Why is it important to heed God's instructions as given in Leviticus 18:1? Setting the Scene “Then the LORD said to Moses,” (Leviticus 18:1). One short sentence, yet it frames everything that follows in the chapter. Before any specific command is listed, God reminds His people who is speaking and through whom He is speaking. The Voice We’re Hearing • The LORD—Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God—initiates the conversation. • Moses is merely the messenger; authority flows from God Himself (cf. Exodus 20:1). • Because the words originate with God, they carry divine weight—binding, trustworthy, and life-shaping (2 Timothy 3:16). Why Listening Matters • Ownership: God redeemed Israel from Egypt; His voice comes with the rights of a Redeemer (Leviticus 25:55). • Holiness: His commands define what sets His people apart (Leviticus 19:2). • Protection: Obedience shields from moral and spiritual hazards (Psalm 19:8–11). • Blessing: Life and peace flow from walking in His statutes (Leviticus 26:3–5). Echoes Throughout Scripture • Deuteronomy 6:4-5—Hearing precedes loving and obeying. • Joshua 1:8—Meditating on God’s words ensures success. • John 14:15—“If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” • James 1:22—Be doers, not merely hearers. Consequences of Ignoring God’s Voice • Moral confusion and societal breakdown (Judges 21:25). • Exile and loss when Israel rejected God’s statutes (2 Kings 17:7-18). • Personal ruin; sin’s wages remain death (Romans 6:23). Practical Takeaways for Today • Start each reading with the reminder: “The LORD is speaking.” • Receive Scripture as the final authority, even when counter-cultural. • Let obedience flow from gratitude, not mere duty (1 John 4:19). • Teach the next generation the same reverence for God’s voice (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). Summing It Up Heeding Leviticus 18:1 matters because the Speaker is God. Recognizing His authority, trusting His goodness, and obeying His words form the foundation for holy, protected, and blessed living—then and now. |
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