Leviticus 14-15

If yesterday's post had a dermatology or mold evaluation tone to it then today's reading will have a clinical dermatology treatment and mold remediation themes, along with best practices for sexual relations as it relates to uncleanness. While it is tempting to rapidly skim through the reading and write-off the majority of Leviticus as antiquated or for the Jews of the time and not for Christians today, we must remember: these cleansing ritual sacrifices and prescription by the LORD to Moses for his people is for good. Paul writes to the Roman church emphasizing the primary takeaway of the entire book of Leviticus:

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

It is crucial to keep in mind that all the bodily regulations are tied closely together with the aim of pleasing a Holy God and worshipping Him in a proper way. Purging ones life of uncleanness is the ongoing work of sanctification prompted by the leading of the Holy Spirit day by day through a lifestyle of repentance. I am constantly reminded that as believers we are to be in the world but not of the world, we do not take cultural cues to dictate our worship of God - we are separatists who when renewed with the living word of God use worship and living out a biblical life to dictate the culture around us. When we seek first the kingdom of God through obedience and faith, we will look different or contra mundum ('against the world'). This is for the purpose of glorifying God with our bodies and the homes he has entrusted for us to steward, this is echoed at the end of Leviticus 15.

Leviticus 15:31 (NIV) "You must keep the Israelites separate from the things that make them unclean, so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place [tabernacle], which is among them."

Paul again makes this link for New Testament believers in his second letter to the church in Corinth with a warning against idolatry, the opposite of YAHWEH worship, which really ties in a proper theological understanding of why consecration, pursuit of holiness, purification and sanctification are relevant for the Israelites in the desert and for 21st century Christians today. Why? So that we please, glorify and are reverent to the LORD in our posture and approach of His throne. 

II Corinthians 6:16-18, 7:1 (NIV) "What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." Therefore, "Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."

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