Week 6 Leviticus 14-Numbers 2
Leviticus 18:1-5 is a read-it-again paragraph.
Reading it I get the impression that cultural conformity is a concern. It was a big enough concern that the Lord pointed out two contemporary groups that Israel was not to start aping.
First he looked back to the state of Egypt and told Israel not to imitate their behaviour.
Then he looked forward to the Canaanite tribal territories where Israel was headed, and told them not to imitate their behaviour either. Their sexual behaviour.
Verses 6-24 give specific examples. That section could be titled: Canaanite Sexual Practices to Not Imitate (there are about twenty of them).
It’s an interesting list for two reasons.
First, these practices are part of the reason that the Canaanite nations will soon be punished (that’s spelled out in verses 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28). Which makes them pretty serious.
Secondly, my guess is that every one of the sexual practices listed is practiced in Alberta today. Which tips me off that we don’t take them too seriously.
So there’s the question of applicability. Are there any OT laws that apply to Albertans today?
There’re probably three starting points to an answer:
(a) All of them are applicable;
(b) Some of them are applicable;
(c) None of them are applicable.
I guess I’d be running solo if I chose (a), and running with the pack if I chose (c).
So I have a niggling sense that (b) is where I need to begin.