Parashah Points: Acharei Mot – Why God Cares About Physical Intimacy
In this Parashah Point on Acharei Mot, we explore why the Creator cares about our sexual relationships. Leviticus 18 establishes that sexual intimacy is sacred and sets boundaries to protect families and communities. The teaching explains that commands like “You shall not lie with mankind as with womankind; it is an abomination” are part of God’s moral law and reveal His desire for holiness. Believers are encouraged to honor God with their bodies and relationships, resisting the immoral practices of surrounding cultures.
This Parashah Point examines the Torah portion Acharei Mot and focuses on Leviticus 18. God told Israel not to imitate the immoral practices of Egypt and Canaan but to keep His statutes. The chapter then lists various prohibited sexual relationships—incest, adultery, same‑sex relations, and bestiality—and warns that these abominations defile the land and invite God’s judgment. The teaching affirms that God’s standards for sexual purity are part of His moral law and still apply to believers today.
Leviticus 23 lists the Creator’s appointed times—Sabbath, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Weeks (Pentecost), Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. These festivals are God’s “appointed times” and sacred assemblies, not merely “Jewish holidays.” This Parashah Point explains the significance of each feast and shows how they reveal God’s plan of redemption and point to Messiah. Believers are encouraged to understand and honor these appointed times as part of God’s instruction for His people.
In this week’s Parashah Point about the portion named, Tetzaveh, we look see how God cares about what we wear, just as He had specific garments for the priests to wear as indicated in Exodus 28:2.
The Torah portion Behar (Leviticus 25) introduces the Sabbatical (shemitah) and Jubilee years, during which the land rests, fields lie fallow, and debts are released. This Parashah Point explains that every seventh year debts were forgiven and slaves released, and in the fiftieth year land was returned to its original families. God’s system prevented perpetual poverty and reminded Israel that the land and all provision belong to Him. The teaching encourages believers to trust YHWH’s provision and practice compassion and generosity.
