Taking holiness seriously, rejecting pagan practice and being separated unto God
Leviticus 20 attaches severe penalties to practices already forbidden in earlier chapters. The chapter belongs to Israel’s national law and its civil penalties are not transferred to the ecclesia. But the moral seriousness remains clear: child sacrifice, occult practice and sexual immorality are incompatible with a people separated to God. The chapter repeatedly returns to sanctification and to God’s act of separating Israel from the nations.
1. God takes the destruction of children seriously
Giving children to Molech is condemned with the severest penalty. (Leviticus 20:2-5). False religion that destroys the vulnerable is an offence against God.
2. Communities must not deliberately look away from serious evil
If the people hide their eyes from Molech worship, God says He will act. (Leviticus 20:4-5). Wilful institutional blindness can become shared guilt.
3. Do not seek guidance from occult practices
Turning to familiar spirits and wizards is condemned. (Leviticus 20:6). Biblical faith seeks guidance from God’s word, not supposed messages from the dead or supernatural intermediaries.
4. The dead are unconscious, so spiritist claims should be rejected
Elsewhere Scripture describes the dead as knowing nothing and awaiting resurrection. Occult consultation is therefore both forbidden and founded on a false view of the dead.
5. Sanctification includes keeping God’s instruction
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy.” (Leviticus 20:7). The next verse joins this with keeping God’s statutes. Holiness is not an inward feeling detached from obedience.
6. God is the one who sanctifies
“I am the LORD which sanctify you.” (Leviticus 20:8). Human effort matters, but holiness begins with belonging to the God who separates a people for Himself.
7. Family obligations are serious
The chapter treats contempt for father or mother severely. (Leviticus 20:9). Family relationships are part of covenant responsibility.
8. Sexual wrongdoing is not morally neutral
The chapter repeats serious prohibitions concerning adultery, incestuous unions, homosexual intercourse and bestiality. These boundaries reflect God’s moral order for Israel and are echoed in New Testament teaching on sexual holiness.
9. Biblical moral conviction should never become permission for personal hatred
Israel’s civil penalties belonged to the Mosaic national system. Christians are called to personal holiness, truthful teaching, compassion and leaving final judgment with God.
10. Do not copy the customs God condemns
Israel must not walk in the manners of the nations being displaced. (Leviticus 20:23). Cultural normality does not establish moral rightness.
11. God makes a difference between clean and unclean
The dietary language returns as part of Israel’s separation. (Leviticus 20:25). Their daily life is to reinforce covenant identity.
12. Separation is positive belonging, not merely withdrawal
God says, “I have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” (Leviticus 20:26). The goal is belonging to God.
13. There is no faithful ‘pick and mix’ obedience
Israel is called to keep God’s statutes rather than select only the convenient ones. The Christian covenant differs from Sinai, but discipleship still rejects the attitude that God may govern only those parts of life we choose.
Closing thought
Leviticus 20 is severe because holiness is serious. Its civil penalties belonged to ancient Israel, but its central appeal remains: reject false worship and sexual corruption, seek God’s guidance alone, and live as people separated to belong to Him.
Practical Readings — Leviticus 20