February 20th

Leviticus 12:1-14:32

You read the exciting laws regarding purification after childbirth, contagious skin diseases, and contaminated clothing! What a great day, right? Having had to endure a receding hairline my entire life, I was comforted by the fact that “if a man loses his hair and his head becomes bald, he is still ceremonially clean” (12:40).

Hidden in our passage today were two institutions that are important in the Jewish culture — the laws regarding circumcision and leprosy. Did you catch the command that all boys must be circumcised on the eighth day (12:3)? Circumcision is connected to the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 17:9, 10). We will see this ritual repeated throughout Scripture. Even Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, when He was presented in the Temple (Luke 2:21).

The laws regarding contagious skin diseases, such as leprosy, were pretty extensive; but, these passages explain the harsh treatment that lepers received in the Jewish culture. Even in the New Testament, we see these guidelines being followed. Lepers were made to live outside the camp, so as not to infect other people. They had to wear torn and tattered clothes and cry out, “Unclean,” anytime someone approached.

In a spiritual sense, every person is born with leprosy; it is called sin. Because of sin, we are all unclean, and because we are unclean, we are not allowed into God’s presence. We are not one of His people and, thus, are made to live “outside the camp.” However, because of Christ, our spiritual leprosy has been cured and we are adopted into His family. We are made clean, and, thus, able to stand in the presence of God!

Did you notice what God instructed to be done to purify a person with leprosy? They were completely washed in water and shaved of all their hair (8, 9). In other words, their old life was removed or cleansed, and they were welcomed back into the camp. Then, they had to offer sacrifice, during which they were anointed with oil and marked in blood (13:15-18; 23-25). All of these things are symbols of baptism, the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and the washing away of sins by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Daily Reflection

If you are in Christ, you are clean! Your old self, your old life, your old ways are gone, and you are a new person. Describe the evidence in your life that this new person exists. How can you tell that something has changed in you?

Unfortunately, many Christians, who have been cured of their “spiritual leprosy” and who have been adopted as a member of God’s family, still live “outside the camp.” They are not joining others in the community of “cured lepers.” Are you doing life with other believers? Are you an active member of a local church? Are you still living the old life? You are now clean! Do not waste your life living as if you are unclean.

BiAY.org | Day 51 — 314 Days to Go