9 min
May 20, 2024, Day 2 of Week 8 Daily Dose of Hope
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- Self-Improvement
Daily Dose of Hope
May 20, 2024
Day 2 of Week 8
Scripture: Leviticus 12-14; Psalm 111; Hebrews 5
Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the daily devotional and podcast that complements New Hope Church’s daily Bible reading plan.
Let’s get right into our Scripture for today, beginning with our reading in Leviticus. In chapter 11 (which we read yesterday), we began the discussion of clean vs. unclean. While chapter 11 dealt specifically with food, the next few chapters talk about uncleanliness surrounding bodily functions.
Chapter 12 details childbirth. It seems important to point out that because something is unclean, it doesn't make it morally sinful or wrong. Childbirth was seen as a joy; God commanded humanity to be fruitful and multiply. A woman who has just given birth is in no way sinful but is considered ritually unclean. Blood was associated with life and the loss of it meant things were not whole and clean. Loss of blood could lead to death. If you haven't been part of a birthing experience, just trust me that there is a great deal of blood (and other fluids) lost in the process. It's messy. Thus, there was a process then for bringing things back into a state of cleanness.
I can't help but think this time of seclusion after birth was a gift that God gave the mother. Before she had to move on to the normal activities of life, she was forced to rest, to be cared for, to have other women tend to her children and her physical needs. Life slowed down for a time so that she could heal. This was not a time of punishment but part of God's bigger plan of caring for new mothers.
Leviticus 13 details the various skin conditions and diseases that could make someone unclean. Anyone with these ailments had to live outside the camp by themselves, wear torn clothing, let their hair down, and yell, "Unclean!" if someone were to come near. Being outside the camp would have meant being separated not just from other people but also from God, since the presence of God dwelt in the camp itself. It was almost like the unclean person was in mourning, being isolated and alone, and the behaviors they had to engage in (torn clothing, unkempt hair, etc.) certainly would have been associated with the mourning process.
This is hard for me to read. I struggle with ostracizing anyone for being afflicted with something out of their control. At the same time, I understand that isolating the sick person minimized spread, which could have occurred at an alarmingly quick rate in the Israelite camp. Furthermore, at the time, there was a strong connection between wholeness and healthy things without blemish AND holiness. If a priest had a physical flaw or disability, he couldn't be a priest. If an animal had a defect, it could not be sacrificed in the tabernacle. Only that which was totally clean, healthy, and whole could risk being near the holiness of God's presence in the tabernacle.
This was an almost impossible standard to keep up. In fact, the people could not keep it up. One purpose of the law was to demonstrate that humanity could not measure up. They could not be whole enough, healthy enough, perfect enough, or pure enough. It just wasn't possible. Thus, a savior was needed. A mediator between God and the people was essential. Jesus Christ became that mediator, the final, perfect sacrifice to end all sacrifices. Jesus fulfilled the law. Everything about him was whole, healthy, pure, and holy. Of course, the irony here is that there was something about the holiness of Jesus that sinners, outcasts, and the sick flocked toward. And Jesus welcomed them with open arms. No more banning skin diseases to outside the camp, Jesus touched the ill. He demonstrated acceptance and love. He turned their mourning into dancing and joy.
Finally, chapter 14 details the cleansing rituals for skin conditions once an individual was well enough to be included back in t
Daily Dose of Hope
May 20, 2024
Day 2 of Week 8
Scripture: Leviticus 12-14; Psalm 111; Hebrews 5
Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the daily devotional and podcast that complements New Hope Church’s daily Bible reading plan.
Let’s get right into our Scripture for today, beginning with our reading in Leviticus. In chapter 11 (which we read yesterday), we began the discussion of clean vs. unclean. While chapter 11 dealt specifically with food, the next few chapters talk about uncleanliness surrounding bodily functions.
Chapter 12 details childbirth. It seems important to point out that because something is unclean, it doesn't make it morally sinful or wrong. Childbirth was seen as a joy; God commanded humanity to be fruitful and multiply. A woman who has just given birth is in no way sinful but is considered ritually unclean. Blood was associated with life and the loss of it meant things were not whole and clean. Loss of blood could lead to death. If you haven't been part of a birthing experience, just trust me that there is a great deal of blood (and other fluids) lost in the process. It's messy. Thus, there was a process then for bringing things back into a state of cleanness.
I can't help but think this time of seclusion after birth was a gift that God gave the mother. Before she had to move on to the normal activities of life, she was forced to rest, to be cared for, to have other women tend to her children and her physical needs. Life slowed down for a time so that she could heal. This was not a time of punishment but part of God's bigger plan of caring for new mothers.
Leviticus 13 details the various skin conditions and diseases that could make someone unclean. Anyone with these ailments had to live outside the camp by themselves, wear torn clothing, let their hair down, and yell, "Unclean!" if someone were to come near. Being outside the camp would have meant being separated not just from other people but also from God, since the presence of God dwelt in the camp itself. It was almost like the unclean person was in mourning, being isolated and alone, and the behaviors they had to engage in (torn clothing, unkempt hair, etc.) certainly would have been associated with the mourning process.
This is hard for me to read. I struggle with ostracizing anyone for being afflicted with something out of their control. At the same time, I understand that isolating the sick person minimized spread, which could have occurred at an alarmingly quick rate in the Israelite camp. Furthermore, at the time, there was a strong connection between wholeness and healthy things without blemish AND holiness. If a priest had a physical flaw or disability, he couldn't be a priest. If an animal had a defect, it could not be sacrificed in the tabernacle. Only that which was totally clean, healthy, and whole could risk being near the holiness of God's presence in the tabernacle.
This was an almost impossible standard to keep up. In fact, the people could not keep it up. One purpose of the law was to demonstrate that humanity could not measure up. They could not be whole enough, healthy enough, perfect enough, or pure enough. It just wasn't possible. Thus, a savior was needed. A mediator between God and the people was essential. Jesus Christ became that mediator, the final, perfect sacrifice to end all sacrifices. Jesus fulfilled the law. Everything about him was whole, healthy, pure, and holy. Of course, the irony here is that there was something about the holiness of Jesus that sinners, outcasts, and the sick flocked toward. And Jesus welcomed them with open arms. No more banning skin diseases to outside the camp, Jesus touched the ill. He demonstrated acceptance and love. He turned their mourning into dancing and joy.
Finally, chapter 14 details the cleansing rituals for skin conditions once an individual was well enough to be included back in t
9 min