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Purity
The Rule of Law: Government of the Community (5)
God’s Law works for purity within communities.
“And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the LORD your God. You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. You shall follow my rules and keep my statutes and walk in them.” Leviticus 18.1-4
As we have seen, purity in ancient Israel was to be nurtured in the souls of God’s people, beginning in their homes. The home was the first line of defense against impure practices, but it was not the only redoubt of holiness. As part of their mutual care for one another, individual community members were responsible to pursue holiness unto the Lord, and communities were expected to work together to ensure that no impurity would find safe harbor in their midst.
Communities were thus designed in such a way as to encourage their members to live in purity and holiness before the Lord. Neighbors were to respect the sexuality and sexual covenants of one another (Deut. 5.18; Lev.18.6-18), as well, as we have seen their right to private property. Community members were to protect themselves and their communities against false teachings and pagan religious practices (Deut. 13.1-11). Neighbors were expected to give testimony as required in cases of dispute (Lev. 5.1) and to participate in acts of judgment against convicted offenders. Any who bore false witness were to be punished according to the nature of their testimony (Deut. 19.15-21). Members of the community were to appoint as their judges only those who had demonstrated competency in understanding and living by the Law of God.
Just communities depend on just people who are willing to take responsibility to ensure that justice and only justice – obedience to divine Law – should rule in their communities. God expected His people to pursue holiness as individuals, households, and communities together, and His Law establishes guidelines by which this could be practiced at each level.
For a practical guide to the role of God’s Law in the life of faith, get The Ground for Christian Ethics by going to www.ailbe.org and click on our Book Store.