Shining a light on the weekly Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly® 

Substance

Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy. . . . thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed.

Holiness is a recurring theme in Leviticus. (The word holy appears there more than in any other biblical book.) Living amid pagan beliefs and practices, the Israelites needed to safeguard their purity. God’s people are to be holy (a mandate repeated in 20:7, 26)—to honor their unadulterated, Godlike identity. 

A commentary suggests: “The character of God stands behind the moral duties for humanity. Other ancient religions did not appeal to the person, nature, and actions of their deities as the basis for moral thinking and acting . . . . Often the pagan deities were more sensual and debased in their actions and character than the mortals who strove to worship them. Not so with Yahweh, who is holiness itself and a model for all.”

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

The Bible Lessons serve as weekly study guides as well as the sermon in every Christian Science Sunday church service. Learn more at BibleLesson.com

Resources quoted in this issue

GT: Keck, Leander E., et al., eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 1, Introduction to the Pentateuch. Genesis. Exodus. Leviticus. Numbers. Deuteronomy. Nashville: Abingdon, 2015.

RR: Davids, Peter H. New International Biblical Commentary—James. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1989.

SIDEBAR: McKnight, Edgar V., and Christopher Church. Hebrews–James. Macon, GA: Smyth & Helwys Pub., 2004.

Cit. 15: Laymon, Charles M. The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary on the Bible. Nashville: Abingdon, 1971.

Cit. 19: Soards, Marion L. New International Biblical Commentary—1 Corinthians. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1999; Keck, Leander E., et al., eds. The New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 9, Acts, Introduction to Epistolary Literature, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians. Nashville: Abingdon, 2015.

Cit. 21: Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1. Edinburgh: Saint Andrew, 1955. Revised and updated by Saint Andrew, 2001. Reprinted as The New Daily Study Bible: The Gospel of Matthew, Vol. 1. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001–04.

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Letters
Letters & Conversations
September 6, 2021
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit