Making Sense out of Leviticus #8

Today's Reading: Leviticus 14-15.

We are over 1/2 the way through Leviticus. So see, if you are reading along, we are getting it done. This seemingly impossible book is getting conquered, at least for the moment and for this year.

Chapter 14 continues to concern itself with the skin diseases and how the Israelites were to deal with them. Also it concerns what to do with mold found in a house, or disease found on a garment, bowl or piece of leather. Again, this was long before clorox so the only way to disinfect was to work these ways. If we see the overall picture of working to stay clean and free of disease, and to help the corporate body stay this way as well, we will be better able to receive this chapter.

The one incident in the New Testament that occurred to me as I read this, is the removal of the gentleman from the general fellowship when he was living in a incestuous relationship. (1 Corinthians 5) The purpose of such discipline was and is to restore the person to their "first love," and to keep them from causing many to follow the same pathway. Such action in Spirit, never mistreats, but looks for the return and always protects the general body from such sin. This is difficult, but very similar to what was done in Leviticus in regard to people with diseases and with houses that were growing mold.

Chapter 15 is a continuation of addressing health issues regarding the body that is having a discharge. Again, remember we have 2-3 million people camping together, and things must be kept very clean in order not to foster a wide spread plague of some sort. So the LORD did not leave a stone unturned in their training in cleanliness.

All of this exterior cleanliness points us to an interior call and placement of being as He is. We call it holiness. To live a holy life in Jesus is His gift to us. To maintain the lifestyle that proclaims that cleanliness of heart is our gift to Him. Now, we all know we are unable to maintain such on our own, so our entire person is to be enmeshed in Him, moment by moment. He is our Holiness and we become His expression of that Holy nature in Him. It is His gift of personhood in us. Thank you Jesus!

Tomorrow's reading: Leviticus 16-17.