Leviticus 21:1-6: a reflection

1The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, ‘A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people, 2except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother, 3and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself. 4He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself. 5“‘They shall not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards or make any cuttings in their flesh. 6They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the bread of their God. Therefore they shall be holy.

God gives the priests special instructions to keep themselves from certain defilements, and he names the reason: They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD. Because they served God, represented him, and bore his name in their office, they were to live in a way that did not profane that name, but honored it. Their conduct reflected on the God they served; and so they were called to a holiness that would honor, not profane, his name.

Notice the reason given for the priests' holiness: that they not profane the name of their God. They bore God's name in their service; and their conduct, good or bad, reflected on that name, honoring or profaning it. Their holiness was not merely for their own sake, but for the sake of the name they bore; unholy conduct would profane God's name, while holy conduct would honor it. Because they represented God, their lives were to be such as would honor his name, not bring it into disrepute.

That is worth taking to heart, for we who belong to God also bear his name, and our conduct reflects on it. As God's people, we are identified with him, bear his name before those who watch; and our conduct honors or profanes that name. When we act badly, we bring dishonor on the God we represent; when we act rightly, we honor his name. Remember that you bear God's name before those who watch, and that your conduct reflects on him, honoring or profaning his name. Do not, by unholy conduct, profane the name of the God you represent; live in a way that honors his name, mindful that you bear it before others. Let your life honor the name of God you bear, rather than profaning it, as the priests were called to holiness that they might not profane the name of their God but honor it, since they served and represented him.

Lord, you give the priests special instructions to keep themselves from certain defilements, and you name the reason: they shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD. Because they served you, represented you, and bore your name in their office, they were to live in a way that did not profane that name, but honored it. Their conduct reflected on the God they served. Show me the reason given for the priests' holiness: that they not profane the name of their God. They bore your name in their service; and their conduct, good or bad, reflected on that name. Their holiness was not merely for their own sake, but for the sake of the name they bore; unholy conduct would profane your name, while holy conduct would honor it. Take that to my heart, for I who belong to you also bear your name, and my conduct reflects on it. As your person, I am identified with you, bear your name before those who watch; and my conduct honors or profanes that name. When I act badly, I bring dishonor on the God I represent; when I act rightly, I honor his name. Help me remember that I bear your name before those who watch, and that my conduct reflects on you. Keep me from profaning the name of the God I represent by unholy conduct; help me live in a way that honors your name, Lord, mindful that I bear it before others. Let my life honor the name of you I bear.