This morning, dutifully following the St. James Devotional Guide, I turned in Leviticus (ok, not my favorite book), to chapter 18. I was startled by its timely message.

This chapter opens, “And the Lord said to Moses”: “Say to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord your God.'”

Then, a prelude introduces the commandments which fill the chapter: “You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall do my ordinances and keep my commandments and walk in them.”

This summary is sealed with, again, “I am the Lord your God.” The chapter ends with, “I am the Lord your God.”