​Day 58 – February 27, 2021

​Day 58 – February 27, 2021
Scriptures: Leviticus 19-21, 1 John 2
 
Today picks up where we left off in the book of Leviticus. We see the heavy hand of God in his dealings with Israel’s sin. It is easy for us to view the harsh realities of the consequences of sin, and wonder why such harsh treatment for things like, “If a priest’s daughter defiles herself by becoming a prostitute, she disgraces her father; she must be burned in the fire.” (Leviticus 21:9)
 
That’s one, among many rebukes that are hard to read, not because they are difficult to comprehend, but we estimate that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. 
 
To make sense of the difficult laws, we must take into consideration what the Israelites context has been for the last 400 plus years. They have been influenced by the gods of Egypt and the gods of Canaan. The religions of the Ancient Near East demand much by means of sacrifice. We’ve had a couple of rebukes to avoid the sacrifice of children to Molek for example. 
 
Daughters of priests are to be guarded against falling into prostitution. I imagine that there was a great deal of temptation for these young women, who have no land to call their own, who’s well-being is entirely resting upon the sacrifice and offerings of others, to find another way to provide. 
 
So yes, when we read this, we think the punishment is terrible. And it is. But how else will God point the Israelites to His grace, mercy and the goodness of His ways? 
 
I hope this illustration helps. In our care for our children, we teach them the severity of wrongdoing. We do our best to teach them of the dangers of crossing the road without looking, the burns that can happen from touching the flame on the hot stove and why it is important to wear their seatbelt. We do this, to keep them safe.
 
God’s punishments are severe, but consider for a moment how much the gods of the world have normalized the sin that is devastating God’s creation. If they are going to be a witness to the nations, holy and set apart, they need to be set apart from the ways of the surrounding nations. These rules are distinguishing them from the other nations.
 
That teaches us, that these many things that are warned against, are happening in the world around them. Sin is normal. It was “normal” for children to enter into slavery and prostitution. It was “normal” for sexual immorality to be practiced among the nations. Holiness to God, isn’t “normal.”
 
It doesn’t make it much easier to read, but it at least provides a wider lens as we read through texts like Leviticus 19-21 and we may still question the severity of the punishments for sin. But at least we get a sense that God is leading His people to holy living, to a better way, filled with peace.
 
As we read difficult texts, it ought to swell our appreciation for the grace of God, revealed in Jesus Christ. I return to the opening encouragement of chapter 2, in 1 John:
 
1 John 2:1–2 (TNIV) — 1 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 
 
Sin has severe consequences.
Jesus offers us forgiveness.
 
Praise God for His faithfulness, mercy, and love given us in Jesus Christ.
 
 
Jordan