This is the day that the Lord has made. . .

. . . Let us rejoice and be glad in it! I hope you are able to make it to worship somewhere today!

Here's the question and answer from yesterday:
Sat, Feb. 21- Who was Cornelius?
Acts 10:1, “At Caeserea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian regiment.”

And here's the question of the day:
Sun, Feb. 22- When one enters a land and plants a tree, how long must one wait to eat the fruit of the tree?

And here's the reflection of the day:
Back to Leviticus. . .
Leviticus chapters 17-26 contain what is called the "Holiness Code." The formal introduction to it begins in 18:1-5, which is part of our reading today.

This "Holiness Code" is divided into four areas: sexual behavior, social ethics, worship, and family relations. All of these rules and regulations can be explained by the words: "Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (11:44-45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8).

Chapters 18-20 are the foundational "principles of social morality," particularly with regard to the institution of marriage, which is the "cornerstone of all human society" (Hertz quoted in New Interpreter's Bible Commentary). Israel had been called to be a holy nation; any trifling with customs they saw in Egypt and will see in Canaan, would be to mock the call to holiness God put upon them.

These warnings are not prudish; they are extremely realistic cautions in the middle of a rather hedonistic society. The people of God fare better when they follow God's laws, and so these chapters are addressed to those who claim God as Lord. However, following these laws does not guarantee salvation, but it will lead to an abundant life.

The author of the Leviticus commentary in the NIB series (whose name I cannot find right now!) has this to say in summation. . .
"Sexual purity is only one part of the larger morality that is mandatory for all who would live a godly and righteous life before a holy God. However, sexual holiness may be the first line of practical defense for all who are on the road to living a holy life devoted to God. To give free course to our passions, appetites, and hungers in this area is ultimately to turn loose the controls over every other area of our lives."

Some good food for thought. This Leviticus stuff is actually not quite as bad as I had expected. You just have to dig a little deeper to understand it.

Have a splendid day!
Allison