7# Kedoshim (Lev. 19:1-20:27) (‘YOU SHALL BE’ HOLY) (4-24-21)

(THE LORD COMMANDS:‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I THE LORD YOUR GOD AM HOLY’)!

(1 Peter 1:13-16)

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As OBEDIENT children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be HOLY yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY."



In his first epistle, the Apostle Shimon Peter exhorts his readers unto Holiness! If Holiness is to be understood as separateness, and God is proclaimed as the HOLY ONE, is it not absurd for Him to challenge human beings to be holy as He is holy. Isn't this the same as telling us to be divine? It seems quite unfair to give man a Commandment he cannot hope to keep.

What can a man do to achieve Holiness? One might suppose that a great quest was in order. Some personal work or achievement should be necessary to reach Holiness. One might suppose that total subjection of the flesh and mortification of the physical inclination is necessary to achieve Holiness. One might suppose that complete, monk-like separation from the natural world of human beings is necessary to reach Holiness. How does one become Holy?

What does a Holy person look like? Do you picture a priest or a nun? Maybe a preacher? Perhaps you imagine a Chassidic Jew with a full beard, side locks and black hat. Leviticus 19-20 contains the Bible's description of what Holiness looks like.

To be made Holy, a thing or person must be separated from its context, clearly defined by God. He is the sanctifier. Yet somehow, we are to contribute to that holiness. For in the Hebrew Scriptures as well as The New Testament, God Commands us: ‘TO BE HOLY, AS HE IS (IN THE SAME WAY) HOLY’.



(BIBLICAL MANIFESTED HOLINESS: ‘HONESTY – JUSTICE – DO NOT COMMIT FRAUD’)

(Leviticus 19:11-15)

'You shall Not Steal, nor deal Falsely, nor Lie To One Another. And you shall Not Swear by My Name Falsely, nor shall you Profane The Name Of Your God: I Am The Lord. 'You shall Not Cheat Your Neighbor, nor Rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning. You shall Not Curse The Deaf, nor put a Stumbling Block Before The Blind, but shall Fear Your God: I Am The Lord. 'You shall do No Injustice In Judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty.”



The demand for justice and fair jurisprudence is an ever present concern in the Torah. ‘FAIR COURTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF A BIBLICAL ECONOMY. It is part of being GOD’S HOLY PEOPLE. Three commandments are codified from this passage for the traditional numeralization:



(Commandment Number 273): ‘DO NOT PERVERT CIVIL JUSTCE’

(Commandment Number 275): ‘DO NOT BE PARTIAL TO A LITIGANTAT TRIAL’

(Commandment Number 177): ‘TREATING LITIGANTS IMPARTIALLY’



The laws of ‘FAIR TRIALS’ actually extend to every human relationship. In a very real sense, weare constantly like judges on a jury, having to weigh motive, decide between opinions, settle disputes and determine Fairness. Whether at home or at work, in marriage or in raising children, in the congregation or out of the congregations, with friends, neighbors, family, employers, employees regardless of the situation, we find ourselves having to make decisions and judgments. A Holy Person will take this responsibility very seriously. A wise person will know when to make judgment and when to withhold it.

The Commandments of God define Holy Behavior for all who respond to the call of God: ‘TO BE HOLY, AS THE LORD YOUR GOD IS HOLY’. All of The Commandments of Torah, in some aspect or another, Reveal THE CHRIST-LIKE NATURE OF JESUS (CHRISTIAN). They each reveal some element of His person or character. The Commandments are The Will and Wisdom of God. As Jesus said: “Not My will, but Yours be done” (Luke22:42)…



(THE LORD COMMANDS:‘YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I THE LORD YOUR GOD AM HOLY’)!