Leviticus
18-22 bring a whole series of ‘holiness laws’, applied to different situations,
beginning with unlawful sexual relations. Most of these laws are fairly
uncontentious to us: sex with close relations or in-laws (v6-20) or with
animals (v23) is forbidden; as is child sacrifice (v21). The issue of why
practising homosexuality (v22) is wrong is far less obvious to our culture.
What’s
important to note is why the Lord
sets out these rules. “You must not do as they do in Egypt
… and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan Hollywood
There’s
even a warning about what would happen if God’s people did blend in too much -
they would defile the land, and suffer the consequences (v28), as others had
before them. Sadly, God’s people didn’t heed the warning then. Sexual sin still
has consequences for us (“All other sins a person commits are outside the body,
but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body”) so the NT urges us to
“flee from sexual immorality” (1 Cor 6.18). Are you following the culture, or
fleeing it?
Pray for
yourself in this area, and for others you know who struggle with this teaching.
(member of ordained
staff)