In this video listen to Leviticus 18 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In Leviticus 18 God’s people are told they should not copy the behaviour of those in the world around them, very specifically the sexual practices of the world around us. The Coffman commentary explains that to “uncover their nakedness” was a figure of speech meaning to get married to. Here the Israelites were told not to intermarry with close relatives.

This was common in the ancient world, and there are previous examples of it in the Bible with the patriarchs. It was certainly common in ancient Egypt in the royal family of the 18th dynasty. Here in Leviticus, God steps in to stop this practice. Now this type of law is common worldwide, taking a leaf from scripture.

After the rules against marrying relatives, it then gives other ru ...