By Don R. Richards, published in The Banner of Love, June 2003
There
were many acts of morality apparently being practiced in Egypt and Canaan during
the days of the Exodus that the Lord commanded as forbidden acts among the
Israelites.
In
the opening verses of the 18th Chapter of Leviticus, the Lord
instructs Moses to tell the people of Israel to strictly avoid numerous
incestuous and immoral sexual relationships, which historians indicate were
allowed in Egypt, from which the Israelites fled, as well as in the Land of
Canaan, to which the Israelites were heading.
Basically,
the Lord forbid any such relationships between persons of close kin.
While the
close family unit is always important and detailed in numerous places in the Old
Testament teachings, this is the first indication in the Bible that
there can be improper close-family relationships.
While the 18th chapter of Leviticus emphasizes the improper
sexual relationships with close kin, the chapter also is the first sign, or
groundwork, of what we also know
today as the legal practice and laws regarding nepotism.
God
very clearly establishes the boundaries of improper sexual relationships.
In doing so, the first
details of what defines immediate family boundaries is established and continues
to be used under most laws in the world, including the United States, even
today.
While
it is clear that the close family sexual relationships described in the chapter
were to be outlawed, the strong implication is that they were legally allowed in
Egypt and Canaan, which the Lord would disallow.
The
Lord in the 7th verse through verse 18 begins a long enumerated list
of improper sexual relationships. They
are with one’s parents or stepparents(7-8), sisters and half and step sisters
(9-11), granddaughters(10), paternal and maternal aunts and wives of paternal
uncles (11-14),. Also forbidden was
sexual relationships with daughters-in-law (15) sisters-in-law (16-18), step
daughters and grand step daughters (17),
In
addition to the forbidding of incestuous close family sexual relationships, the
Lord also forbid acts of a sexual nature during a woman’s menstrual time, or a
relationship with a close friend’s spouse (verse 19-20).
Acts of a homosexual nature were forbidden, as was sexual acts with
animals (verse 22-23).
The
18th chapter closes with the Lord describing that these types of acts
took place in Egypt, and in Canaan, but were forbidden among the Israelites as
abominations.
“Therefore,
shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable
customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves
therein: I am the Lord your God.”
Next: Laws of holiness and justice