered three thousand-plus years ago was much different from modern day methods, but God’s instruction to ancient Israel has application in the affairs of men today. When the fields were harvested and the grapes of the vineyard were gathered, not all grain and not all grapes were to be collected. A portion was to be left in the field and in the vineyard for the poor and for the stranger. The purpose of leaving the grain unreaped and the grapes unpicked was to provide for individuals who lacked resources to satisfy their needs. God did not instruct the owners of the fields and vineyards to give of the produce that their workers had gathered. God instructed the owners to make it possible for the poor and the stranger to help themselves. The poor and the stranger were not given a handout; they were given a means by which they could help themselves. The holy God who said: “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy” requires His people to make a provision for the needy such that they can help themselves. That instruction was given to Israel, but God’s standard of holiness remains unchanged. Provision for the poor of today has fallen upon the government of men. If governments were to follow God’s instruction to Israel, aid to the poor would focus upon helping the poor help themselves.
God requires New Testament believers to love one another as He loves us (Jn. 15:12). The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob instructs us to make it possible for those, who have not, to partake in that which He has given to us. His love is to be shared with all who will receive it.
In verse 10, the Lord states why Israel is (and New Testament believers are) to do as He has commanded: “I am the Lord your God.” God’s people are to exhibit the love, care, and mercy of God.
In verses 11 and 12, God specifies the manner in which His people are to be known. His people are to be known by their honesty and by the manner in which they uphold His name. Their conduct, in dealing with their equals, was to be such that an observer outside the camp of Israel would look upon their honest dealings and attribute them to the God which they served. It is God’s intent that the world should know Him through His people.
In verses 13 and 14, God’s instruction turns to the conduct of individuals who enjoy a position which would enable them to victimize others. Neighbors, hirelings and the handicapped, are specifically listed. God forbids His people from engaging in any practice which defrauds, inconveniences or puts others in harm’s way. God says: “… fear thy God: I am Lord.” All who would victimize others will find that they must face God’s judgment. In some instances it is possible to unintentionally place a stumbling block before the blind or to accidentally trade something of low value for that which is of great worth with no intent to defraud. Such happenings do not reflect the holiness of God. Thoughtfulness and diligence are part of the holiness of God.
One is to judge his neighbor in righteousness (v. 15). One is to judge as God judges. God is neither a respecter of the poor or an honorer of the rich.
God’s standard for regarding one’s neighbor is spelled out in verses 16-18 and closes with the phrase: “I am the Lord.” God holds His people to a standard uncommon to the world because He is God. He is holy and His people must be holy as He is holy. His holiness extends beyond refraining from harmful acts. His holiness requires His people to reach out and to love their neighbor as thyself.
This instruction was given for the future time in which Israel should possess the land. For New Testament believers the future is now. Let us love one another and deliver the gospel message to all people.
