DCLM CHILDREN STS LECON 20-CLARIFICATION OF MORAL LAWS
TEXT: Leviticus 17:1-16; 18:1-30; 19:1-37
To classify means to make something clear or to explain a matter in a way that people will understand. Moral laws are divine instructions given by God to regulate the behaviour Of His people. This will then ensure the preservation of holiness and maintenance of an intimate relationship with God.
The children of Israel lived in Egypt as slaves for about four hundred years. Then God, in fulfilment of His promise to Abraham, brought them out through miraculous signs and wonders. Now they were on their way to
Canaan, the Promised Land. God in His love and wisdom gave His people laws to guide their conduct in the land of promise, He did not want them to copy the idolatrous lifestyle of the people of the land. Some of these laws applied specifically to Israel under the old covenant, while others are still very relevant and applicable to our understanding,” of the covenant. Many of these laws are repeated and emphasised in the New Testament. This is to show us that God’s word is perfect and stands forever.
The world in which we live now is still as wicked, dirty and filled with all sorts of abominable acts as it was in the Old Covenant period. Only obedience to God’s laws and righteous standards can set us apart from all worldly influences. Do not be carried away by all the bad things that the people of the world do. They do not have regard for God’s laws neither do they consider their latter end. You must be different. Obey God’s word and you will eat the fruit of the land and enjoy eternal blessings.
- DIFFERENT KINDS OF MORAL LAWS: Leviticus 17:1-16; 18:1-30; 19:1-37
God is love and He desires to be in fellowship with His people. This was the reason He gave a detailed instruction and moral laws to the children of Israel while on their way to Canaan. These laws were to guide their conduct and relationship with one another. Obedience to these laws will enhance their relationship with God, preserve them as a holy nation and make them separate from the ways of the idol-worshipping nations that surround them. The moral laws prescribed in our Bible passage are in two categories.
(i) Laws about sacrifices — (Leviticus 17:1-16) These laws specify the proper ways of offering animal sacrifices and handling the blood of Such animals. When animals are killed either for sacrifice or meat, the blood must be drained and disposed off. God forbids the consumption of the blood of animals. This law shows the importance of blood in God’s sight, He gave us animal flesh as food, but in taking animal life, we have to acknowledge God as the rightful owner of life.
Believers must recognise that only God has the right to the life of all flesh. The blood as a symbol of life and redemption must be treated as holy by us, the people of God, This law again points to Christ’s atonement, Since Christ gave His life a ransom for many, one must not trample underfoot the blood of Christ by worshipping anything else other than the true God,
(ii) Laws concerning interpersonal relationships — (Leviticus 18:1-30; 19:137). These laws specify the Dos and Don’ts of our relationship within the family setting, with neighbours and others. The law forbids:
Immoral relationships among family members which include parents/ children, brothers/ sisters, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, and any other boy and girl within or outside your family. Such a relationship is known as incest and it is an abomination before God. Children are forbidden from any form of immoral acts. Such will attract curses and God’s judgment on the family.
Homosexual behaviour (immoral relationship between a man and a man or boy, a woman and a woman or girl, a boy and a boy, or a girl and a girl). These also include pornography i.e., watching pictures of naked people on television or smartphones, All these are abominations before God.
Others are sinful acts like relating with animals in an immoral way, idol worship, witchcraft, sorcery, tattooing etc, All these evil and wicked behaviour lead to lose of favour from God, destruction, death and eternal damnation. The Bible confirms that though we are in the world, we are not of the world (John 17:.14-16). Therefore, we are encouraged to abstain from all appearances of evil and be separate so as to serve God in holiness and righteousness.
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DANGER OF DISOBEYING GOD’S LAW:
Leviticus 18:24-30; Deuteronomy 28; 15-68; Psalm 89:30-32
The moral laws given to Israel are not just meant to be memorised and recited at a particular time, They are to be obeyed. Obedience to all these Do’s and Don’ts of the law will attract God’s favour and blessings into your life. However, there are serious consequences for disobeying God’s laws.
The punishment prescribed for disobeying these laws in the Old Testament includes stoning, separation from fellowship with God and congregation of the people. oppression from the enemies, going into captivity, slavery in strange lands and eternal damnation.
Today most of these laws have been incorporated into the constitution of many nations. There are also prescribed punishments for disobeying such laws, More than this, God Himself has such vowed to punish all thrown children into will disobey His word. If they refuse to repent, children will be
to suffer with Satan forever,
To escape such terrible punishment, sinners must repent. ask for forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus. Turn away from all abominable practices and ask Jesus to be their Saviour, Friend and Lord.
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DEMAND FOR HOLY LIVING: Leviticus 19:1-37; 1 Peter 1:15, 16
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israeli and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:1 , 2). This passage expresses the desire and call of God to friends of Jesus. Because God’s children must be like Him. He calls them to manifest and express His divine nature by being separate from the ungodly customs and sins of the surrounding nations and by serving Him in love and righteousness. This call to holiness was first given to Adam and Eve who were created in God’s image in order to reflect God’s character.
Every generation of believers is also called to be “followers of God” (Ephesians 5:1) and “be holy for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19;2b). To be holy, therefore, a friend of Jesus must desire and pray to be sanctified. This experience will root out the Adamic nature from him and he will become holy. A sanctified life Will produce these results spelt out in the HOLINESS acronym.
Humility and absolute surrender to God. The holy child will honour God and his parents. obedience to God is a command concerning the holy day. For New Testament believers, Sunday is our holy day set aside to worship and serve God only for your neighbours and you will not defraud him/ her choir after others’ welfare as you are concerned for them, You must make it a point of duty to intercede for others too. ever put a stumbling block before those with special needs, but rather be first to lead them aright. Encourage the needy and poor by sharing what you have with them. love, kindness and mercy into the lives of your neighbours. Separate from all the pollutions of the world and uphold God’s righteous standard.
QUESTIONS:
- What are moral laws?
- Explain the two aspects of the moral laws.
- Mention specific laws concerning our interpersonal relationships.
- What are the dangers of disobeying God’s laws?
- Describe the life of a holy child using the “holiness acronym,”
- How can a
- (i) sinful child
- (ii) a saved child becomes holy?
MEMORY VERSE: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:1,2).
LESSON: God’s laws are given for us to obey and enjoy His divine presence and blessings.
THOUGHT: 1 will obey God’s word.
ACTIVITY: Sword drill — Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 28: 1; Joshua 1;8; Ezekiel 36:25; 1 Peter 1: 15; Isaiah 1:19
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 83 – THY WORD HAVE 1 HID IN MY HEART
CHORUSES:
(I) I am ready to obey Thy word.
(2) It is Thy word that sets me free.
(3) Believe, it shall be well with you.
HOMEWORK: Read and memorize Joshua 1:8, Then in capital letters write it out neatly on A4 size paper. Colour it, make it beautiful and hang it up as a banner to remind you of what you must do with God’s word.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Clarification
- Moral
- Laws
- Divine
- Regulate.