Leviticus 18:1-30
Q.1. Why was Israel to follow God’s statutes regarding intermarrying? How has modern genetics confirmed the need for such prohibitions? – (Lev.18:1-23)
God was Israel’s Lord and Master. He owned her. He told Moses – 2 Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘I am the Lord your God. 3 You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you … 4 You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the Lord your God (Lev.18:2-4). Israel was not to go back to the practices of Egypt, nor copy the lifestyle of the Canaanites. God charged Israel – None of you shall approach a blood relative of his to uncover nakedness; I am the Lord (Lev.18:6). By ‘uncovering the nakedness’ of someone it means to commit a sexual act. He then explained how this applied in numerous other possible relationships. God also outlined His prohibitions against adultery (see Lev.18:6-20). Intermarrying or marrying relatives increases the danger of destructive genes appearing in offspring. God also specifically condemned homosexual relationships – You shall not lie with a male as one lies sexually with a female; It is an abomination (Lev.18:22). Bestiality as in – having intercourse with any animal … is a perversion (Lev.18:23)
Q.2. Why was God going to remove the Canaanites from the land? What was Israel to learn from this? – (Lev.18:24-30)
God warned Israel – Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled (Lev.18:24). The prohibitions not only applied to Israel but also the aliens living among them (see Lev.18:25). God was giving these laws – so that the land will not spew you out … as I spewed out the nation which has been before you … Thus, you are to keep My charge, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs … so as not to defile yourselves with them; I am the Lord your God (Lev.18:28 & 30). God claims the justification for removing the nations from Canaan was their perverted and abominable practices that destroyed decency in interpersonal relationships. God would eventually remove Israel from the Promised Land because they acted like these nations.