Continuing
from the theme of the holiness of God and our sinfulness in chapter 19, chapter
20 of Leviticus lists yet more commandments and the consequences for violating
them. The commandments within chapter 20 are those of a much more grievous
nature, as the majority of them are punishable by death. These commandments seek
to stress the value of human life, the important of sexual purity, the dangers
of flirting with the supernatural world and the importance of faithfully
following God’s commandments, for that will lead to life and blessing in the
Promised Land.
In
the midst of these commandments, strong warnings and severe but just
punishments, we find verses 7 and 8.
There
is a call in verse 7 for the people of Israel to do two things, to consecrate
themselves and then be holy, holy as God is holy. Last time it was mentioned
that God’s holiness was absolute, complete and eternal, therefore to be holy as
God is holy, means we need to be absolutely, completely holy, all the time.
Before this call to holiness comes, the call for them to consecrate themselves
is made. What does it mean to consecrate ourselves?
In
the original Hebrew the words consecrate and holy are very closely related, one
being the verb, the other the noun of the same word. Thus to consecrate
yourself, is to make yourself holy, to cleanse and purify yourself.
We
see now the impossibility of God’s commandments to the people of Israel, they
are not just to walk in obedience, but they are to make themselves holy, pure
and then they are to remain that way, never turning aside into sin, not even
once! This is absolutely impossible, in fact we could argue that it would be
pointless to even try, to even attempt it, it cannot be done. We may possess the
strongest will in the world and have immense self-control, but not even that
could keep us for failing and falling into sin. There is a sense in reading this
verse that one should just give up now, resign themselves to that fact that they
will eventually come under God’s wrath and condemnation.
However,
verse 8 offers hope, great hope. The call to make ourselves holy and to then
walk forever in holiness is made, but then verse 8 tells us that God is
ultimately the one who will do this work. The word used for “sanctifies” is the
same word used for “consecrate”. Essentially God is saying, “Consecrate
yourselves, be holy as I am holy, do all my commandments, I am the God who will
consecrate you.”
We
see the similarity to chapter 19 in what God is seeking to teach the people of
Israel and us. The means to holiness, to be acceptable in God’s sight can never
be accomplished by human effort. We cannot consecrate ourselves, we cannot deal
with our sinful hearts, minds and lives, no amount of human effort can suffice.
This fact is clearly illustrated throughout the Bible, no matter how godly the
man or woman, they all ultimately fall into sin. No one can keep verse 7. That
is why we so desperately need verse 8, we need God to consecrate, to sanctify
us, to make us holy and acceptable in His sight.
God
wants the people of Israel not to cast themselves upon their own strength,
efforts and works, but to cast themselves upon the mercy and grace of God. God
doesn’t want them to seek after a man-made holiness, but to ask for God to save
them from their sinfulness and to make them holy. God doesn’t want look to
themselves for salvation, but to look to Him for salvation. Again, the truth of
this is seen in the Scriptures, when these godly men and women fall into sin, we
read that they sought God in repentance, seeking forgiveness, salvation and
restoration. For example, David did not try to perform a number of good works in
order to make up for his adultery and murderous actions, David did not attempt
to try and cleanse himself, consecrate himself from such sin, rather David cast
himself upon the mercy, grace and forgiveness of God. This is what God desires
for the people of Israel to do, to look to Him not just for physical salvation
from slavery, but for spiritual, true, eternal salvation, salvation from sin,
slavery to sin and the eternal punishment of that sin.
Therefore
we are able to see how clearly this chapter points us to the Lord Jesus
Christ. It is through Christ’s life and work that we are able to be cleansed,
consecrated and made holy. It is only when we cast ourselves upon God, repenting
of our sin and pleading for His grace, mercy and salvation that we then find it.
God wants us to develop that life and relationship whereby we are constantly
depending on Him to make us holy and give us the strength through His Spirit to
walk in holiness. When we take our eyes off of this and depend upon our own
strength we will fall. God, through the work of Christ and the daily working of
the Holy Spirit, is the source of our holiness, upon which we are to constantly
depend. We should be thankful on a daily basis that God has made us holy through
Christ, and that God by means of His Spirit will strengthen, equip and assist us
to walk in greater obedience and holiness, all so that God might be more
glorified in our lives.
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