Growing up I wondered why my father had so many rules. He was a generous and loving man, but the laws in our home seemed endless. Dad (with Mom’s unswerving support) set rules for what to wear at school, when to come home, when to go out and play, when to watch TV, who we could play with, how far we could ride our bikes. The list went on.
Yet, behind all of them stood his understanding, his values and his intent. I came to know my dad better from his rules; almost all of them were relational. He had a goal for his children — to build them up and to enrich the family.
Since God later told Israel that he despised religious ritual (Isa. 1:11-17), that it wearied him, why all the rules in Leviticus?
I find in Leviticus, a similar purpose behind the rules of our gracious and loving Father. His rules and law demonstrate his concerns for Israel’s well-being. The rules are mainly about relationships — Israel’s relationship with him and with one another. They are about order, respect, destiny, character and Shalom — well-being. He wants the best for his family. For from Israel, “all the families on earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12:3).
God moved beyond rules when he sent Jesus to show us the way to the Father. Jesus lived the devoted life — devoted to hearing from the Father — doing and saying only what he heard and saw in the Father’s presence. And loving those who touched his life. He delivered his people from religion and immersed them in relationship.
My life of living under my dad’s rules transitioned in adulthood. We had a deep, loving and abiding relationship until he went to sleep in Christ, his Savior and Lord.
Are you living a life of rules or have you forsaken them to walk with your Father into that loving, abiding relationship he deeply desires for you?
Dr. David C. Alves
