Bible Discussion Thread

Leviticus 18:6-29

This chapter lays out the parameters for lawful sexual relations. It addresses child sacrifice.

In ancient Israel marriage was initiated by sexual relation (being seen as the two becoming one flesh). Though multiple wives were allowed in this culture, there were boundaries that the people were to keep. The surrounding nations were very sexually lax. But God, who has all the authority to make all the laws, begins with behavior that is at the very core of society. The marriage bed and the one flesh relationship that bonds male and female together and produces children (who are physically the union of two people in one flesh).

With YHWH being the Master of the Israelites (they belonged to YHWH) they were being called from being slaves to sin and Satan to become slaves to YHWH and righteousness (as defined by Him).

These statutes concerning sexual relations keep the marriage bond pure and protect children born of this union. It protects women from being dishonored by men who do not control their appetites or have respect for their father, brother, uncle, or son's wives and daughters. The prohibitions begin with matters of incest (relations with close kin). Then it extends to adultery with one's neighbor's wife. It then prohibits homosexual relations and then to bestiality. Included in the prohibitions is the command to not sacrifice one's children to Molech.

This is the progression that happens in a society when they separate sex from marriage and procreation as God intended. One by one the pillars of righteous practices concerning sexual relations begin to fall to the pressure of the culture and what God has prohibited becomes normalized with the expectation of society accepting it's expression without question. Aren't we there now?

First, the availability of contraception in the 1930's allowed people to pursue sexual relations simply for the pleasure without the responsibility of child-bearing.