Today's passage: Leviticus 20
Helpful thoughts:
- Chapter 20 contains much the same content as chapter 18. However, the required punishments are added in 20.
- Verse 8 states the proper tension of the grace of God and the responsibility of man.
- God is the one who sets His people apart, sanctifies, saves, etc.
- Man is still responsible to pursue obedience, godliness, righteousness.
- We are saved by grace. We are sanctified by God's gracious action (Philippians 1:6).
- And, we press on, striving toward the goal (Philippians 3:14).
- From the ESV Study Bible: “Cursing one's parents is not merely using condescending or abusive language toward them but refers to a serious breach of a child's duty to honor his parents. It means to “make light of something,” and is the exact opposite of “honoring” one's parents.”
Questions to consider:
- What was the prevailing punishment for the sins listed in this chapter? Even if the punishment was not the most severe, what still happens in the relationship between the one who sinned and the rest of the people? How seriously did God take these sins? Why do you think that is?
- What happens when we abandon the idea of God's proactive grace for our salvation and sanctification? What do we lose out on? What would the consequences be?
- What happens when we abandon the idea of our responsibility to trust and obey? What do we lose out on (And others around us)? What would the consequences be?