Feb.3 - Leviticus 12 - 14

I've got the flu today so I'm a little behind in getting this blog out. Nevertheless, I did read today's chapters, and I'm excited to share a few things with you that are noteworthy.

As we read today, we see God sharing with Moses some very important rules concerning childbirth, circumcision, various skin diseases, and even diseases that are located within their clothing. One of the first ones that jumps out at me is the mandate that every male child was to be circumcised "on the eighth day." If you remember, according to Genesis 17:10 this is the sign of God's covenant with the nation of Israel. When you look in the New Testament and you see that a child was circumcised the eighth day, this shows that the baby's parents were Godly parents who took careful note to follow the Law of Moses. In Luke 2:23, Doctor Luke tells us that Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day. In fact, His parents, Joseph and Mary, then followed the teachings of Leviticus 12 in dedicating Him to the Lord and offering the sacrifices as required in that chapter. In Luke 1:59, John the Baptist was circumcised on the eighth day. And, the apostle Paul defended his parents and his commitment to the Law of Moses when he declared to his accusers that he was, "circumcised on the eighth day." This was pretty serious stuff! In fact, this caused a big argument in Acts 15:1 when "certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except you be circumcised after the manner of Moses, you cannot be saved." But, what God was trying to do was differentiate His people from the rest of the world! Circumcision, as Paul spoke about, does not make a person a Christian! Rather, this was a picture of the heart being circumcised of sin and being made right before God! We, as Christians, are to be different from the rest of the world. They mark of a heart that's turned from sin and to God is what God is wanting from His people!

Another thing I see that brings my attention to Jesus in this passage of scripture in Leviticus is how the leper was to separate himself or herself from the rest of population and cry out "Unclean, unclean!" whenever there was a closed encounter with others who were not lepers. One day, in Matthew 8:2, there "came a leper and worshipped him, saying Lord, if you will, you can make me clean." I can see it now! The crowds must have screamed in horror and jumped back in order to keep from getting contaminated! But, not Jesus! He lovingly turned to the man and according to Matthew 8:5, "Jesus reached out and touched Him. I am willing, he said. Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared." After that, Jesus told him to do exactly what it says to do in today's text found in Leviticus 13!

I've often said that in order to fully grasp the New Testament you need to have a good grasp of the Old Testament! As you read these seemingly boring rules, it's amazing what many of these rules mean (even in today's culture) and how they typify Jesus Christ and His holiness!

Have a wonderful day in the Lord! And pray for my dear friend John Moore and his family who tragically lost their 18 year old son and brother! May the Lord bless and heal their hearts and be with them in a powerful way during this incomprehensibly painful time!