Leviticus, Chapter 19.

Holiness

(1) Moses spoke to the congregation.  (2) “God is not an agent as we are in this universe; God is holy and we must seek that holiness: (3) just as we know we should sit down quietly with our father and mother, let us set aside time and places specifically for God, the God who has said, ‘I am’. (4) When we sit in times and places we should feel wonder and admiration for creation, including mankind, but we should not worship any part of it – if we are uncritical we will lose sight of God, the God who has said, ‘I am’.  (5) Let us approach God carefully. (6) If we are not at peace with others we should sit down with them at least one more time; (7) but we should not continue to sit down beside those with whom we cannot be at peace (8) – that increases our separation from them as well as from God.

Care

(9) We should be discreet in our charity: we should not harvest up to the edge of our fields or pick all the grapes in our vineyards; (10) if we drop crops we should leave them behind for those who have been left behind and for those who just cannot bear to walk beside us. We should do this because God has said, ‘I am’.

Honesty

(11) We should be honest with ourselves as to whether our words are spoken to deceive. (12) We must never talk about God so as to win the trust of others – how can we speak knowingly about the God who has said, ‘I am’?  (13) We should not promise to do something if we know we will not do it, nor should we encourage others to promise that which we suspect they cannot do and then hold back their wages. (14) We should not laugh at someone who has a hindrance or play tricks on them; we should respect every kind of person because God has said, ‘I am’.

Justice

(15) We should think about the meaning of justice: we should not allow the poor to do bad things because we feel pity; we should challenge the rich and powerful, even those who might try to harm us. (16) We should not make people appear bad to others by saying what is false or what we do not know to be true.  If we know someone is being judged we should not tell stories that are irrelevant to that of which they are accused.  Remember, God has said, ‘I am’.

Reconciliation

(17) We should not hate anyone or say they are completely bad; if we do it reveals our own unacknowledged guilt. (18a) We should challenge those who do wrong to us but we should not seek revenge or bear grudges: if we take the first step towards reconciliation we may start to love our enemies and ourselves. (18b, 19a) These things are difficult but we can do them because God has said, ‘I am’.

Nature

(19b) We are nature so we must respect nature, observing how what we breed, plant and manufacture affects creation. (20) Let us seek sexual intimacy with those who are our equals in spirit. We should not seek intimacy with those over whom we have a surfeit of power, nor should we use intimacy to gain power. (21) If we have done wrong in these matters, we should consider what can be done to lessen the pain: whether we should stand before a person or a congregation for forgiveness. (22) Though the abuse of intimacy brings suffering, there can be reconciliation and love.  These instructions are important – it is through intimacy that nature is sustained.

(23) We are nature so we must think of ways to protect nature. (24) Celebrate and value the food that you eat; (25, 26a) but consider how what you harvest and what you slaughter affects creation. (26b) Nature’s renewal is through cause and effect so do not be deceived by those who show magical tricks and say they have been done by God.

Ourselves

(27) Let us not neglect our appearance, but remember that God loves us. (28) We should not cut ourselves, because though at first this may lessen the agony of our remorse the next day our remorse will be greater.

Our families

(29) We must not control the professions and intimacies of our children – if we do they will remain as children and then become unhappy and pernicious. (30)  We should set aside time and places to be with our families and to think on God’s words, ‘I am’.

Death

(31) We must not deny our mortality with stories of ghosts and unnatural shadows. Let us bring our terror to the God who has said, ‘I am’. (32) Let us be clear: death will come to all so let us admire the faces of the old and remember that God has said, ‘I am’.

Other Countries

(33, 34a) If someone is from a foreign country and has different customs and beliefs about God we must treat them responsibly and with love. (34b) We were once foreigners, poorly paid in a land where they treated us cruelly; but God told me to tell you, ‘I am that I am’; then he took us away and our leaving led to all kinds of calamities for the people of that land.

(35) We must be fair in our trade with every country (36) so that if one day a tyrant should rise and seek to kill our offspring, God will be able to show us other lands, yes, our children may even be protected in that land where we were once slaves.

Conclusion

(37) If these things that I have told you are just we should do them – because God has said, ‘I am’.”

2017