March 11, 2022 - Leviticus 19-21

The song by Sonicflood entitled Holiness, opens with these lyrics, "Holiness, holiness is what I long for, Holiness is what I need, Holiness, holiness is what You, want from me!" Those words would match what the Lord is saying to the people of Israel.

The Lord spoke to Moses saying, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2). Throughout chapters 19 - 21, the Lord challenges the people of God to live out their holiness in a variety of ways. They are to demonstrate holiness by following the commands God had laid down for them. In a more conversational tone, these commands are similar to the ten commandments which the Lord had given the Israelites in Exodus and Deuteronomy.

Their holiness was to be demonstrated through the interactions between neighbors and people they encountered. Their social and ethical decisions were meant to display their devotion to the Lord. The people were to regularly display their desire to be like God by following His commands in their daily activities which included areas such as agriculture, horticulture, and worship.

They were instructed particularly in what was not acceptable practices before a holy God. In 20:7, He reaffirms His command, "Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God." Finally, Moses concludes this section on holiness with the regulations the priests were to follow in their priestly duties.

Believers today are called as well to live and conform themselves to the likeness of Christ. Peter as he instructed those who were facing extreme difficulties stated, "as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy' (1 Peter 1:14-16). Holiness is what He wants from us. Is it what we want as well in our daily activities?