Easy Bible・Leviticus 18

God's Instructions on Sexual Morality

Key Passages

About this Chapter

In Leviticus 18, God gives the Israelites specific instructions on sexual morality. He begins by warning them not to imitate the practices of the Egyptians, where they used to live, or of the Canaanites, where they are going. God lays out a list of sexual practices that are considered abominations, including incestuous relationships, adultery, and same-sex sexual activity. God emphasizes that these practices defile the land and were the reason for the judgment of the nations before them. God specifically mentions that a man should not lie with another man as he would with a woman, as it is an abomination. This verse has been widely debated and has implications for discussions on homosexuality. It is important to note that this command was given to the Israelites under the Old Covenant, and Christians interpret the New Testament as providing a new understanding of sexual morality. While the specific laws in Leviticus 18 may not directly apply to Christians today, the principles behind them still hold true. God desires for His people to live in sexual purity and to honor the sanctity of marriage. Christians are called to love and respect one another, and to seek guidance from the teachings of Jesus and the apostles when it comes to matters of sexual morality.