Leviticus 19:1-8 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Purity in worship.

The laws set out in this chapter were before communicated to Aaron and his sons; now they are given to the people ( Leviticus 19:1 , Leviticus 19:2 ). It is the privilege and duty of God's people to acquaint themselves with his will. They should learn the Law from the lips of Moses. They should learn the gospel from the lips of Jesus. It is a maxim of antichrist that" Ignorance is the mother of devotion" The mother of devotion, viz. to superstition, it is (see 1 John 2:20 , 1 John 2:21 ).

I. THE PEOPLE OF THE HOLY GOD MUST BE HOLY . ( Leviticus 19:2 .)

1 . They must be separate from sinners.

2 . They must be separated to God.

(a) We have our work assigned by his appointment.

(b) He pays us our wages. In this life. In that to come.

(a) We have assurance of our adoption ( Romans 8:16 ; Galatians 4:6 ).

(b) Consequently also concerning our heirship ( Romans 8:17 ; Galatians 4:7 ).

(c) We have also blissful fellowship ( John 17:21 ; 1 Corinthians 1:9 ; 1 John 1:3 , 1 John 1:7 ).

3 . Grace makes us to differ.

II. THEIR HOLINESS WILL BE EXPRESSED IN PURE WORSHIP .

1 . They keep the sabbaths of the Lord.

(a) In their paternity.

(b) In the providence they exercise during the helplessness and dependence of infancy and youth.

(c) In their authority.

This is from God, and it should be religiously maintained. Those who are allowed to break God's sabbaths will disobey their parents.

2 . They keep themselves from idols.

3 . They serve God with reverence.