- Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst. Leviticus 15:31 – Today’s chapter focuses on the unnatural and nature discharges from the body, a possibly awkward read, but one that was very helpful for the Israelites. On a basic level, for a community that didn’t know much about infections, blood borne diseases, and how such things spread, these laws were literal life savers. On a deeper level such laws made it impossible for the Israelites to imitate the despicable sex worship that was happening within many of the pagan temples. While martial sex was certainly not considered sinful, it did make the couple ceremonially unclean which meant they couldn’t be on the temple grounds. How then would partaking in sex within the temple, like the pagans did, ever be okayed by the Lord if it made the couple unclean? These laws forced the Israelites to separate themselves from the pagan practices around them and handle sex with a holier mindset. While we aren’t under the law now, the heartbeat of God for us is to not handle our sexual desires like the pagans do. Holiness is not in the vocabulary of the world when it comes to fulfilling their sexual desires, but it ought to be in the vocabulary of the believer. Sexual desires and having sex when kept within the boundaries the Lord has provided is holy and acceptable in His sight. It’s when we break those boundaries to pursue our sinful desires that we find ourselves far from God’s design. See from this passage that God’s commands have practical and spiritual purposes, both of which matter in our life. We may not understand those purposes fully, but if God instituted the commands, then they have unmatched purpose. Choose to trust the Lord’s wisdom over such things even when our wisdom tells us differently. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3217
- Leviticus 15 Daily DEVO And this is the law of his uncleanness for a discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body is blocked up by his discharge, it is his uncleanness. Leviticus 15:3 – Yes, I know, kind of a gross verse to highlight today, but that’s the nature of this whole chapter. Something though we see in this verse, as well as with the topics discussed in the rest of the chapter, is that God sees everything. That there are some of these things that made people unclean that they couldn’t hide and was out for all to see. Yet there are things like we see in this chapter, things like stuff blocked up in his body, where only you see the issue. What we learn is that God is aware of it and it’s not hidden from Him. He sees how it effects you and how it is effecting others even if they don’t realize it. Be sure that’s it’s not only the visible uncleanliness in your life you’re handing over to God but also the hidden. To God it’s all visible and all hurts you. Don’t treat it any different just because those around you are unaware of it in your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 897
- Every bed on which the one with the discharge lies shall be unclean, and everything on which he sits shall be unclean. And anyone who touches his bed shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water and be unclean until the evening. Leviticus 15:4-5 – This sort of talk continues throughout the chapter. This idea of whatever is touched but the one who is unclean is now unclean. Even whoever touches the thing that the unclean person touched is now themselves unclean! What stands out to me is how easily our sinfulness can have an impact on another’s pursuit of God. For the people being given this message when pronounced unclean that meant you could no longer rightfully come to the temple to worship or participate in any holy thing. You then could be unable to participate in worship simply because you came in contact with something that an unclean person touched. I agree, that sounds a little much, but God knows better and knows how serious the impact our sin can have on others. Be aware then that when you say yes to sin you are placing yourself in a position that could easily knock someone off their faithful pursuit of God. You can introduce unrest, confusion, and hurt into their story because you chose sin. Be better than that. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1938
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