The Pulpit Commentary — Leviticus — Section 314

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Unworlalineu. Ch. xviii.; cf. Rom. xii. 2. The next element in the morality required of the Lord's people is non-conformity to this world. We are such imitative creatures that we are prone to do as our neighbours do, without questioning the pro- priety of their conduct. Whenever we adopt the ordinary standard of life, without inquiring how it is related to the Divine standard, we a.re conforming to the worldly spirit. The worldly conduct may be much higher in one age than in another, and in one country than in another; but the essence of worldliness is unquestioning conformity to the standard of our neighbowrs. In the present chapter we have a fea1ful picture of the morality, or rather immorality, of Canaan. It may be read in connection with Rom. i. 18-32, as showing the depth to which unrestrained desire may descend. Not only do the Canaanites appear to have indulged in the most reckless licentiousness with nearest relatives, but also to have indulged in sodomy, and even to have descended to carnal intercourse with beasts. 'l'hat is to say; they gave up their high vantage-ground as intellectual and moral beings, and descended to the level of brute beasts (cf. 2 Pet. ii. 12). We would require to go to the dark places of heathenism, which are still "full of the habitations of cruelty" (Ps. lxxiv. 20), to find an exact parallel at present for Canaan. The progress of civilization has smoothed the surface of society, however little it may have touched its heart. But what we must notice is that the principle of worldly conformi~y may be just as active in our boasted civilization, as in the darkest haunts of heathemsm. I. THE moHEST CIVILIZATION IS 'NO BUF'FIOIENT REASON FOB A CERTAIN LINE OP CONDUCT. The Israelites had been da veloped in Egypt, which was then at the ~ead of civilization. It would be a very great temptation, therefore, to these liberated bondmen to walk according to the customs and ordinances of Egypt. They would ~e tempted to do many things on no higher ground than that they had seen them done in Egypt. No wonder, therefore, that the Lord admonishes them in these terms : "After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do" (ver. 3). And yet is not this exactly the position taken up by many at this hour? . They do many things " on the very highest authority." The reason of the course, its moral value, is never thought or, but simply the precedent which can be produced for it. This OH, XVUL 1-30.] THE BOOK OF LEVITICUS. 279