Leviticus 19 is this week’s Old Testament reading in the Revised Common Lectionary for Sunday coming. It sits alongside Matthew 5: 38-48; the “love your neighbour” passage.
As I read this Leviticus pericope, in the American Standard Version, I couldn’t help think it would be an appropriate Manifesto for God to send door to door to all our politicians as they in turn are out canvassing for our up and coming elections.
For absolute certainty, none of our political parties will be holy as our God is holy. However, I believe that it is our duty to read the Scriptures in one hand and the election manifestos in the other and prayerfully decide which party or politician is closest to God’s manifesto here… or to begin by pushing the furtherest away, furthest from our vote, if that is easier... BUT WE MUST VOTE!
Let these words of Scripture soak through your soul as you surmise...
1 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them: You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.
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9 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien: I am the Lord your God.
11 You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; and you shall not lie to one another.
12 And you shall not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God: I am the Lord.
13 You shall not defraud your neighbour; you shall not steal; and you shall not keep for yourself the wages of a labourer until morning.
14 You shall not revile the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind; you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
15 You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbour.
16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbour: I am the Lord.
17 You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbour, or you will incur guilt yourself. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the Lord.
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