I don't know about you, but I was ready for change of scenery after yesterday's reading. I know what happened to Aaron's sons is tragic and extremely hard to understand. The image I want burned in my mind is the people of Israel on their faces shouting with joy at the awesome presence and amazing power of a mighty God.
Today's reading is full of more instructions for the Israelites: purification and ceremonial cleanliness. Aaron takes on some additional responsibilities. He was given the responsibility of diagnosing the severity of skin rashes and infectious mildew. He was to determine who was ceremonially unclean and what needed to be done for the person to be considered ceremonially clean.
For someone to be considered ceremonially unclean meant that the individual had come in contact with a forbidden object (i.e. a dead body) or engaged in a prohibited activity. We learned rituals one would need to do before being considered ceremonially clean: making a sacrifice, separation from the group, and cleansing.
On this side of the Old Testament it is easy to sit back and think some of the rituals are restrictive and unreasonable. But God knew what He was doing then, just like He knows what He is doing now. In 2009, what does a physician tell someone with a contagious skin rash? Keep it clean and stay away from people. Sounds a little Old Testament like, doesn't it?
I was reminded today through conversation with a sweet friend about the mysterious ways of the Lord. His ways are not our ways nor His thoughts our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) I have decided I like mysteries, I am alright with not knowing the whys of everything, and that I don't want a God that I can explain. After all, if I could figure Him out, understand all His ways, and explain Him, then what kind of God would He be?
For someone to be considered ceremonially unclean meant that the individual had come in contact with a forbidden object (i.e. a dead body) or engaged in a prohibited activity. We learned rituals one would need to do before being considered ceremonially clean: making a sacrifice, separation from the group, and cleansing.
On this side of the Old Testament it is easy to sit back and think some of the rituals are restrictive and unreasonable. But God knew what He was doing then, just like He knows what He is doing now. In 2009, what does a physician tell someone with a contagious skin rash? Keep it clean and stay away from people. Sounds a little Old Testament like, doesn't it?
I was reminded today through conversation with a sweet friend about the mysterious ways of the Lord. His ways are not our ways nor His thoughts our thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) I have decided I like mysteries, I am alright with not knowing the whys of everything, and that I don't want a God that I can explain. After all, if I could figure Him out, understand all His ways, and explain Him, then what kind of God would He be?
6 Comments:
Wendy, that song is beautiful. He is God alone.
In the Beth Moore study I am currently doing, she too strongly expressed that we shouldn't want a God we can explain. There has to be a mystery surrounding Him.
My mind was captured by two words today, "Unclean, Unclean!" If not for the sacrifice of Christ, I would be sitting right next to those lepers. Shame would be my portion. The priest would declare me "ceremonially unclean".
Unclean heart. Unclean life. Unclean by sin. Unclean by birth. Unclean thoughts. Unclean motives. Unclean words. Unclean. Worthy of being cut off from fellowship with God. It's only by God's grace and mercy that I'm not living "outside the camp".
Jesus taught in Mark 7:20-23, "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.' For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "
2 Corinthians 7:1 says, "let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God".
Job asks in Job 14:4, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean?"
Touch or be touched by Jesus.
The hem of Christ's garment was touched by a hand of faith in Mark 5:22-34 and a woman, bleeding and unclean for twelve years received healing. Earlier in the same gospel, (Mark 1:40-45), we read of Jesus having compassion on a man with leprosy, and putting His hand on him, gave healing.
Rejoicing today that I have received that touch and enjoy communion with my Father.
Touched,
Joy
One of the most positive ways we can influence the world for Christ is to live a clean and holy life.
"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as He which hath called you is holy, so be holy in all manner of conversation."
I Peter 1:14,15
Have a great day gals!
Lori - Mesa, AZ
Thanks for your thoughts and the video, Wendy.
I was right there with you wondering the "whys and purposes". The laws are so detailed--just reminded of the impossibily of trying to do it on my own, and thankful for God's grace, that was as strong in Old Testament times as it is today. Our God does not change. As a child, I would view the Old Testament God differently than the New Testament.
And when I can't "figure" out the things of God--I'm a figurer-outer--I remind myself of the foolishness of trying to put my common sense to an infinite, all knowing God.
Off to Bible study--the first day of Beth Moores, Living Beyond Yourself. Have an awesome day!
While much of God is a mystery, today's reading answered a long standing question for me and maybe for others.
I have always wondered why after healing the ten lepers, Jesus told them to go show themselves to the priests. Today, I know why. Only then, by law, could they be declared "Clean."
I also love the fact that even though Jesus could have declared this Himself, he still instructed the men to follow the laws that God set forth so many years before.
Hope everyone has a wonderful and relaxing weekend!
Wendy,
That song is beautiful. I agree with Lori, living a pure and clean life can have the biggest influence on the world. Because people look at our lives, they way we do everything, spend our time and money. The way we talk and love and if it isn't pure and clean then are we setting the right example of Christian fellowship with God.
I think of how He washed the disciples feet. That is just a dirty and personal thing, yet He did it.
Only He can make us clean!
Have a great weekend girls,
Blessings,
Diane
Well I am still overwhelmed by the instructions that need to be followed for everything. I am so thankful God saw to it I am in this time and not that one.
I also think God is better not lettng us know what is to come. So offen he will stretch us when we don't want to be stretched. If left to our own devices we would become stagnant.
Have a great weekend.
Blessings, Lynn - Oregon
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