Page 74 - Pentateuch

Chapter 19 goes over most of the Ten Commandments with some
additions to illustrate. “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy
(19:2)” starts the chapter. Some new instructions are offered about
gleaning (vv. 9, 10) and defrauding one’s neighbor (v. 13). The summary
command to love your neighbor is in the middle of the chapter (v. 18).
We puzzle over some of the laws. “Do not plant your field with two kinds
of seed (v. 19).” Is this nothing more than good plant genetics? “Do not
cut the hair at the sides of your head or chop off the edges of your beard
(v. 27).” Could this be a practice of other nations in excessive mourning
for their dead? Yet others are quite understandable and transfer well to
almost all societies. “Do not use dishonest standards when measuring
length, weight, or quantity (v. 35).” No nation is completely “common” in
disregarding God’s laws.
Fig. 55: Ancient Asherah
Chapter 20 begins with warnings about the worship of other gods,
especially the human sacrifice to Molek (20:1-5). God is also against all occult practices (v. 6) and views
cursing father or mother as worthy of death (v. 9). His people are to be different. Again, he says,
“Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God (v. 7). More instructions on sexual
practices follow (20:10-21). He vividly warns of the consequences. The land “may vomit you out (v. 22),” If
Israel adopts the same standards as these nations, Israel will also be expelled from this good land.

In these instructions about everyday life, Moses now turns to the priests in chapters 21-22. As men who
approach God on behalf of the entire nation, they are held to a higher standard. Their family life is quite
different, whether they are mourning for a dead relative, taking a wife, or disciplining children. A priest
must be a whole man without physical defects. As those who stand before God, they especially must
observe the laws distinguishing the clean from the unclean. Making a mistake is more severe in the case of
a priest. “That person must be cut off from my presence. I am the LORD (v. 3).” Not discerning clean and
unclean in the priestly functions is more like treating what is holy as if common (v. 9).

As a last note, some warnings are given about sacrifices (22:17-30). These go out to priests and people
alike. A required offering, such as a burnt offering in payment for sin, must be without defect. Voluntary
offerings, such as a thank-offering for God’s blessing, would be acceptable, even if the animal had a defect.
A certain amount of kindness toward animals was also required. A calf could not be sacrificed until after
eight days. The reason is simple. “Do not profane my holy name (v. 32).” God is to be treated as special at
all times and in all activities.

The NT writers challenge Christians in the same way God challenged Israel “Be holy because I am holy (1
Pet. 1:16).” We are foreigners in this world, different from everyone else (v. 17) because we have been
redeemed by the precious blood of Christ (v. 19). We are to “revere [make holy] Christ as Lord” in our
hearts (3:15). We cannot act in a “common” manner.

The apostle Paul uses the image of dishes to communicate the difference (2 Tim. 2:
20-21). Some are made of special materials (gold and silver). Others are made out
of wood and clay. The materials indicate the purpose of the dishes, either for a
special purpose or a common purpose. We understand well, for we all have special
possessions that we treat differently. In the same way, Christians must choose how
God might use them. Living like everyone else, we are common. “Those who
cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made
holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do good work (v. 21).”
72