JUSTICE AND THE LOVE OF NEIGHBOUR.
Leviticus 19:1-2, Leviticus 19:15-18.
In the midst of Jesus’ best-known ethical sermon, the Lord taught the foundational motive for right Christian living: ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect’ (Matthew 5:48).
In many respects Leviticus 19 is a reshaping, retelling and applying of the ten commandments. Each of the commandments (except the first) is covered, with reference to the living-out of God ‘s laws in Israel’s life. The first commandment is assumed throughout, and governs all the others: because “I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).
The chosen section deals with certain ethical matters, framed in this case for the judicial and neighbourly aspects of daily living. The refrain throughout is “I am the LORD,” or “I am the LORD your God.” A holy walk with God is best seen in our attitudes to others.
In the first instance, those who sit in judgment are given certain clear standards. It applies to all eras, and all jurisdictions: no partiality, one way or the other (Leviticus 19:15). Then there are those who fancy themselves as both judge and jury, announcing that ‘hanging is too good for that one!’ – this is to “stand against the blood of your neighbour” (Leviticus 19:16).
Not to rebuke a neighbour (where appropriate) is to be complicit in his sin, and is in fact an act of hatred. Vengeance belongs to God (Romans 12:19), and a grudge is soul-destroying (to you if not to the neighbour!)
It is strange that Jesus quoted people as saying, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy’ (Matthew 5:43). This is not found anywhere in the Old Testament, but perhaps could be a total distortion (on their part, not His) of this passage: which happens to mention both hatred of brethren (but only to forbid it), and love of neighbour, in the same paragraph (Leviticus 19:17-18).
Asked for His summary of the Law, Jesus coupled the commandment to 'love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind' (cf. Deuteronomy 6:5) with this commandment to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-40). The Apostle Paul summed up the commandments (Romans 13:9), and the law (Galatians 5:14), in this same word: “you shall love your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).
