1, 2. a) What did we see in the previous article? b) What will we analyze in this article?
In the previous article, we discussed some helpful tips based on Leviticus chapter 19. For example, in verse 3 we read that Jehovah told the Israelites to respect their parents. And we saw that today we can follow that advice by caring for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of our parents. In the same verse, God reminded his people of the importance of keeping the Sabbath. And while we don't have to obey that law, we learned a principle: that we should regularly take time to attend to matters related to our service to God. In this way, we will show that we are striving to be holy, as Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 say.
In this article, we will continue our discussion of Leviticus 19. How does this chapter teach us to treat those with physical limitations with kindness, to be honest in business, and to show love to others? Since we want to be holy like God, let's see what we can learn.
TREAT THOSE WITH PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS WITH KINDNESS
3, 4. According to Leviticus 19:14, how were the Israelites to treat the deaf and the blind?
(Read Leviticus 19:14). Jehovah wanted his servants to be considerate of those with physical limitations . For example, he told the Israelites not to curse a deaf person, either by threatening him or wishing him harm. To do that would be a great evil! Not hearing what they said about him, the deaf man could not defend himself.
Also, in verse 14 we read that God told his people not to put "an obstacle before a blind man." One reference work comments on people with physical limitations: "In the ancient Middle East, people used to take advantage of them and mistreat them." Someone may have put an obstacle in front of a blind man to hurt him or to make fun of him. What cruelty! With the command at Leviticus 19:14, Jehovah helped his people to see that they should treat those with limitations with compassion.
5. How can we compassionately treat those with physical limitations?
Jesus treated those with physical limitations with compassion. Let us remember the message he sent to John the Baptist: "The blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised." And, seeing Jesus' miracles, “all the people […] praised God” (Luke 7:20-22; 18:43). Christians willingly imitate Jesus and are kind, compassionate and patient with those who have physical limitations. Of course, Jehovah has not given us power to perform miracles. But he has given us the honor of giving those who are physically or spiritually blind good news: that there will soon be a paradise where mankind will enjoy perfect physical and spiritual health.(Luke 4:18). This message is already causing many to praise God.
ILLUSTRATION:
According to Leviticus 19:14, how should we treat the deaf and the blind? (See paragraphs 3 to 5). *
LET'S BE HONEST IN BUSINESS
6. How does Leviticus chapter 19 help us understand what the Ten Commandments said?
Some verses in Leviticus chapter 19 give more details that help us understand what the Ten Commandments said. For example, the eighth simply said, "Do not steal" (Ex. 20:15). Someone might conclude that, in order to obey that commandment, it was enough to make sure that they didn't take anything that wasn't theirs. But he could be stealing in other ways.
7. How could a merchant violate the eighth commandment?
A merchant could confidently state that he had never kept anything that did not belong to him. But did he always behave honestly in his business? At Leviticus 19:35, 36, Jehovah said: “Do not be dishonest in measuring length, weight, or volume. Use exact scales, exact weights, an exact measure for dry products and an exact measure for liquids.” If a merchant used inaccurate scales or measurements to deceive his customers, he would actually be stealing from them. This becomes even clearer when looking at other verses in Leviticus chapter 19.
8. How did Leviticus 19:11-13 help the Jews to apply the principle behind the eighth commandment, and how does it help us?
(Read Leviticus 19:11-13). Leviticus 19:11 begins by saying, "Do not steal." And verse 13 connects theft with dishonesty in business by saying, "Do not defraud your neighbor." So, if someone is dishonest in their business or employment dealings, they are stealing. The eighth commandment prohibited stealing, but the details Leviticus added helped the Jews understand how they could apply the principle behind that law. It is good for us to ponder how Jehovah views dishonesty and theft. Let's ask ourselves: "In view of what Leviticus 19:11-13 says, should I make any changes, especially in my business dealings or in my work habits?"
9. How did the law found at Leviticus 19:13 protect workers?
There is another field in which the Christian who has a business must make sure that he is honest. Leviticus 19:13 ends by saying, "Do not keep a hired worker's wages overnight until the next morning." In Israel, most people farmed, and those who worked for others were paid at the end of each day. If a worker did not receive his salary at the end of a day, he was left without the money he needed to feed his family that day. Jehovah explained: “He is in need and his life depends on his wages.” —Deut. 24:14, 15; Matt. 20:8.
10. What lesson do we learn from Leviticus 19:13?
Nowadays, many people do not receive their salary every day, but rather once or twice a month. But the principle of Leviticus 19:13 is still valid. Some bosses take advantage of their employees by paying them far less than is fair. They know that these people may have no choice but to continue working even if they are paid a pittance. In a sense, these bosses are keeping “the salary of a hired worker” . If a Christian has a business with employees, he should take this matter very seriously. Let's see what else Leviticus chapter 19 teaches us.
ILLUSTRATION:
In view of what Leviticus 19:11-13 says, what should the Christian ask himself about his business and labor practices? (See paragraphs 8 to 10). *
WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS WE LOVE OURSELVES
11, 12. What did Jesus emphasize when he quoted from Leviticus 19:17, 18?
Jehovah does not just tell us not to harm others. This is clearly seen in Leviticus 19:17, 18 (read it). There we read this command: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” . This is essential for the Christian who wants to please God.
Let's see how Jesus emphasized the importance of the command found in Leviticus 19:18. On one occasion, a Pharisee asked him: "What is the most important commandment of the Law?". Jesus replied that “the first and greatest of the commandments” is to love Jehovah with all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. And then he quoted from Leviticus 19:18 saying, “The second, which is similar, says: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself'” (Matt. 22:35-40). There are endless ways to show love to your neighbor, but Leviticus chapter 19 will help us identify some of them.
13. How did Joseph act in harmony with Leviticus 19:18?
One way to show love to your neighbor is by applying what Leviticus 19:18 says: “Do not take revenge on the children of your people or hold a grudge against them.” Almost everyone knows someone who has held a grudge against a colleague at work or school, or even a family member for years. Let us remember that Joseph's 10 half-brothers resented him so much that their hatred led them to do something terrible to him (Gen. 37:2-8, 25-28). But he did not repay them with the same coin. When he had authority and the opportunity to take revenge on them presented itself, he preferred to show them mercy. Instead of holding a grudge against them, he acted in harmony with what was later written in Leviticus 19:18 (Gen. 50:19-21).
14. How do we know that the principles on which Leviticus 19:18 was based are still valid today?
The Christian who wants to please God should imitate the example of Joseph and forgive instead of holding a grudge or taking revenge. This fits in with the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus said that we should forgive those who sin against us (Matt. 6:9, 12). Similarly, the apostle Paul gave this advice to Christians: “Beloved, do not take revenge” (Rom. 12:19). And he also told them: “Keep bearing with one another and generously forgiving one another even if one has a reason to complain about another” (Col. 3:13). Jehovah's principles do not change. The principles on which the law of Leviticus 19:18 was based remain valid today.
15. What example helps us understand the importance of forgiving and forgetting?
Let's take an example. Emotional wounds are like physical wounds: some are minor and others are serious. For example, when opening an envelope we may get a small cut on our finger. It may hurt a lot at first, but most likely it will heal in a couple of days and we won't even remember where we cut ourselves. Similarly, a friend may say or do something without thinking that he offends or hurts us, but it is not hard for us to forgive him. Now, if we get a deep wound, the doctor may have to sew it up and bandage it. If we didn't stop touching it or poking at it, we would make it worse ourselves. Unfortunately, thatis what someone who is very offended might do. If he didn't stop thinking about the emotional wound he has suffered and the damage they have done to him, that grudge would only be hurting himself. Surely it is much better to follow the advice of Leviticus 19:18.
ILLUSTRATION:
Series of images: 1. A sister smiles happily even though she has a bandaged finger. 2. The sister has a bandaged hand and is frowning as she picks at the wound.
It's no good rummaging around in a literal wound. Something similar happens with offenses: instead of continuing to think about them, it is better to forgive and forget. (See paragraph 15). *
16. According to Leviticus 19:33, 34, how were the Israelites to treat foreign residents, and what do we learn from this?
When Jehovah commanded the Israelites to love their neighbors, he did not mean to love only people of their own race or nationality. He also told them to love the foreigners who lived with them. This is clearly stated in Leviticus 19:33, 34 (read it). They should see the foreigner "as a native of the country" and love him as they loved themselves. For example, they had to allow foreign residents and the poor to collect leftover crops (Lev. 19:9, 10). Christians must also apply the principle of loving foreigners today (Luke 10:30-37). How? There are millions of immigrants in the world, and some may live near us. It is important that we treat these men, women and children with dignity and respect.
AN IMPORTANT WORK NOT MENTIONED IN LEVITICUS 19
17, 18. (a) What do Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 encourage us to do? (b) What all-important work did the apostle Peter say we should do?
Both Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15 say that God's servants must be holy. There are many other verses in Leviticus chapter 19 that help us see what we can do to please Jehovah. We have analyzed some verses that show some of the things we should do and some of the things we should avoid. * And we have seen that the Christian Greek Scriptures indicate that these principles are still applicable today. But the apostle Peter adds something else.
Surely we Christians engage in various spiritual activities and do many good deeds. But Peter singled out one in particular. Before encouraging us to be holy in all our conduct, he said, “Prepare your minds to act” (1 Pet. 1:13, 15). What was he referring to? He explained that Christ's anointed brothers would proclaim everywhere the excellences of the one who called them (1 Pet. 2:9). Today, all Christians have the honor of doing this very important work, which is the one that benefits people the most. And what a special privilege God's holy people have to preach and teach regularly and enthusiastically (Mark 13:10). In conclusion, let us strive to apply the principles found in Leviticus 19. In this way we will show that we love our God and our neighbor, and that we want to be holy in all our conduct.
WHAT HAS LEVITICUS CHAPTER 19 TEACHED US ABOUT THESE THINGS?
Treat those with physical limitations with kindness.
Jehovah wanted his servants to be considerate of those with physical limitations. For example, he told the Israelites not to curse a deaf person, either by threatening him or wishing him harm. To do that would be a great evil! Not hearing what they said about him, the deaf man could not defend himself.
Be honest in all things.
Some bosses take advantage of their employees by paying them far less than is fair. They know that these people may have no choice but to continue working even if they are paid a pittance. This teaches us that these bosses are keeping "the salary of a salaried worker." If a Christian has a business with employees, he should take this matter very seriously.
Show love to others.
This teaches us that the Christian who wants to please God should imitate the example of Joseph and forgive instead of holding a grudge or taking revenge. This fits in with the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus said that we should forgive those who sin against us. "Beloved, do not take revenge" "Keep putting up with each other and generously forgiving each other even if one has a reason to complain about another."
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