An oft repeated statement in the book of Leviticus as the Lord is giving to Moses the law for Israel is, “I am the Lord” or “I am the Lord your God.” This is especially prevalent in chapters 18-22. Let us consider some parts of His law to which this phrase is connected.
“I am the Lord” proclaims God’s authority – that He has the inherent right to rule and to command men. And men have the duty and obligation to obey. “You shall observe My judgment and keep My ordinances, to walk in them: I am the Lord” (Lev 18:4).
“I am the Lord” proclaims God’s right to define moral law and man’s duty to keep himself morally pure. “None of you shall approach anyone who is near of kin to him, to uncover his nakedness: I am the Lord…Therefore you shall keep my ordinance, so that you do not commit any of these abominable customs which were committed before you, and that you do not defile yourselves by them: I am the Lord” (Lev 18:6, 30).
“I am the Lord” proclaims that God should be reverenced and His name not profaned. “And you shall not swear by My name falsely, nor shall you profane the name of your God: I am the Lord” (Lev 19:12).
The list could go on. That was all in the law of Moses for the Israelites. These things written aforetime were written for our learning. But let us see that God expects of all men today these same things of which we have spoken.
God expects men today to keep His commandments. “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments” (Jn 14:15), and “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters” (1 Cor 17:19).
God expects men today to obey His laws of morality. “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality” (1 Thess 4:3).
God expects men today to reverence Him and not profane His name in their speech. “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb 12:28). “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear” (Eph 4:29).
Why should you keep His commandments, follow His standard of morality and reverence Him in holy conduct and speech? Because of who God is: “I am the Lord.” “I am the Lord” is reason enough!
– Larry Jones