Morning Devotion | Lessons From Leviticus RE: Sexual Ethics

I've recently been reading through the OT as an overview, trying to read it widely, not deeply so that I can notice patterns and key themes. I'm currently in Leviticus... which is a slog. But it's reminding me about the importance of holiness.

In Lev. 18 God outlines for Israel some of their sexual ethics. He begins by saying "I am the lord your God, you shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt... you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan. You shall not walk in their statues. You shall follow my rules and keep my statues and walk in them. I am the Lord your God." This struck me.

What if it said to us "you shall not do what is normal in (insert your country here)." Not looking at porn is counter-cultural. Not saying yes to any pleasure we want is counter cultural. Fighting to be pure in our hearts is counter-cultural. Seeking to consider the opposite sex as more than their appearance is counter cultural.

We have been seduced to think sexual relations outside of their proper containers (marriage) are normal, ok, and the way it should be. It's not. Be reminded today the world is selling you millions of lies.

Think about how counter-cultural this word from God to Israel was. In a time period where the abuse, prostitution, owning, and man-handling of women was normal. God steps in and says "none of that for my people". What would He say to us? What has become normal in your culture that God is against?

Fight your sin. Its implications reach further than just you. God is for you, not against you in his rules and laws.

Warmly,

Josh.