Read Leviticus 19:1-37
What a list! On the whole, these instructions seem wise and beneficial to maintaining a right relationship with God. Just because Jesus came, I don’t think we should overlook God’s desire for his people to be holy. For he says, “You must be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” In the New Testament, 1 Peter 1:15-16 reaffirms this command.
Several times, we read this exclamation, “I AM the LORD your God.” As if God’s message needed emphasis or the people needed to be reminded who was speaking. If God speaks, we certainly want to be listening. Even if the original audience of these words isn’t us directly, we can and should open our ears and our minds to reflect on God’s message.
Many of us can rush past the significance of how God’s “exclamation point” starts with “I AM.” Notice the capital letters? I learned a long time ago in one of my pastor husband’s sermons or Bible teachings that when we see “I AM” in the Bible it signifies and explains God’s sacred name Yahweh. Without getting too deep in theology, in Exodus 3:14, “God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” Or as the footnote suggests it reads, “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.” The capital letters in the text again indicate a rendering of God’s sacred name.
According to “The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible,” the “I AM” statements of Jesus found in John’s Gospel echo this idea of God’s control and supremacy. Jesus identifies himself as God when he uses these words. You may recall a few, there are seven which include:
I am the bread of life: (John 6:35, 48, 51)
I am the light of the world: (John 8:12, 9)
I am the door of the sheep: (John 10:7, 9)
I am the good shepherd: (John 10:11, 14)
I am the resurrection and the life: (John 11:25)
I am the way, the truth, and the life: (John 14:6)
I am the true vine: (John 15:1, 5)
In my head, I think of holiness as becoming more like God. Jesus’ example gives us a real-life model to follow. Anything we can do to grow closer to God will help us display more holiness. If God desires that from us, it’s our job to figure out how to make it happen.
We don’t need to recreate the wheel in figuring out what God thinks holiness looks like. He gave the Israelites this list. Of course, Jesus erased the need for sacrifices. And Jesus came to fulfill the law and the prophets, that is, to fulfill the whole Old Testament. Matthew 5:17 says, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”
Did you notice the a few of the Ten Commandments shining through into this list? Especially God’s desire for us to keep his Sabbath. This is one instruction I can work on because I tend to cram as much into each day as I can. Thankfully I have mini-Sabbaths every day when I shut out the world and focus on God’s word or what he wants me to teach the orphanage children about him.
This passage is packed with nuggets. Chapters 17-26 are known as the “Holiness Code” section in Leviticus. Our behaviors and choices define our holiness. What does this list reveal to your heart and mind? What steps are you going to take to be more holy?
Let’s pray. Father God, open my eyes so I can move boldly forward with humility and devotion to you. Thank you for the wisdom you impart in this chapter. I do recognize you as the great “I AM.” Help me be better at honoring the Sabbath you desire for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
