Customary and Universal Application

In the book of Leviticus chapters 18:22 and 20:13 God through Moses condemns homosexuality. Also in Leviticus 19:19b the word tells Israel that they were not to wear two different types of material sewn together. The command regarding the clothing is an ambiguous one. The reasoning behind that one is some believe that pagan nations may have worn different clothing sewn together when performing some type of occultic ritual and thus Israel who were/are God's chosen people, and had to be separate in every way from all other nations were forbidden from this practice. We do not know for sure.

The reason I bring the matter up is that so many people who lack Biblical discernment have this notion that since homosexuality was condemned in the Mosaic law and is of course condemned in the new testament (Read Romans 1 and 1 Corinthians 6), then it is also sinful to wear two different types of clothing (i.e. Denim and cotton), and to eat shellfish or shrimp since they were also supposedly forbidden.

Does the Bible condemn the eating of shrimp or the wearing of multiple fabrics?

What must be differentiated in the law is what was customary verses what has universal application. We are talking about the ancient Hebrews in Leviticus. Their dietary laws have been abolished with the arrival of the new covenant. This is what the Lord told Peter in Acts 10, "What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy"(Acts 10:15).  What does that mean? God has put Peter into a trance. Peter saw a sheet come out of heaven and in it was all types of animals that their the old law forbade him to eat. So when Peter heard a voice tell him "to kill and eat", Peter said, "No Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." 

What God was trying to tell Peter is that the Old Covenant you knew your whole life has been superseded by a new and better covenant based on better promises (Heb 8:6,13). Also, Peter and his companions were there to preach the gospel to Gentiles for the first time - The Roman Centurion Cornelius and those in his house (Acts 10). The Gentiles are the ones God had cleansed in Peter's vision. Something the Jews never would have imagined!

Also, In 1 Timothy 4:3-4 we read, "Men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer."

Point being is that no food is forbidden to us now. Of course, that does that mean we have to eat everything in sight. Some things we are better not consuming. The prohibition of certain foods in the Hebrews diet and the wearing of certain types clothing along with trimming of the beards, tattoos, etc were binding upon the nation of Israel to separate them from the other nations surrounding them that were evil. However, homosexuality is a moral law that was not abolished in the New Testament. It is binding upon us now. All of the moral commandments of the Mosaic law are still in force today; do not take the Lord's name in vain, do not kill, do not steal, do not commit adultery, etc (Exodus 20).

So when someone wants to say that since Christians always want to condemn homosexuality and those same people want to argue that the Old Testament law condemns the wearing of different fabrics, or say you cannot eat shellfish or shrimp, kindly explain to them what laws are binding upon us now, and which ones are not binding.

God's moral law always applies to us. God's customary laws do not apply because those laws have been abolished with the ushering in of the New Covenant.

Hezekiah's Plea to the Lord

In Isaiah chapter 38 we read that King Hezekiah became very ill to the point of death. He is in the prime of his life so he humbles and prays to the Lord how he has been faithful to God, and how he has served him with his whole heart. 

God hears his prayer and sends him word through the prophet Isaiah that he will add fifteen years to his life (vs 5). Hezekiah was suffering from a painful boil. A cake of figs was made which apparently had the medicinal properties to heal Hezekiah once it was rubbed on the boil to heal him (vs 21).

Question, how did Hezekiah's life change so dramatically when it was told to him by the prophet to "put your house in order because you are going to die and not live" (vs 1)?

Simply, due to Hezekiah's prayer. It moved the hand and heart of God to act on his behalf. The text said the Lord heard Hezekiah's prayer and saw his tears (vs 5).  I am bringing this point up because of the fact that some reading this account may get the impression or simply believe that God changed his mind regarding what he decided to do regarding Hezekiah. 

No, God did not nor does he ever change his mind. Hezekiah certainly would have died of his sickness had he not prayed to God to spare his life. God also knew that Hezekiah would pray that prayer of humility to him which gave the Lord the opportunity to bless him. Both scenarios are true. Had Hezekiah not prayed he would have died. Because he did pray, God granted fifteen more years and healed him. Some look at the word Isaiah gave Hezekiah regarding him dying as an intention and not a declaration from the Lord; a divine intention God can change if one prays (as was the case of Hezekiah praying for himself), or if one intercedes, but a decree from God must be fulfilled.

This story should be of great encouragement to us as children of God. The Lord hears the prayers and sees the tears of his saints. Just like with Hezekiah, he is moved with compassion to act on our behalf. But please notice what Hezekiah prayed, "Remember now O Lord how I have walked before you in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight" (vs 3).

2 Chronicles 29:2 tells us that Hezekiah did what was right in the sight of the Lord. His relationship with the Lord no doubt gave him the confidence to petition the Lord to spare his life.