You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them. You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you.This command emphasizes the distinctiveness required of the Israelites as God's chosen people. The "statutes of the nations" refers to the pagan practices and idolatrous customs prevalent among the Canaanites and other peoples inhabiting the Promised Land. These practices often included child sacrifice, sexual immorality, and various forms of idol worship, which were detestable to God. The command to avoid these statutes underscores the call to holiness found throughout Leviticus ( Leviticus 19:2). The Israelites were to be a holy nation, set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His character and laws. This separation from pagan practices is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to live distinctively from the world ( Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:14-16). Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.
The phrase "I abhorred them" indicates God's intense displeasure and rejection of the nations' sinful practices. The Hebrew word used here conveys a strong sense of loathing and rejection. This divine abhorrence is not arbitrary but is based on the moral corruption and abominations committed by these nations. The historical context reveals that the Canaanites engaged in practices that were not only religiously offensive but also morally reprehensible, such as ritual prostitution and child sacrifice (Deuteronomy 12:31). God's judgment upon these nations serves as a warning and a demonstration of His holiness and justice. It also foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin and the establishment of God's kingdom, where righteousness will dwell (Revelation 21:27). The call for Israel to avoid these practices is a type of the call for Christians to live in purity and righteousness, reflecting the holiness of Christ, who fulfilled the law and calls His followers to a higher standard of living (Matthew 5:17-20). Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are being instructed on how to live in a way that is distinct from the surrounding nations. 2. The NationsRefers to the Canaanite nations that inhabited the Promised Land before the Israelites. These nations practiced customs that were detestable to God. 3. God (Yahweh)The one true God who is giving these commands to His people, emphasizing His holiness and the need for His people to be set apart. 4. The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land that the Israelites are to inherit, contingent upon their obedience to God. 5. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is conveying God's laws and commands to the people. Teaching Points Holiness and SeparationGod calls His people to be holy and separate from the world. This involves rejecting practices and customs that are contrary to His will. Cultural DiscernmentBelievers must exercise discernment in engaging with cultural practices, ensuring they align with biblical principles. Obedience to GodThe call to avoid the customs of the nations is a call to obedience, recognizing that God's ways are higher and lead to life. God's Abhorrence of SinUnderstanding that God abhors certain practices should motivate believers to pursue righteousness and avoid sin. Identity in ChristJust as the Israelites were called to be distinct, Christians are called to find their identity in Christ and live according to His standards. Bible Study Questions 1. What specific customs or practices of the surrounding nations were the Israelites warned against, and why were these detestable to God? 2. How can we apply the principle of being set apart in our modern context, especially in areas where cultural practices conflict with biblical teachings? 3. In what ways does the New Testament reinforce the call to holiness and separation found in Leviticus 20:23? 4. How can understanding God's abhorrence of certain practices help us in our personal walk with Him? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our identity is rooted in Christ and not influenced by the prevailing culture around us? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 18:9-14This passage also warns the Israelites against adopting the detestable practices of the nations they are dispossessing, emphasizing the need for purity and obedience to God. 1 Peter 1:14-16Peter calls believers to be holy in all their conduct, echoing the call to be distinct from the world, similar to the call in Leviticus. Romans 12:2Paul urges believers not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, aligning with the call in Leviticus to avoid the customs of the nations. People Molech, MosesPlaces TemanTopics Abhorred, Abomination, Cast, Casting, Committed, Customs, Drive, Driving, Follow, Manners, Moreover, Nation, Nations, Reason, Rules, Sending, Soul, Statutes, Walk, WeariedDictionary of Bible Themes Leviticus 20:23 5286 custom
7530 foreigners
8217 conformity
8428 example
8449 imitating
8736 evil, warnings against Leviticus 20:22-24 4208 land, divine responsibility Leviticus 20:22-26 7340 clean and unclean Leviticus 20:23-24 5354 invasions
7525 exclusiveness Leviticus 20:23-26 8269 holiness, separation from worldly
8273 holiness, ethical aspects Library Tenth Day. Holiness and Separation.
I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. And ye shall be holy unto me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from other people that ye should be Mine.'--Lev. xx. 24, 26. 'Until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy.... All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.'--Num. vi. 5, 8. 'Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the …
Andrew Murray—Holy in ChristSeventh Day. Holiness and Obedience.
Ye have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: ye shall be unto me an holy nation.'--Ex. xix. 4-6. Israel has reached Horeb. The law is to be given and the covenant made. Here are God's first words to the people; He speaks of redemption and its blessing, fellowship with Himself: 'Ye have seen how I brought …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Annunciation to Joseph of the Birth of Jesus.
(at Nazareth, b.c. 5.) ^A Matt. I. 18-25. ^a 18 Now the birth [The birth of Jesus is to handled with reverential awe. We are not to probe into its mysteries with presumptuous curiosity. The birth of common persons is mysterious enough (Eccl. ix. 5; Ps. cxxxix. 13-16), and we do not well, therefore, if we seek to be wise above what is written as to the birth of the Son of God] of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [The Jews were usually betrothed ten or twelve months …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Self-Denial.
"If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."--Matt. xvi. 24. Good works are not the saint's sanctification, any more than drops of water are the fountain; but they spring as crystal drops from the fountain of sanctification. They are good, not when the saint intends them to be good, but when they conform to the divine law and proceed from a true faith. Yet the intention is of great importance; the Church has always taught that a work could not be called …
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit Epistle Lxiv. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli [174] . Here begins the epistle of the blessed Gregory pope of the city of Rome, in exposition of various matters, which he sent into transmarine Saxony to Augustine, whom he had himself sent in his own stead to preach. Preface.--Through my most beloved son Laurentius, the presbyter, and Peter the monk, I received thy Fraternity's letter, in which thou hast been at pains to question me on many points. But, inasmuch as my aforesaid sons found me afflicted with the …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great Eleventh Day. The Holy one of Israel.
I am the Lord that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God; ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. I the Lord which make you holy, am holy.'--Lev. xi. 45, xxi. 8. 'I am the Lord Thy God, the Holy One of Israel, Thy Saviour. Thus saith the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.'--Isa. xliii. 3, 14, 15. In the book of Exodus we found God making provision for the Holiness of His people. In the holy …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Call of Matthew - the Saviour's Welcome to Sinners - Rabbinic Theology as Regards the Doctrine of Forgiveness in Contrast to the Gospel of Christ
In two things chiefly does the fundamental difference appear between Christianity and all other religious systems, notably Rabbinism. And in these two things, therefore, lies the main characteristic of Christ's work; or, taking a wider view, the fundamental idea of all religions. Subjectively, they concern sin and the sinner; or, to put it objectively, the forgiveness of sin and the welcome to the sinner. But Rabbinism, and every other system down to modern humanitarianism - if it rises so high in …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Leviticus
The emphasis which modern criticism has very properly laid on the prophetic books and the prophetic element generally in the Old Testament, has had the effect of somewhat diverting popular attention from the priestly contributions to the literature and religion of Israel. From this neglect Leviticus has suffered most. Yet for many reasons it is worthy of close attention; it is the deliberate expression of the priestly mind of Israel at its best, and it thus forms a welcome foil to the unattractive …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Leviticus 20:23 NIVLeviticus 20:23 NLTLeviticus 20:23 ESVLeviticus 20:23 NASBLeviticus 20:23 KJV
Leviticus 20:23 Commentaries
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