The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Leviticus 14:19-20,
"Then the priest is to sacrifice the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from their uncleanness. After that, the priest shall slaughter the burnt offering and offer it on the altar, together with the grain offering, and make atonement for them, and they will be clean."
Chapter 14 of Leviticus continues the laws concerning skin diseases and various molds that might appear in a house. Both issues of public health and safety as well as atonement for the patient in regard to their unclean condition brought by a skin disease are provided for. Health and safety issues are dealt with by examinations by the priest, possible isolation of the patient for a defined period, and bathing and shaving off all hair.
Atonement for the patient following their healing with a declaration by the priest was provided for with a guilt offering, a sin offering together with a burnt offering and grain offering.
The juxtaposition of procedures involving disease and a requirement for atonement for sin and guilt can't be missed here. It is my understanding that the need for atonement for the patient following recovery is not necessarily due to a sin the patient may have committed leading to the disease. Rather, the disease caused the patient to become ceremonially unclean requiring atonement.
It is a reminder to me that it was original sin itself that led to illnesses, infirmities and death from the fall of man in the garden of Eden. Mankind brought sickness and death upon himself.
Isaiah tells us that it would be God's Servant (Jesus Christ) who would bring the reversal of the curse mankind brought upon himself, Isaiah 53:4-6. If we embrace him in faith we receive the benefit from his atonement for our sins. The result being, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"Then the priest is to sacrifice the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from their uncleanness. After that, the priest shall slaughter the burnt offering and offer it on the altar, together with the grain offering, and make atonement for them, and they will be clean."
Chapter 14 of Leviticus continues the laws concerning skin diseases and various molds that might appear in a house. Both issues of public health and safety as well as atonement for the patient in regard to their unclean condition brought by a skin disease are provided for. Health and safety issues are dealt with by examinations by the priest, possible isolation of the patient for a defined period, and bathing and shaving off all hair.
Atonement for the patient following their healing with a declaration by the priest was provided for with a guilt offering, a sin offering together with a burnt offering and grain offering.
The juxtaposition of procedures involving disease and a requirement for atonement for sin and guilt can't be missed here. It is my understanding that the need for atonement for the patient following recovery is not necessarily due to a sin the patient may have committed leading to the disease. Rather, the disease caused the patient to become ceremonially unclean requiring atonement.
It is a reminder to me that it was original sin itself that led to illnesses, infirmities and death from the fall of man in the garden of Eden. Mankind brought sickness and death upon himself.
Isaiah tells us that it would be God's Servant (Jesus Christ) who would bring the reversal of the curse mankind brought upon himself, Isaiah 53:4-6. If we embrace him in faith we receive the benefit from his atonement for our sins. The result being, "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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