DAILY LIVING. Leviticus 19 Sometimes, we might ignore common sense and decency in daily life. If we're not careful, chasing our goals can consume so much time, energy, and skills that we forget the danger of blending in with society’s accepted norms and ignoring some people's needs. Society has made what are sins in God's eyes appear acceptable, leading people to wonder at a true Christian's refusal to accept the majority's opinions. Regardless of what others think or do, we who belong to God must commit ourselves to holiness. This way, we will have divine guidance to prevent us from losing fellowship with God, even when we need to stand apart from what others do.
There is no doubt about the charge that God gave to His people, Israel, and has given to His people in this modern time. “Be ye holy, for I am holy” leaves no room for us to think that such a charge is impossible. Righteous, godly living is expected of God’s people today just as much as it was in those who lived in the past. It is because of His mercies that we are not consumed, and “in Him, we live and move and have our being.”
The Sabbath was set apart from all the days of the week for the Israelites not just to rest but also to reflect on what was important during the past week. The Sabbath was a weekly reminder that God was their Lord, and by His grace, they lived, moved, and had their being, and they were preserved. God fed them with manna from heaven, and a river of water followed them as they drank from water that came from the rock. They were given meat in the evening, and their shoes and clothes didn’t wear out. They were kept from disease by obeying His commands.
Appreciation and fellowship with God can be expressed through peace offerings. These were not required but served as a public demonstration of gratitude by the person offering the sacrifice. It would have been clear to those people, as it is to us, that our Gracious God does for us what we could never do for ourselves. It would be like a personal “Thanksgiving Day” when a leper was declared clean or a new child was born into a family. The testimony of believers giving thanks for God’s grace and goodness tends to inspire thankfulness and gratitude in the hearts of those who hear it. On the other hand, we are responsible for the well-being of those around us, regardless of who they are. Everything we have and claim as our own belongs to God, who allows us to use it for proper purposes. The biblical welfare system provided for the poor, but they had to seek it out themselves. It was not handed to them on a "silver platter." They had to go into the fields and gather food that property owners left behind. God had arranged for the poor by generously making what was His to give available to them. This was a law of mercy, but mercy had to be accepted on God's terms.
The "edges of the fields" today remind us that we have a duty to others to provide them with what they need if they are willing to put in the effort to claim it. The poor, pilgrims, and strangers can benefit from the provision if they take advantage of it. Giving something helpful to someone without expecting some effort on their part, if they are able, hinders both them and those they will encounter in the future.
The Bible isn't just a book of "dos and don'ts," but teaches the importance of living righteously and responsibly every day. God’s people should be generous to others because God has been generous to us. When we follow what God says in His way, the laws He gives make sense. That's why they can be summarized simply as "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart ... and thy neighbor as thyself." All other laws fall into those categories.
The fundamental rule in caring for the elderly is to show them the respect they deserve. When this is done, we will fulfill our responsibilities toward them. If it involves visiting and dedicating time, we will gladly do so. It can also be addressed by meeting practical or material needs. Respecting and honoring older people benefits us by allowing them to share their wisdom and experience. This helps us avoid unnecessary traps that could harm or tarnish our testimony for God.
Foreigners and illegal aliens face a lot of harsh criticism today. People who speak different languages, belong to different races, or come from different countries are often unfairly discriminated against. God tells us to treat them the same as our fellow citizens who have been here longer. Our own background is that of being foreigners ourselves. This world is only our temporary home. Honestly, integrity, respect for others, and reverence for God are principles we should practice in daily life.