Contemplative Bible Reading

Leviticus 19:18 (New International Version)

‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

You may have noticed that I am writing about several verses in the 19th chapter of Leviticus. There is something about these verses that connects the Old Testament laws to the New Testament guidance. That connection peaks my “noticer,” and that is what I write about in this blog.

Do not seek revenge. This is a classic Old Testament law. Of course we should not do this. Revenge is the classic eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. If someone harms me, I go after them and harm them just as much (while I am at it, I might as well harm them a little more than they harmed me to really teach them a lesson).

Do not … bear a grudge. Now we come to the New Testament style of guidance. A grudge is not a physical act like revenge. A grudge is something I hold in my heart. No one can see the grudge in my heart – at least no persons can see it if I am good at hiding it. And believe me, with enough practice, I can be real good at hiding the grudges and hatred in my heart. The answer to all this comes next…

but love your neighbor as yourself. A form of the golden rule comes. This is what I should be doing. This is what should be filling my heart, and when my heart is filled with love my actions should follow to express that love.

These are encouragements to guide how we live our lives. I don’t see them as threats (Stop holding grudges OR ELSE. Start loving your neighbors OR ELSE.) I see them as guidance for a better life now. Grudges don’t bring happiness; they bring misery. Do you want to live in misery? Love brings happiness. Would you rather be happy than miserable?

God, help me fill my heart with love for my neighbor. Help me rid my heart of grudges and festering hatred. Help me to enjoy the wonderful life that you have given me.