Here we learn more of ways that are pleasing to God, and the second verse gives us a key word for the chapter, “Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.”
Verse 3. Notice, dear boys and girls, that the mother comes first. “Ye shall fear every man his mother and his father.” God sets here first the one that naturally we are not so much afraid of, and the one whom we are apt to impose upon. He knows our hearts down to the youngest.
Verse 4. None but the true God is to have our thoughts. Perhaps you do not believe in the idols the poor heathen of China and India and some other countries have: you may laugh at them but if God does not fill your heart, you have something that Satan has given you for an idol, instead of God.
Verses 5-8. We have the sacrifice of peace or thank offerings. Unless we read God’s Word every day, and keep in prayerful nearness to Him, we, who are His children, will have only stale offerings to give of praise to God.
If we are saved, we ought to be happy in the Lord, but, remember, the Word of God every day, and constant prayer, are needed if we are to grow in the new life given to us by Him.
Verses 9-18 tell us of thought and care for the poor, and ways of conduct toward one another that would be acceptable to God. In verse 18, we have the command to love one’s neighbor as oneself. None but One ever did this, and that is the Lord Jesus, as we plainly see from Luke 10:25- 3725And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? 27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. 28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. 29But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? 30And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? 37And he said, He that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. (Luke 10:25‑37).
Even to things we might think of too small interest for God to take notice, the people are taught the meaning of “Be ye holy; for I am holy,” in this chapter. So we can truly say that we to-day, who belong to the Lord by faith in the precious blood of Jesus, have not been left to decide about our conduct in anything. All that we should be in thought, in word, and in behavior, is written down for God’s children in His Word.
Fifteen times in this chapter the words are repeated “I am the Lord,” or “I am the Lord your God.” Is He your Lord, and your God?