1 Our Father, we receive Your Words and hide Your commandments with us; 2 we incline our ear unto wisdom, and apply our hearts to understanding; 3 We cry after knowledge and lift up our voices for understanding; 4 we seek it as silver; and search for it as for hidden treasures; 5 We declare that we shall understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. Declaration of Proverbs 2:1-5
Leviticus 15:13-21 (NASB)1
13 'Now when the man with the discharge becomes cleansed from his discharge, then he shall count off for himself seven days for his cleansing; he shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in running water and will become clean. 14 'Then on the eighth day he shall take for himself two turtledoves or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD to the doorway of the tent of meeting and give them to the priest; 15 and the priest shall offer them, one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf before the LORD because of his discharge. 16 'Now if a man has a seminal emission, he shall bathe all his body in water and be unclean until evening. 17 'As for any garment or any leather on which there is seminal emission, it shall be washed with water and be unclean until evening. 18 'If a man lies with a woman so that there is a seminal emission, they shall both bathe in water and be unclean until evening. 19 'When a woman has a discharge, if her discharge in her body is blood, she shall continue in her menstrual impurity for seven days; and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. 20 'Everything also on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean, and everything on which she sits shall be unclean. 21 'Anyone who touches her bed shall wash his clothes and bathe in water and be unclean until evening.
We've had rain overnight and our streak of sunny days has ended. But spring has arrived despite the unsettled weather! God is good! Our midweek marathon went very well yesterday and our little sewing group group was very productive. I went and checked news and the world is still pretty shaky but we're maintaining. Oddly enough, Iran's stock exchange is precarious while Israel's financial status appears better than ever despite the situation there. On the home front, the river receded quite a bit yesterday and the 'creeping' of the water over the banks was largely abated. We'll be passing over the bridge to collect our mail in the village post office later today. We shall see if the nightly precipitation has made any difference in the water level. Not much to do in the yard today except observe. The rain is forecast to end sometime this morning. I have high hopes for a sunny day, eventually.
Upon reading the record today, I take it that God was truly teaching Israel the wide gap between 'unclean' and 'clean'. The offerings for a healing of the discharge for the men is two birds to make atonement. He would be clean but wait seven days, likely to ensure that there is no relapse of the symptoms. One bird is for a sin offering and the other the burnt/peace offering. The record here strongly alludes to this illness of discharge for the man has a component of sin to it.
13 And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean. 14 And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest: 15 And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue. Leviticus 15:13-15.
That phrase that he should bathe in “running water” is, as the late Chuck Missler would say, provocative. It reminds me of how, in the medical field, we would pour water, or rinse out an injury or open wound with a stream of water. We might use a small cup of a sort or with the stream of water using a syringe (with no needle). How and what we'd use would depend on the wound or area that we needed to cleanse. This method would take whatever drainage or possible bacteria away from the wound in order for a clean and sterile dressing to be applied, if that was so indicated. There were times when we would soak a wound to clear detritus and other dirt. When that was softened and removed, then we would apply a stream to further cleanse the wound. There is an allusion here to the 'running water' that would cleanse and also REMOVE the possible threat of re-infection. God knew before our so-called medical 'science' did, that a stream of running water could do this!
And, that heated discussion between the two elders that I overheard when I was sixteen, haunts me! Ellicott commented on verse fifteen and clearly indicates that sin (which is unclean) can and will prompt a physical illness that is equally unclean. Could this be why we are admonished in the Apostolic writing of Rabbi Sha'ul/Paul of the following?
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27.
There is sin mentioned in the same breath as “giving place to the devil”. We are taught through Scripture how the devil is like a roaring lion. We've looked at this recently.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8.
If we sin, the verse from Ephesians suggests that we “give place to the devil”. That is, that we leave him and/or one of the unclean spirits that serve him, an opening into our life. Being very legalistic, the enemy walks right in and lays claim to an area of our soul. We know that our soul is so closely enmeshed with our flesh/body and so we can be brought down in our covenant with Yahweh, as swiftly and efficiently as a lion stalks an antelope and brings it down for the kill.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:1.
And that lion did that in order to DEVOUR that animal. Knowing this principle regarding unclean/clean enables us to prevent these openings to the enemy. Mishpochah—My family: It is Basic Bible Boot Camp Spiritual Warfare!
“And the priest shall make an atonement.—That is, for the sinful act which has brought about the infirmity. The severity with which people were treated who had contracted this disease may further be seen from the fact that they had to remain without the camp (Nu 5:1-4). During the second Temple they were debarred from partaking of the Paschal meal, and were banished from the precincts of the holy city. Hence, when David in his great indignation wanted to invoke an imprecation upon his adversaries, he exclaimed "Let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue" (2Sa 3:29).”
This comment by Ellicott called another provocative passage to mind:
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath... John 5:1-9.
Messiah healed this man, but when he saw him later, He had something further to say to him.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John 5:14.
It was a pretty obvious thing when Jesus dealt with the suspected adulteress, in John chapter eight, when He told her to go and “sin no more”.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:10-11.
So, could it be that there is indeed a connection between a sickness and sin? I can neither confirm nor deny, but we need to think on this seriously.
The next example is the woman who is experiencing her monthly menses and all that should be observed while this is occurring.
19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. Leviticus 15:19.
The phrase “she shall be put apart” is another sort of expression that should tell us something. Uncleanness would set individuals apart from others “until the evening” or for the “seven days”. With the exception of leprosy, there was generally a wait time to become ritually clean once again. God made a way. The understanding of this clean/unclean way of living could be a statement to show us the dichotomy between sin and holiness. You can be in one or the other at any given time. One cannot be in sin and be holy at the same time. The sin must be remedied by repentance and return (to God and the covenant) so that the state of holiness can resume. Those burnt offerings were the signal that peace was restored between the individuals and God—the isolation was over, the breach was healed and the covenant restored.
Indeed the world and sadly, even a large body of believers might think that the observation of “clean and unclean” is out of date and maybe even silly. However, our Father has taught us these things through the history of Israel, and if we call ourselves attentive and eager Bible students, we need to take it seriously. He demands holiness in every aspect of our living. Is this too much to ask of us when He’s given us so much? I think not. The holy and judicial use of every body part could be lifted up as an act of worship. That holiness which we thought was so unattainable in our previous spiritual lives is indeed within our grasp! We will be holy because He is holy and here we have a witness to this in the Apostolic writings:
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour... 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5.
In our study of the Torah, we see that God was training a people to live in His presence and to have a profound reverence for holy things! The society we live in at present is paying the price for its lack of reverence to the truth, and it is reflected in the most popular television shows whose content revolves totally around sex and its aberrations. How can society clean up their act, when they have no idea what clean is? They think that dirt is clean! I am so thankful for God making it possible that we should know the difference! Look below for the connect between the testaments—nothing has changed!
Upon reading the record today, I take it that God was truly teaching Israel the wide gap between 'unclean' and 'clean'. The offerings for a healing of the discharge for the men is two birds to make atonement. He would be clean but wait seven days, likely to ensure that there is no relapse of the symptoms. One bird is for a sin offering and the other the burnt/peace offering. The record here strongly alludes to this illness of discharge for the man has a component of sin to it.
13 And when he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue; then he shall number to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean. 14 And on the eighth day he shall take to him two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before the LORD unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and give them unto the priest: 15 And the priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD for his issue. Leviticus 15:13-15.
That phrase that he should bathe in “running water” is, as the late Chuck Missler would say, provocative. It reminds me of how, in the medical field, we would pour water, or rinse out an injury or open wound with a stream of water. We might use a small cup of a sort or with the stream of water using a syringe (with no needle). How and what we'd use would depend on the wound or area that we needed to cleanse. This method would take whatever drainage or possible bacteria away from the wound in order for a clean and sterile dressing to be applied, if that was so indicated. There were times when we would soak a wound to clear detritus and other dirt. When that was softened and removed, then we would apply a stream to further cleanse the wound. There is an allusion here to the 'running water' that would cleanse and also REMOVE the possible threat of re-infection. God knew before our so-called medical 'science' did, that a stream of running water could do this!
And, that heated discussion between the two elders that I overheard when I was sixteen, haunts me! Ellicott commented on verse fifteen and clearly indicates that sin (which is unclean) can and will prompt a physical illness that is equally unclean. Could this be why we are admonished in the Apostolic writing of Rabbi Sha'ul/Paul of the following?
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27.
There is sin mentioned in the same breath as “giving place to the devil”. We are taught through Scripture how the devil is like a roaring lion. We've looked at this recently.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8.
If we sin, the verse from Ephesians suggests that we “give place to the devil”. That is, that we leave him and/or one of the unclean spirits that serve him, an opening into our life. Being very legalistic, the enemy walks right in and lays claim to an area of our soul. We know that our soul is so closely enmeshed with our flesh/body and so we can be brought down in our covenant with Yahweh, as swiftly and efficiently as a lion stalks an antelope and brings it down for the kill.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:1.
And that lion did that in order to DEVOUR that animal. Knowing this principle regarding unclean/clean enables us to prevent these openings to the enemy. Mishpochah—My family: It is Basic Bible Boot Camp Spiritual Warfare!
“And the priest shall make an atonement.—That is, for the sinful act which has brought about the infirmity. The severity with which people were treated who had contracted this disease may further be seen from the fact that they had to remain without the camp (Nu 5:1-4). During the second Temple they were debarred from partaking of the Paschal meal, and were banished from the precincts of the holy city. Hence, when David in his great indignation wanted to invoke an imprecation upon his adversaries, he exclaimed "Let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue" (2Sa 3:29).”
This comment by Ellicott called another provocative passage to mind:
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath... John 5:1-9.
Messiah healed this man, but when he saw him later, He had something further to say to him.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. John 5:14.
It was a pretty obvious thing when Jesus dealt with the suspected adulteress, in John chapter eight, when He told her to go and “sin no more”.
10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:10-11.
So, could it be that there is indeed a connection between a sickness and sin? I can neither confirm nor deny, but we need to think on this seriously.
The next example is the woman who is experiencing her monthly menses and all that should be observed while this is occurring.
19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. Leviticus 15:19.
The phrase “she shall be put apart” is another sort of expression that should tell us something. Uncleanness would set individuals apart from others “until the evening” or for the “seven days”. With the exception of leprosy, there was generally a wait time to become ritually clean once again. God made a way. The understanding of this clean/unclean way of living could be a statement to show us the dichotomy between sin and holiness. You can be in one or the other at any given time. One cannot be in sin and be holy at the same time. The sin must be remedied by repentance and return (to God and the covenant) so that the state of holiness can resume. Those burnt offerings were the signal that peace was restored between the individuals and God—the isolation was over, the breach was healed and the covenant restored.
Indeed the world and sadly, even a large body of believers might think that the observation of “clean and unclean” is out of date and maybe even silly. However, our Father has taught us these things through the history of Israel, and if we call ourselves attentive and eager Bible students, we need to take it seriously. He demands holiness in every aspect of our living. Is this too much to ask of us when He’s given us so much? I think not. The holy and judicial use of every body part could be lifted up as an act of worship. That holiness which we thought was so unattainable in our previous spiritual lives is indeed within our grasp! We will be holy because He is holy and here we have a witness to this in the Apostolic writings:
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour... 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5.
In our study of the Torah, we see that God was training a people to live in His presence and to have a profound reverence for holy things! The society we live in at present is paying the price for its lack of reverence to the truth, and it is reflected in the most popular television shows whose content revolves totally around sex and its aberrations. How can society clean up their act, when they have no idea what clean is? They think that dirt is clean! I am so thankful for God making it possible that we should know the difference! Look below for the connect between the testaments—nothing has changed!
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY. I Peter 1:13-16.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and BE YE HOLY: FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. 8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. Leviticus 20:7-8.
(Upper case letters for emphasis)
16 BECAUSE IT IS WRITTEN, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY. I Peter 1:13-16.
7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and BE YE HOLY: FOR I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD. 8 And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you. Leviticus 20:7-8.
(Upper case letters for emphasis)
1 NASB www.lockman.org for daily reading and KJV in commentary unless otherwise specified
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