Leviticus 18 is uncomfortable reading with the mention of all kinds of sexual perversion.

Why are all these perversions listed? "This is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled" (Leviticus 18:24). God spoke about these perversions because they were common in the world around the Israelites. The Israelites knew people who acted this way. 

These perversions had consequences: “The land has become unclean. I will punish it for its sins. The land will vomit out those who live in it” (Leviticus 18:25 God’s Word Translation). Forty years later, the Israelites invaded the land and put the Canaanites to death.

I am the LORD your God. Ten times this phrase is repeated in this reading. This is the gospel in the midst of all these laws. The LORD is the Savior God’s name. We are his, not because we chose him, but because he chose us. He is our God, the God who will do amazing things to rescue us.

Today’s application: We too live in a land in which sexual perversion, actual and virtual, is common. Let us read Leviticus 18 searching our own hearts—how have some of these perversions become part of our lives? Have we “enjoyed” these perversions vicariously through the entertainment we watch? Let us repent lest the LORD vomit us out. 

Leviticus 19 provides another challenge. Which laws apply to us?

• Some laws in the Old Testament are ceremonial or worship laws like yesterday’s lesson about the Day of Atonement and not eating blood. They are a picture or shadow (Colossians 2:16-17) of what Jesus would do for us.
• Some laws are civil laws, similar to what our state legislature might enact, for example punishments for various crimes.
• Some laws are moral laws that still apply to us.

How do we know which are the moral laws that still apply to us? There are two “tests”:

• Does God apply this law to nations other than Israel? In Leviticus 18, we see that the LORD our God is coming in judgment on the heathen nations for breaking laws governing sexual relations. They apply to all people. They apply to us.
• Does God repeat these laws in the New Testament? The Ten Commandments and applications of the command to love our neighbor as ourselves (Leviticus 19) are repeated in the New Testament (See Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount or Romans 13:8-10). They apply to us.

What about tattoos? (Leviticus 19:28)

The challenge in Leviticus 19 is there is a mixture of moral laws that apply to all people and ceremonial laws. What about Leviticus 19:28? “‘Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.” If I have a tattoo, have I sinned?

This is an opportunity to do some digging. Start by looking at all the English translations of this verse (find them all listed here). Often a paraphrase like The Living Bible provides a commentary on a verse that helps: “You shall not cut yourselves nor put tattoo marks upon yourselves in connection with funeral rites; I am the Lord.”

Next I looked at Bible Hub that has some of the classic commentaries available.

It appears that tattoos had a religious significance associated with idolatry. Forbidding tattoos was part of the command to avoid idolatry.

Here is the heart of the matter—what is in your heart? Why did you get your tattoo? Jesus teaches in our New Testament lesson (Mark 7:1-30) it is what comes out of the heart that makes a person unclean.

These readings can make me question – am I really part of God’s family?

The commands of Leviticus 18 and 19 convict me. Can I claim the LORD as my God? I deserve to be vomited out. In response, the Lord has given us the account of the Syrophoenician woman. She was not an insider, yet the LORD our Savior God had compassion on her.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am not worthy. My sin is so great. But even the crumbs of your grace and mercy are enough. Heal me of my sin. Forgive me. Let me live for you. You are the LORD my God. Amen.