34. Sin and the Land (Leviticus 18:19)

• Jun, 23 2025

Chapter Thirty-Four Summary: Sin and the Land (Leviticus 18:19) Rushdoony on Sexual Morality, Creation, and the Defilement of the EarthLeviticus 18:19 prohibits sexual intercourse during a woman’s menstrual period, a command reiterated in other biblical texts (Lev. 15:24; 20:18; Ezek. 18:6; 22:10). Though often dismissed in modern discourse, Rushdoony shows that this law is treated in Scripture not as a minor ceremonial rule, but as a moral statute, and its violation has cosmic consequences—defiling the very land. 🔑 Key Themes and Insights 1. This Is a Moral Law, Not Merely Ceremonial“Sexual intercourse with a menstruous woman is against God’s law, and is a degradation of both the woman and the man.”Though Leviticus 15 links it to ceremonial uncleanness, Leviticus 18—and especially Leviticus 20:18—treats it as a moral offense, potentially punishable by excommunication or death. Ezekiel 18 includes this sin in a list of moral violations defining a just or unjust man. 2. Biblical Morality Is Unique Among Ancient LawsWhere pagan codes (e.g., the Hittite laws) tolerated various sexual acts—including with menstruating women or even animals—the biblical law alone connects such acts with defilement and judgment.“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezek. 18:4)The seriousness of this particular sin is not in hygiene or taboo, but in the rejection of divine order and boundaries. 3. Violating the Law Defiles the LandLeviticus 18:24–25 and Ezekiel 18:6 use the word tame (defile, pollute) for these offenses. Rushdoony draws attention to the spiritual ecology taught in Scripture: moral sin corrupts the environment. As modern science discovers symbiotic relationships between forests and rainfall, Rushdoony highlights the far deeper covenantal linkage between man’s morality and the land’s blessing or curse.“There is a far stronger relationship between man’s moral nature... and the defilement and destruction of the land.”4. Modern Defiance of This Law Reflects RebellionRushdoony observes that both modern men and women defy this law intentionally—men as an act of domination, and feminists as a demand for so-called equality or proof of love. Both acts reflect aggression, not affection, and both oppose God’s created order.“It is offensive to the man... because it is offensive to God.”5. Justice Includes Sexual EthicsIn Ezekiel 18, sexual ethics (including the menstrual law) are listed alongside idolatry, usury, violence, and oppression. This positions sexual sins within the larger framework of social justice and covenant obedience. To neglect this connection is to miss the biblical view of holistic righteousness. 💣 False Interpretations: Allegorizing the LawRushdoony critiques symbolic interpretations, especially from some strands of rabbinic tradition that spiritualize or metaphorize the menstrual law. These re-readings often strip the law of its plain moral meaning, rendering it irrelevant or merely illustrative of other virtues.“All this sets a much higher standard than does God’s simple meaning!”🛑 Examples of Misinterpretation:Adultery → “interfering with another’s livelihood”Menstruous woman → “relying on charity”Idolatry → “arrogance or lack of humility”Rushdoony rejects these as distortions, saying true holiness must begin with honoring God’s actual commands. ✅ Faithfulness = ActionIn contrast to pietism (faith without works) and Pharisaism (works without faith), Scripture teaches that real faith produces obedience. This includes obedience in intimate, private, and bodily matters.“Faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26)🌍 Moral Obedience and Environmental ConsequencesRushdoony makes the case that moral rebellion—including sexual rebellion—has environmental ramifications:Just as trees affect rainfall,Human sin affects the land itself.This covenantal ecology means that nations that violate God's law, even in “private” matters like sexual conduct, eventually suffer in broader national, agricultural, and environmental ways. 🧭 Practical ImplicationsSexual sin is never “just personal.” It is theological, social, and environmental.Defying God’s laws leads not to freedom, but to pollution—spiritually and physically.True justice includes bodily obedience. We cannot separate ethics from embodiment.📌 SEO KeywordsLeviticus 18:19 commentarymenstrual laws in the BibleRushdoony Leviticusbiblical view of sexual moralitysin and the landcovenant and ecologymenstruation and holinesssexual ethics and environmental consequencesbiblical law and creationEzekiel 18 justice📖 Summary Quote“The emphasis here as throughout the law is on the inescapable connection between man’s morality and the physical world around him.”Bottom Line: The law against intercourse during menstruation is not a primitive taboo—it is a moral boundary set by God. Violating it defiles not only the soul, but the land. Obedience to God’s law, even in hidden things, is essential for individual, social, and environmental health.

Author

R.J. Rushdoony

Chalcedon Founder

Narrated by

Nathan F. Conkey

Narrator, teacher, missionary