Leviticus 18:6-10: a reflection

6“‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am the LORD. 7“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness. 8“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness. 9“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad. 10“‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness; for theirs is your own nakedness.

In the laws given to Israel, God sets boundaries around the family, guarding the relationships within it from violation. None of you shall approach any close relatives, he says, drawing lines that protect the members of a household from being harmed or exploited by one another. These laws, however unfamiliar their form, express God's care for the safety and integrity of the family, protecting its members, especially the vulnerable within it, and preserving the family as a place of safety rather than exploitation. God guards the family, setting boundaries that keep its relationships safe and its members protected.

Notice God's concern in these laws: the safety and integrity of the family. The boundaries God draws are meant to protect the members of a household from being harmed or violated by one another, to keep the family a place of safety rather than exploitation. God cares that the family be a safe place, that its relationships not be twisted into harm, that the vulnerable within it be protected. The laws guard the family, setting limits that preserve its integrity and shield its members. God is not indifferent to what happens within the family; he cares that it be a place of safety and right relationship, and he sets boundaries to keep it so. The protection of the family and its members is God's concern.

That is worth taking to heart, for God cares about the safety and integrity of the family, and sets boundaries to protect it. We can fail to see how much God cares about the family being a place of safety and right relationship, protected from harm and exploitation; but God set boundaries to guard the family, to keep its members safe. God is not indifferent to what happens within families; he cares that they be places of safety and protection. Honor the boundaries that keep the family safe, and care, as God does, for the protection of its members, especially the vulnerable. Care, as God does, for the safety and integrity of the family, honoring the boundaries that protect its members from harm and keep it a place of safety, as God set limits to guard the relationships within the household; for God is not indifferent to what happens within families but cares that they be places of safety and right relationship, and we do well to protect the family and its members as he intends.

Lord, in the laws given to Israel, you set boundaries around the family, guarding the relationships within it from violation. None of you shall approach any close relatives, you say, drawing lines that protect the members of a household from being harmed or exploited by one another. These laws, however unfamiliar their form, express your care for the safety and integrity of the family, protecting its members, especially the vulnerable within it. You guard the family, setting boundaries that keep its relationships safe. Show me your concern in these laws: the safety and integrity of the family. The boundaries you draw are meant to protect the members of a household from being harmed or violated by one another, to keep the family a place of safety rather than exploitation. You care that the family be a safe place, that its relationships not be twisted into harm, that the vulnerable within it be protected. You are not indifferent to what happens within the family; you care that it be a place of safety and right relationship. Take that to my heart, for you care about the safety and integrity of the family, and set boundaries to protect it. I can fail to see how much you care about the family being a place of safety and right relationship, protected from harm; but you set boundaries to guard the family. You are not indifferent to what happens within families. Help me honor the boundaries that keep the family safe, Lord, and care, as you do, for the protection of its members, especially the vulnerable, that the family may be a place of safety as you intend.