Meaning of Leviticus 20:8

This verse from Leviticus 20:8 establishes a fundamental covenantal relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing obedience as the pathway to experiencing His sanctifying power. The imperative to "keep my decrees and follow them" is not merely a set of rules but a call to a way of life that reflects God's character and will. The subsequent declaration, "I am the Lord, who makes you holy," serves as the divine motivation and assurance behind this command. It means that God's holiness is the source from which Israel's own holiness is derived; obedience is the mechanism through which this divine holiness is imparted and manifested in their lives, setting them apart as His chosen people.

Context and Background

Leviticus 20 is part of a larger section in the book of Leviticus that outlines various laws and regulations for the Israelite community, particularly concerning holiness and separation from the surrounding Canaanite nations. These laws were given to Israel at Mount Sinai as part of the Mosaic Covenant, a conditional agreement where blessings were promised for obedience and curses for disobedience. The specific context here follows a series of prohibitions against various sins, including incest, adultery, and child sacrifice (Leviticus 20:1-7). By reiterating the importance of obeying God's decrees and linking it to His own inherent holiness, the verse reinforces the seriousness of these commands and the transformative power available to those who adhere to them.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Authority: The verse clearly asserts God's supreme authority as the one who establishes the decrees. His commands are not arbitrary but are rooted in His divine nature.
• Holiness as a Divine Attribute and Goal: God's own holiness is presented as the standard and the ultimate source of Israel's sanctification. The goal of their obedience is to reflect this holiness.
• Covenantal Relationship: The verse underscores the nature of the covenant between God and Israel. Obedience is a vital component of maintaining this relationship, and God's promise of making them holy is the hallmark of His faithfulness within that covenant.
• Transformation through Obedience: The act of keeping decrees is presented as the means by which God actively works to make His people holy. It's not just about outward conformity but an internal transformation initiated and sustained by God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, Leviticus 20:8 speaks to the ongoing call to live a life set apart for God. While the specific ceremonial and civil laws of the Old Testament are not directly binding in the same way, the underlying principle of holiness remains paramount. The "decrees" can be understood as God's revealed will, found in both the Old and New Testaments, culminating in the teachings of Jesus Christ. Our obedience to these principles is an expression of our faith and a pathway through which the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of God, continues the work of sanctification in our lives. It reminds us that our pursuit of holiness is not a self-generated endeavor but a response to God's initiative and power.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This verse is foundational to the biblical narrative of redemption. God's desire to dwell among His people and for them to be holy, as demonstrated in Leviticus, foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus, the perfect embodiment of holiness, calls His followers to be holy as He is holy (John 17:16-19; 1 Peter 1:15-16). The New Testament emphasizes that believers are made holy through the sacrifice of Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, enabling them to live lives of obedience that honor God. The progressive revelation of God's plan moves from a covenant with a nation to a new covenant in Christ, where holiness is imputed and imparted to all who believe.

Analogies

One analogy for understanding this verse is a master craftsman and his apprentice. The master craftsman (God) provides precise instructions and tools (decrees) for the apprentice (believer) to follow. As the apprentice diligently applies these instructions, not only does he produce a work that pleases the master, but he also develops skill and proficiency, becoming more like the master himself in his craft. The master's guidance and the quality of his tools enable the apprentice's growth and eventual mastery.

Another analogy is a gardener and a plant. The gardener (God) provides the soil, water, and sunlight (His grace and word) and prunes the plant (His discipline and guidance) according to his knowledge of what will make it flourish and bear fruit. The plant's response of growing and producing fruit is its form of "obedience" to the gardener's care, and in doing so, it fulfills its potential and becomes a beautiful, fruitful specimen, reflecting the gardener's work.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 19:6: "But you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." This verse, given at Sinai, sets the stage for the laws in Leviticus, establishing Israel's identity as a holy people. Leviticus 20:8 explains how they are to maintain this holiness.
• 1 Peter 1:15-16: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This New Testament passage directly echoes the sentiment of Leviticus 20:8, applying the call to holiness to all believers through Christ.
• John 14:15: "If you love me, keep my commands." Jesus links love for Him with obedience to His commands, aligning with the principle that obedience is a demonstration of devotion and a means of experiencing His presence and transformative power.
• Romans 6:22: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you bear is for holiness, and the end is eternal life." This verse highlights that the result of being made holy by God is a life of righteous living, which is the fruit of true sanctification.