Leviticus 19-21

An Overview of Chapter 19
This chapter starts with a reminder about the requirements for the peace offering, then lists several more laws that guide the Israelites in living holy lives. Here is a simplified list:
- save some for the poor
- don’t make false statements
- be good to your neighbors
- pay your employees in a fair way
- don’t take advantage of the handicapped
- judge fairly
- don’t lie
- don’t bear a grudge
- don’t mix breeds, seed, or material
- don’t eat blood
- don’t dabble in “magic”
- don’t shave your head or beard
- no tattoos
- don’t let your daughters grow up to be prostitutes
- keep the sabbaths
- revere the sanctuary
- honor old people
- love strangers and foreigners
- use accurate measurements and balances

Verse 23 is a reminder that many of the laws will not apply until the Israelites enter the land God had promised them. One such law is the setting aside of produce from new trees for 4 years.

An Overview of Chapter 20
The purpose of this chapter is to lay down the consequences of many of the sins listed in the previous chapters. The purpose for these seemingly harsh consequences is so that the people that God has sanctified (set apart) to be his will be holy and consecrate themselves and so the land God is giving them will not spit them out.

The punishments listed include public stoning, burning, and removing them from the nation.

An Overview of Chapter 21
This chapter contains further rules for the priests (sons of Aaron). They could not approach a dead person unless it was their mother, father, brother, or sister. Priests were only allowed to marry virgins. Handicapped priests were not allowed to serve in the tabernacle, but they were still provided for by the sacrifices.

Reflection
Consider your life, do you consecrate yourself as holy to God?

For Further Study
Law: Matthew 5:17-18, Matthew 22:34-40, Galatians 2:16, Galatians 3:15-29, Ephesians 2:14-16, 1Timothy 1:6-11.