Leviticus Study Notes - Chapter 18 (Sexual Laws)

Purpose: To differentiate Israel from surrounding nations

Only by following the dictates of this book could Israel be the special people of God and accomplish the purpose for which God created them

This chapter spells out some of the most significant restrictions placed on them (vs. 6-24)

Consequences of Israel not obeying these commandments is spelled out in verses 25, 28-30

Verses 1-5: Idolatry and its effect on Israel
Six times "I am the Lord" appears in this chapter (vs. 2, 4, 5, 6, 21, 30). Shows these are God's commands

There's always temptation to imitate neighbors and to blend in with them. Being "different" was probably an issue then like it is today
People desire acceptance and too often we go to great lengths to receive it, even ignoring God

Ezra, 10 centuries later, discovered the extend of Israel's refusal to reject wrong of the Canaanites through the years (Ezra 9:1-2)
Romans 12:2 tells us the same thing today

Verses 6-18: Restrictions on marriage
The term "uncover the nakedness" is a metaphor to describe having sex
Verse 18 adds, "nor shall you take a woman" or "neither shalt thou take a wife to her sister," stressing that that marriage would be forbidden

Speaking of that verse, ASV..."shall not take a wife to her sister to be a rival to her in her lifetime." Is this referring to Levirate marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5)? Does it matter? God said one man/one woman

Verses 19-24: Five prohibitions regarding defilement of sex between husband and wife
1. During her "uncleanness" whether menstrual or after she gives birth
2. Having an affair (verse 20). Death penalty as shown in Exodus 20:14. Remember John 8 when the Pharisees tried to put Jesus on the spot
3. Verse 21 touches on idolatry again. Child sacrifice to Molech. He's mentioned five times in Leviticus; here, 20:2, 3, 4, 5.
Human sacrifice eventually made its way into Israel (1 Kings 11, 2 Kings 23, Jeremiah 32, Ezekiel 23:36-39)
4. Homosexualty, "abomination" from toebah, meaning "a disgusting thing, abominable." Ritually unclean and ethically wicked
Abomination or abominable are used 5 times in this chapter out of the 112 times used in the Old Testament
5. Beastiality practiced by Canaanites

Chapter 20 discusses penalties for behavior forbidden by God. Penalty for this is death. Exodus 22 and Deuteronomy 27 give additional information about the attitude of God about this

Verse 28: "the land vomit you out" spew