You don’t need me to tell you that sexuality in the modern world is pretty warped. Thanks to the internet, whatever kind of “interest” someone may have, they can find an outlet for it some way.
It’s a truly hedonistic world. Pleasures abound, but even more than that, the availability of pleasure is more predominant than ever.
But maybe the world hasn’t changed as much as we think? God gives a strict warning in Leviticus 18:3 to “not do” as they saw the Egyptians do, or as they will eventually see the Canaanites. Clearly, immorality abounded then just as it does now.
You can look at Leviticus 18 through two lenses. You can either see it as a prohibition for the Israelites to remain pure in the face of sexually impure people (which it is), or you can see it as a commentary on just how depraved much of the ancient world was. In modern contexts, this discussion can parallel current debates surrounding morality and societal norms. Just as ancient Israelites were urged to maintain their purity, contemporary society grapples with issues of integrity and the implications of relationships in the digital age and privacy. This reflection invites us to consider how cultural standards evolve yet often retain themes of protection against surrounding influences.
To the second point, take a quick glance down the line of all the sins that God warns them against. In Leviticus 18:6-18, God warns against incest. In verse 19, He prohibits sexual activity during a woman’s “customary impurity” (to use His words). Leviticus 18:20-23 forbids adultery (20), homosexuality (23), and bestiality (23). The severity of these prohibitions underscores the importance of sexual purity and the boundaries set by God for human relationships. An analysis of Leviticus 24:11 further illustrates the seriousness of violating these moral laws, as it addresses the consequences of blasphemy and the sanctity of God’s name. Through these directives, God emphasizes the need for His people to uphold holiness in every aspect of their lives.
Why does He have to outline each one of these things? Because both Egypt and Canaan were guilty of them.
We like to think we’re so much more advanced than ancient civilizations, but the truth is, people today are just as lustful as they’ve always been. A two-minute Google search will unveil all sorts of ancient sexual practices that are as creative as they are immoral.
But moreover, God recognizes that any one of these acts provides a temptation for any given person on any given day. Instead of indulging in them, God puts up guardrails.
While it’s true that we’re not under the Old Law today, many of these practices are repeated (and forbidden) in the New Testament—specifically, the book of 1 Corinthians: adultery (1 Corinthians 6:9), incest (1 Corinthians 5:1), homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9).
Within the context of 1 Corinthians, the command for us is exactly the same. Whereas God tells Israel to not follow the practices of the Egyptians and the Canaanites, 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us to “come out from among them and be separate.”
Purity—whether in life or in regards to sexual ethics—was always a priority for God and His people. And if it’s a priority for Him, it should be a priority for us, as well.
