Were the Leviticus laws just for the Jews?

Question

Or what?

Answer 1

Yes, they were only for the Jews. Gentiles have only 7 Noahide laws to follow. Some people seem to think that because the Bible says Jews are chosen, that they have a special admittance to heaven. Such is not the case. Being chosen means that Jews have agreed to God's covenant and will joyfully follow His 613 commandments!
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Answer 2

Look at the last verse of leviticus... "34 These are the commands the LORD gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites." While many cultures have adopted the "levitical laws" for how to live in a society, they were written for the Israelites... Anyone who wishes to be "grafted into the vine" [and receive the blessings and the promises for the Children of God] needs to profess that the laws are good and wise. Of course, you'll notice that I didn't say "follow all of them"... Many were to show Man how the intent of an action can be important... Such as not eating a piece of baby cow that was cooked in it's mother's milk... That would be turning something meant to give life into a vehicle for pleasure in the death of the helpless offspring! Much of Leviticus can be read in the context of "the very nature of things", and can be profitable in many cultures. "Sin equals Death" is a very popular one that we receive over and over in the movies... For the israelites, the bleeding of an innocent animal helped them to understand the severity and true, sober pain that sin causes in the earth (or, the world, if we wish to talk only of people.)
The law and the prophets can be summed up very simply, though... Love your God with all your heart, soul and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself... Therefore, I feel that we have a LONG way to go before we can consider the whole book!
Also, "To obey is better than sacrifice..."
How true!
Peace!

Answer 3

Yes.
In the New Testament the Apostles advised the Gentile Christians to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, blood and sexual immorality, which is a short hand for all of the 'do nots' in Leviticus.
Christians in general have two approaches to the Torah.
One is that it was done away with, which is false. (see Matt5)
The other (Messianic view) is that we should keep it all, which is also false. (See Acts.)
The glory, and burden, of being Jewish is keeping the Law. Jesus didn't 'do away' with it, on the other hand it wasn't given to Gentiles, although the moral and ethical aspects of it carried over into the Apostle's teachings to the Gentiles.
Hope that helps.

Answer 4

Leviticus shows us that NO MATTER how hard we try we can NEVER be good enough on our own. It shows us our NEED for a Savior, Jesus. Who Died for us because He is perfectly loving, holy and just.

And to all the Homosexual related comments....

The Bible DOES say That it is a sin BUT

In 1cor 6:9-12 it says that some people WERE (past tense) homosexuals who had become hetrosexual.

and when Jesus was asked what the most important commandmant/law was he said LOVE not judge Mark 12:30-31

Answer 5

These were given to the Israelites. Jews were a name back then. These were laws that YHVH handed to them personally and they were for ALL people to follow who wanted to be blessed by YHVH. Gentiles (non-Jews) were told of these laws through the generations. Many Gentiles converted and were circumcised and became believers and followers of YHVH. Later, after Jesus's life on earth, St. Paul spoke to the Hebrews and Gentiles and showed them that ALL people are God's children.

Christians follow these laws today. We have them compacted into 10 Commandments but I believe the Jews follow over 600 laws.

Answer 6

According to scripture, when Jesus died on the cross, those laws became null and void. Leviticus laws were given to the Jews at that time to observe. But you don't have to slaughter a lamb anymore, because He's already been slaughtered once for all of us.

Answer 7

They were part of the covenant made between YHWH and "the sons of Israel". There are apperance, dietary and various other restrictions that are not adhered to by believers today because they were merely a shadow of the fullness revealed in Christ.

To address that one person who made a comment about homosexuals...there are various other references to homosexuality being a sin in the New Testament found in Romans and 1st Corinthians to name two but there are others.

Answer 8

ABSOLUTELY.
The Jews have to follow 613 laws, and the non-Jews have to follow the 7 laws of Noah.
For more info:
http://noahidenations.com/

Answer 9

The moral laws stand. They are based on God's law of what is right and wrong, that never changes. The ceremonial and civil laws specifically applied to the sacrificial system and the nation of Israel. They were designed to point towards Jesus as the Messiah, and were fulfilled when He came.

Answer 10

What do you think? Do they mean something to you? Those religious laws were formulated thousands of years ago when man had yet to bring some form of unity to their daily lives that made sense to all the people encountered. No less, do we have the same hope today but not necessarily of the same ilk.