12. GOD PUNISHES NATIONS FOR IMMORALITY.
Leviticus 18:24,25 - "Do not defile yourselves with any of these things; for by all these the nations are defiled, which I am casting out before you. For the land is defiled; therefore I visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants."
God will only put up with wickedness for so long from a nation, then He judges them. Such is still true today (cf. Jer. 18:7-10; Prov. 14:34). I have wondered why God does not punish America for its vile transgressions (e.g., abortion, homosexuality, pride, covetousness, etc.). Perhaps the answer is found in Genesis 18:32.
13. GOD HAS ALWAYS EXPECTED HIS PEOPLE TO HELP THE POOR.
Leviticus 19:9,10 - "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather every grape of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger; I am the LORD your God."
Helping the poor (or rather, enabling them to help themselves) has always been pleasing to God. However, our help for the poor should not extend to the level of perverting justice (cf. 19:15).
14. MAN'S DUTY IS TO REBUKE AND LOVE; GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF VENGEANCE.
Leviticus 19:17,18 - "You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD."
Notice the two commands given pertaining to the neighbor: (1) rebuke him, and (2) love him. Thus, it is possible (though not always easy) to rebuke without harboring any bitterness or hatred. This is the way in which we must correct those in error. A blistering rebuke delivered out of spite is never appropriate. When we are sinned against, we should rebuke the offender with a proper spirit and encourage reconciliation (cf. Luke 17:3,4). This is true love (i.e., seeking what is in their best interest). Even if our rebuke falls on deaf ears, it is not our place to bear grudges or take vengeance. Leave those matters to the One who knows each heart perfectly--Jehovah!
15. WE MUST SHOW RESPECT TO THE ELDERLY.
Leviticus 19:32 - "You shall rise before the gray headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the LORD."
Honoring the elderly is just the right thing to do. Their wisdom and experience should not be disregarded lightly.
16. BLASPHEMING GOD'S NAME IS A VERY SERIOUS OFFENSE.
Leviticus 24:15,16 - "Then you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, 'Whoever curses God shall bear his sin. And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall be put to death."
To curse God or blaspheme His name was punishable by death under the Old Testament. It was a very serious offense! Yet there are those today who treat God's name with such disdain that they curse their Maker dozens of times each day (or more). Tragically, they do not have any idea of the magnitude of their error (cf. Matt. 12:35-37).