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Reading All These Laws- Leviticus 19
Reading All These Laws- Leviticus 19
Line upon line, each contains a law of God that instructs the people on how to live before God and with each other. A Jewish tradition numbers these as 613 commandments.
As you turn to Jesus, he said that ALL the laws and prophets depend upon two laws. First, you shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Deut 6:5). And the second: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Lev 19:18). Here is Matthew’s record of this:
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:36-40).
Paul later wrote concerning these laws that pertain to how people should treat each other: “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).
Notice how this can be seen as you read these various laws of conduct. If you love your neighbor you will not steal from him, lie to him, lie about him, oppress him, slander him, hate him, kill him, etc.
For us who have difficulty applying broad concepts (such as love your neighbor as yourself), we can learn specific examples of how that can be implemented by a reading of this text.
As disciples of Jesus, let us be known for loving our neighbors.
Hugh DeLong
