God’s View of Sexual Immorality (Leviticus 18:1-30)

 Suppose I ask you a very simple question: What is sexual immorality? I think the answer would probably depend on who was answering the question. What I mean by the question is, what all would you include under the category of sexual immorality in our day? The further we've gotten away from the Bible, the more that definition gets changed. So, I would like to ask: What does God say is sexual immorality? What would His list look like? Actually, Western civilization is built on His list, more so than perhaps any other. What I'd like for us to do is look at His list.Let's consider what sexual immorality means but remember that the definition can vary depending on who you ask. As we move further away from biblical principles, this definition tends to change.

Starting from this chapter, the focus shifts to personal moral purity. God emphasizes the importance of holy behaviour and character, not just ritual cleanliness. Leviticus 18 lays the foundation for principles of social morality, particularly regarding sexual immorality.

It's important to note that this chapter deals with explicit sexual content, so listener discretion is advised. This is because this chapter not only gives prohibitions against certain sexual practices but also promotes that view of sexual purity in contrast to the sexual impurity practiced in surrounding pagan cultures around them. Some of these prohibitions are meant to counter what was common in places like Canaan, where the Israelites were heading.

The chapter comprises an introduction (verses 1-5), then follows a long list of sexual prohibitions (the main portion of the chapter, and a conclusion. 

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘I am the Lord your God. You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them will live by them. I am the Lord.

(Lev 18: 1-5)

This introduction emphasizes that God, as the Lord, sets the standard for morality. God wants the Israelites to follow His moral code and not adopt the practices of Egypt or Canaan. The repeated phrase "I am the Lord" underscores that these laws are based on His authority and guidance. 

By following these statutes and judgments, the Israelites will experience life as God intended. This chapter will emphasize the need to be distinct from the surrounding nations, emphasizing holiness and obedience to God's standards. The motivation for all this is to maintain a unique relationship with God, not to conform to the world's immorality. It aligns with the New Testament's call to be set apart and not to conform to worldly standards. So, there's much more to this chapter than just sexual prohibitions; it's about maintaining a distinctive relationship with God and rejecting the immoral and religious practices of the surrounding cultures.

The motivation behind these laws is clear: The claim being made by God through them is that it will lead to a better life. Obedience to God's laws ensures a happy and fulfilling life for His people. For example, the marital and sexual restrictions in this passage contribute to stable and happy family life. These laws are not meant to restrict but to provide a path to a joyful and fulfilled life to the widest possible number of people within the community. The idea of violating these laws results in the wages of sin, which, in this case, could mean the death of a marriage and family life at a time when woman and children would have been offered little protection and that is the principle that I believe the opening 5 verses are meant to establish.

Starting from verse six, through to twenty-three, the passage lists various forms of sexual immorality. Throughout this section there are various prohibition about abstaining from sexual relations within the family. Here, it forbids sexual relations with close relatives, referring to what today we call incest. However, the passage serves a broader purpose than merely prohibiting sexual acts. It aims to protect marriage and society. The primary focus is on forbidding illicit marriages and preventing adultery. It also implies a second tier of prohibitions against marrying non-Israelites, with an exception for those who convert to Judaism, as seen in the story of Ruth.

In this large middle section of the chapter Moses proceeds to outline 12 different situations. The initial prohibition in verse six appears to apply to all blood relationships, prohibiting sexual relations with close family member or kinsmen. 

Now, let me share an interesting exception to these rules. It's found in Deuteronomy chapter 25 where a scenario is offered: If a brother dies without leaving any children, then the Mosaic law requires the surviving brother to marry his widow. This is to ensure that my brother's family name continues and has an heir. In this unique situation, marriage in this way was not forbidden. This practice also highlights the great importance of having children in ancient times. Children served as heirs to family property and provided support to parents in their old age, especially in a time when pensions and welfare services didn't exist. So, having children was crucial, and if my brother left his widow without children, it was the brother duty to have children with her, to protect her from poverty and vulnerability in old age.

Now, moving on to verse 17, once again, the verses emphasize the importance of avoiding sexual relations with close family and it forbids sexual involvement with a woman, her daughter, or her granddaughter. In other words, this applies to stepdaughters or step-granddaughters. The text labels such behaviour as wickedness. The next verse adds an intriguing dimension: "Nor should you take a woman as a rival to her sister to uncover her nakedness while the other is alive." This verse is often interpreted as a prohibition against polygamy. It essentially states that a man should not marry a woman's sister for any other reason than her being a widow because then his intent was to have multiple wives at the same time.  Various translations convey this idea, translating this phrases as "rival wife" or "rival to her sister." The early Jewish Qumran community interpreted it as a prohibition against polygamy. 

Moving on to verse 19, which states, "You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness as long as she is in her customary," the reference here is to a woman's menstrual cycle. Refer back to my teaching on Lev 16 when I talked about the fact that woman then would have very limited time having periods as the lack of contraception meant that they would spent most of the fertile period of their adult lives either pregnant or weaning and this prohibition would given them a period free of sexual activity between children. Verse 20 brings us to the topic of adultery. Adultery in the Old Testament is defined as sexual relations between a married or betrothed woman and a man who is not her husband.

In this context, it is adultery if the woman is married. It does not include sexual relations between a married man and an unmarried woman. Scholars differentiate between the two scenarios based on the severity of the penalties described at the end of this chapter. Adultery incurs a more severe penalty, whereas sexual relations between a married man and a single woman result in a different, less severe penalty, such as paying the woman's father.

Next, we encounter the prohibition against prostitution in verse 21. The verse reads, "

And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God. I am the Lord."

(Lev 18:21)

This verse is somewhat enigmatic, so I want to try and unpack it a little. This is about forbidding human sacrifice, particularly the practice of sacrificing children to the pagan god Molech. Molech was an Amorite deity, and his worship often involved human sacrifice. In pagan religious ritual of that time  there was an opening at the back of a bronze idol of Molech, where a fire was lit. Parents were required to place their firstborn child into the white-hot, outstretched arms of the idol. Drums were beaten to drown out the cries of the baby as it perished in the arms of Molech. These is also probably an additional interpretation of this verse 21 arises: it may be prohibiting religious prostitution. This was also common among pagans, and the worshippers of Molech who practiced temple prostitution. As part of their religious service, individuals would visit the temple and engage in sexual relations with temple prostitutes as part of their religious rituals. Some argue that verse 21 is also addressing the dedication of children for training as temple prostitutes. So, you have a choice between these interpretations, one or the other, or as I believe probably both.

We have seen prohibitions regarding incest, adultery, and sexual immorality. The next issue, described in verse 22, is homosexuality. It explicitly states,

"You shall not lie with a man as with a woman; it is an abomination."

(Lev 18: 22)

So, we see here Homosexuality under the Levitical law is unequivocally forbidden. Verse 23 takes us into the realm of bestiality.  Again, the Levitical law saw this type of behaviour is unequivocally forbidden.

In conclusion, the passage emphasizes several important points. God's commandments regarding sexual conduct are rooted in His character, and they serve as a guide for maintaining purity and moral standards. The Canaanites, who already inhabited this land practiced sexual immorality and idolatry, served as examples of moral degradation brought about by idolatry. The passage begins by listing various sexual prohibitions, making it clear that all sexual activities outside of marriage between one man and one woman are considered wrong in the sight of God. Throughout the message, there is a strong emphasis on not adopting the practices of the nations inhabiting Canaan before the Israelites.

Verse 30 underscores the importance of adhering to God's ordinances and refraining from defiling oneself. The chapter concludes by reiterating the significance of God's character and His role as the Lord of Israel. The repetition of the phrase "I am the Lord your God" throughout the passage serves as a reminder of the divine authority behind these commandments. Overall, this passage addresses the importance of maintaining sexual purity, abiding by God's moral standards, and not adopting the practices of idolatrous nations around them. It underscores the significance of theology in shaping a person's morality and highlights the severe consequences of moral degradation.

So, to wind this up, let me make just a couple of very simple observations. 

1: This chapter is about sexual morality, but it's also about marriage. 

As I said at the beginning, it's bigger than these sexual sins; it's about marriage. The first six verses states the general principle: marriage with a close relative is prohibited—whether mother, stepmother, sister, half-sister, granddaughter, daughter of a stepmother, or an uncle. Interesting that modern medicine confirms that in marriages of blood relatives, is dangerous it can lead to physical or mental often magnified minor flawed characteristics of one or both parents. in the children. The prohibition extends to in-laws and other relatives as well. So, it's beyond just these sexual sins called incest; it's widens it against all types of sexual sins.

So, one great lesson implied here is that we need to protect the family. We need to prohibit these sorts of sexual activities to protect the family, which in turn will protects society, or to say that same thing another way: if you practice all kinds of sexual immorality, what's going to happen? Just exactly what's happening in the 21st century, the breakdown of the family. And when you break down the family, what's next? The society follows.  This is as foundational and as fundamental as it gets. God knows what he's doing

One more observation: where does all this lead? I hope you agree that you and I am not under the Levitical law, right? Right.  So, I don't have to obey all this, in order to be saved? That's correct. I don't have to obey this; it's Mosaic law. I'm not in the law; I'm not under the law of Moses.   So, how does this apply to us? 

Real simple: the New Testament forbids all of this also.  It forbids incest (1 Corinthians 5), adultery (Romans 13:9), idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:7), homosexuality (Romans 1, 1 Corinthians 6:9).  So, you can't wiggle out of this by saying you're not under the Mosaic law. I agree, you're not. But the New Testament repeats nine of the 10 commandments. The only one that doesn't repeat is 'keep the Sabbath day holy.'

Summary.

Leviticus chapter 18 outlines a set of moral and ethical guidelines, often referred to as the holiness code. From a positive New Testament perspective, this chapter encourages believers to live a life of holiness and purity. It emphasizes the importance of sexual morality, respecting the boundaries of family relationships, and avoiding sinful behaviours.

In the New Testament, these principles are seen to align seamlessly with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. As Christian believers are called to live a life of moral integrity, honour the sanctity of marriage, and abstain from sexual immorality. The apostle Paul, for instance, stresses the significance of honouring one's body as a temple of the Holy Spirit and living in a manner that pleases God.

Leviticus 18, when viewed in the light of the New Testament, serves as a reminder of the timeless importance of living a holy and righteous life, guided by the principles of love, purity, and respect for others. It encourages believers to embrace these principles and integrate them into their Christian walk and by doing that we put a protective hedge around ourselves, our families, our wider communities, and our nation. And we should never be ashamed of that.