Old Testament: Leviticus 20 & 21
Poetry: Psalm 41
(This is the last psalm of Book 1. Tomorrow we will begin Job, and then return to Psalms Book 2 when we have finished reading Job.)
New Testament: Acts 14
After receiving instructions from Moses in Leviticus 18 and 19, instructions about how to live a holy life continue in Leviticus 20 and 21. Not only are the children of Israel warned and instructed about sexual sins and moral conduct, then a law of consequence is set forth to them. The penalty for killing babies, consulting familiar spirits (devil spirits, mediums, wizards and such like) and sexual sins is death! The death penalty was necessary because the blood offerings of animals can not cover for these sins. God has been very generous with his chosen people in communicating these consequences. Wanting to please Almighty God and live a holy life requires submission to his ways and his justice. So what does one do when the laws of land permit such abominations and atrocities?
In Leviticus 20:4-5: “And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he gives of his seed (offspring) unto Molech, and kill him not; then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all that go a whoring after him, to commit whoredom after him, to commit whoredom with Molech, from among the people.” It is not good to be cut off from God and his precious covenants. It is not good to have God’s face set against you. We are not to just shut our eyes to these kinds of sins. The people of Ammon had a god named Molech whom they worshipped by sacrificing their children. Apparently, this way of sacrificing children, killing your own offspring was after the doings of the land. The penalty for this kind of sin and also the ignoring of the sin by the people has serious consequences. Eternal life for some is on the line.
Only because of Jesus Christ and his holy sacrifice could these sexual sins and moral sins be forgiven. Acts 13:38-39: “Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Now’s the time to preach forgiveness of these sins and to draw men to Christ. If they do not submit to God’s way of redemption, they most surely will die from these sins and perish forever. For it is written in Revelations 21:8: “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
It is important that we take a stand and teach people how to draw to a Holy God. It’s also important for us to instruct those who oppose themselves. “God would have all men saved and come unto a (full) knowledge of the truth.”(1 Timothy 2:4).Now is the time to plead with people and invite them to know the only true God so they can see his love and why he knows what is best for mankind. If we can show people that God loves them and sent his son so they could be forgiven of these types of sins because of Jesus Christ, then at least they will have a choice. That is the real pro-choice issue. Many do not understand, because they have not been shown God’s love. We are here to be that love and to give them the real choice.
-Cindy Abbott
Reflection Questions
Is there someone you could help to see the error of their way by loving them enough to show them the truth?
Have you ever hidden your eyes from someone committing these sins, instead of lovingly imploring them with true knowledge of life and death decisions?
In what ways do you pray and ask for strength to “withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Eph 6:13)?
Seek Grow Love 