“And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.”
Historical and Contextual Background: Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and is part of the Torah, which is the foundational law of the Israelites. The book primarily focuses on the regulations for the priesthood, rituals, and laws governing the people of Israel. Leviticus 20:26 is part of a larger passage where God instructs the Israelites on maintaining holiness and avoiding practices of the surrounding nations that are contrary to God’s commands.
Understanding the Verse:
- “And ye shall be holy unto me”: God emphasizes the call for His people to be holy. The term “holy” means set apart or consecrated. It involves living in accordance with God’s commands and reflecting His character in their lives.
- “For I the LORD am holy”: God presents Himself as the standard of holiness. He is utterly pure, righteous, and separate from all sin. His people are called to imitate His holiness in their conduct.
- “And have severed you from other people”: God set the Israelites apart from the other nations. This separation was intended to distinguish them as His chosen people, with unique responsibilities and a special relationship with God.
- “That ye should be mine”: By separating them, God claimed the Israelites as His own possession. They were to live exclusively for Him, following His laws and commandments.
Key Themes:
- Holiness: Leviticus repeatedly stresses the importance of holiness. God’s people were to reflect His character and adhere to His laws. This theme carries forward into the New Testament, where believers are called to pursue holiness in Christ (1 Peter 1:15-16).
- Separation: The Israelites were set apart from other nations to live distinctively and to be a light to the world. As Christians, while we are in the world, we are called to be separate from worldly practices and values (2 Corinthians 6:17).
- God’s Ownership: God claims the Israelites as His own possession. This concept continues in the New Testament, where believers are called “a people for his own possession” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV). We are bought with a price and belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
Application:
- Pursuit of Holiness: As believers, we are called to pursue holiness in our lives, reflecting the character of God through obedience to His Word and dependence on the Holy Spirit.
- Distinctiveness: We should live distinctively as God’s people, set apart from the values and practices of the world. Our lives should reflect the transforming power of Christ, influencing others for good.
- Understanding Ownership: Recognizing that we belong to God brings a sense of purpose, security, and responsibility. We should use our lives, talents, and resources to honor and serve Him.
In summary, Leviticus 20:26 emphasizes the call for God’s people to be holy, reflecting God’s character and living in obedience to His commands. It highlights the concept of separation from worldly practices and the understanding that believers belong to God as His treasured possession. This verse holds relevance for both ancient Israelites and Christians today, encouraging us to pursue holiness, live distinctively, and acknowledge God’s ownership in our lives.
