Cast Out and Forgotten

Author: Joseph

Date: September 30, 2018

Israel was given a set of laws prohibiting certain sexual relationships, listing a disturbing variety of illicit relationships to include even those between a person and their own direct family members. These forbidden sexual relationships are not only disturbing, but reveal a deep-seeded perversion within the hearts of those that thought of them. Why were these laws given to God’s people and where did these ideas come from?

"...you shall not walk in their statutes..."

Both questions can be answered by listening to what God spoke to Moses, “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; you shall not walk in their statutes… Thus you are to keep My charge, that you do not practice any of the abominable customs which have been practiced before you, so as not to defile yourselves with them; I am the LORD your God” (Leviticus 18:3, 30).

In the land of Egypt and the land of Canaan, these sexual relationships were being practiced and were either legally allowed or socially accepted. Whatever the cause of these strange sexual practices being done (idolatry, lust, violence), God was instructing His people not to follow in these ways as they would become defiled and perverted. These sinful practices were part of what contributed to the nation of Egypt and those in Canaan suffering calamity and being cast out from their land.

God spoke to Moses, “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. For the land has become defiled, therefore I have brought its punishment upon it, so the land has spewed out its inhabitants” (Leviticus 18:24-25).

We are not to learn the ways of those God has cast out and forgotten. God’s people are meant to be holy, fleeing from sin and clinging to righteousness, thereby demonstrating our love and faithfulness to Him.

God’s truth regarding a matter such as sexuality is our only guidance in life. We cannot rely on the voices of the nations, the voices of those who live in and endorse sin, to lead our lives and determine what is acceptable. God and His Word is our only trustworthy source for living. Although a nation may seem powerful and their people may widely accept sinful practices as normal, they cannot escape accountability to God. There is no longer a great Egyptian empire, there is no longer a collective of Canaanite kingdoms – they have been cast out.

Do not think that by conforming to the world and appealing to what is commonly accepted that you will justify your sins against God. God can drive away an entire nation and bring down great empires; He is the Lord of all. If you seek to justify your sin by joining in agreement with these nations and people, you also will not escape His judgment.

Bible Passage: Leviticus 18:1-30

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org