The Bible is filled with amazing treasures of truth that awaken the deeper purposes of God in our hearts. But have you ever read verses in the Old Testament that make you wonder if some parts of the Bible are outdated or irrelevant?
We are told not to cut our sideburns in Leviticus 19:27. In this same text we are told not to get tattoos. The Book of Leviticus also, however, says not to eat pork. Once I had a very uptight Christian talking to me about how sinful it was to get tattoos at the very time this person was eating a ham sandwich. I found this very ironic and pointed out the context of these two laws from the book of Leviticus.
It is very important that we not try to spiritualize or even moralize something that had nothing to do with the Moral Law of the Old Testament. This is where people get so confused. There are three categories of Old Testament Law: Civil, Moral and Ceremonial. Understanding these categories will help dispel any notion that the Bible isn’t relevant.
Moral Law never changes. Moral Laws in the Old Testament such as don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t commit adultery, etc still remain today. Civil Laws were rules to govern civilization as communities were established. These laws determined how to manage waste without a sewer system, how to safely build structures people would dwell in, etc. Ceremonial Laws dealt more with rules for the priesthood such as rules for not mixing two kinds of garments, cutting your sideburns, getting tattoos, etc.
Understanding the history and context of what is being said helps us put things into proper perspective. This also keeps us from disqualifying portions of the Bible even if it challenges our lifestyle. God’s Word is a wonderful tool to introduce us to the pathway of moving from merely existing to truly living.
A wonderful fireplace is such a joy as long as the burning logs stay within the boundaries of the fireplace. Just one log taken from the safe boundaries and placed in the middle of the living room can do untold damage. At first it could even give the idea of a resembling effect. A small flame producing warmth to those near it in the room. As the carpet catches fire and the flames begin to spread its only a matter of time before the entire house is totally destroyed.
Read your Bible, both Old and New Testaments. Stay the course and pay attention to the things God says are the important things in our lives wether these things are your preferences or not. God’s truth exists to protect us.
Jude 1:21 Stay always within the boundaries where God’s love can reach and bless you. TLB
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