There is an interesting passage in Leviticus chapter 18. God is speaking of Palestine to Israel at the time they are about to conquer the Promised Land. The whole chapter deals with the abominable practices of the Heathen World, both in Egypt and Palestine (verse 3), at that time. The Israelites, are warned against these disgusting practices. These sins are so despicable that not only is the land defiled but "the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants" verses 25 and 28). In other words, they are enough to make Mother Nature herself sick to her stomach.
As a Christian nation, the early U.S. adapted biblical values as the law of the land. The forbidden incestuous relations are as having sexual relations (the KJV uses "uncover their nakedness") with one's father, mother, sister, granddaughter, aunts, daughter-in-law, and wife's sister unless the wife is dead. Also included was the offering of human sacrifices by having one's "seed pass through the fire to Molech" (verse 21). God warned Israel against defiling the land by these heathen practices, "That the land spue not you out also, as it spued out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 18:28-30).
The gentile world of the first century was not unlike the sinful world our national leadership would have us imitate (Romans 1:18-32). They too have changed the truth of God into a lie and worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator (verse 25). They too advocate vile affections in legalizing "gay marriage". etc. (verse 27). They too, judging by their words, have a "reprobate mind". They too are guilty of advocating fornication and murder (abortion). However, those that know the judgment or decrees of God, know "that they which commit such things are worthy of death, [they] not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (verse 32).
As we begin the twenty first century A.D. (Anno Domin - the year of the Lord), we are reminded of the condition of society at the time of the Flood (Genesis 6:5-8). Not only was the wickedness of man was great but every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). I know, it does sound like a commentary on current TV programing. It was so bad back then, that "it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart" (verse 6). As a result God determined to destroy the world. He said, "I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them" (verse 7). God did give man a second chance when He preserved Noah and his family (1 Peter 3:21-22). Obedience to the Gospel (Romans 1:16ff) and living the Christian life, is the way of salvation for modern man. The question is, will we accept His salvation from sin?
DaleI. Royal, Elk City OK
