Leviticus is one of the books of the Bible many people confess they “can’t get through.” But I’m convinced that in giving us 66 books, God intended us to read and study each of them with diligence. I expect to receive insight from the book of Leviticus. I have not been disappointed.
For I am the Lord your God; so consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy. . . 5 For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; therefore you shall be holy, for I am holy.
Leviticus 11:44a, 45 (Amplified)
At first glance, these verses can be daunting–how can I be holy like God? One only need read the five books of the law to see the holiness of God and how unreachable that standard is for any human.
But then I consider the character of God and remember that God wouldn’t command me to be what was impossible for me to be.
God is holy–only God can make me holy.
Only God can set me–my life–aside for holy work. This is not something I can do for myself. I could never make myself holy–nor could any water or oil or ritual of man make me holy.
Holiness–the work of sanctification (being set apart for God)–is something only God can do.
So what is my part?
I must prepare. I must be available. I must obey.
See also Leviticus 19:2, 20:7; 1 Peter 1:15
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