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 14:2-7,
"These are the regulations for any diseased person at the time of their ceremonial cleansing, when they are brought to the priest: The priest is to go outside the camp and examine them. If they have been healed of their defiling skin disease, the priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the person to be cleansed. Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot. He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the defiling disease, and then pronounce them clean. After that, he is to release the live bird in the open fields."
Here is the requirement the Lord gave Moses for the ceremonial cleansing after a person was healed of a "defiling skin disease".These directions have nothing to do with how the person might be healed, but what was to be done following the healing to bring him back into the fellowship of God's community.
Setting aside the cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop, the two birds attract my attention this morning. Jewish custom in years following Moses called for sparrows to be used in this rite. It has been suggested that possibly doves may have been the initial intention, but the type of bird is not specified by the Lord. What is specified is that one bird was to be killed and the other released to freedom after having been immersed in the blood of the bird that was killed.
According to ancient ideas, some have thought the two birds represent the transference of uncleanness to animals with the bird set free as a symbol of the leper's new freedom. A much better understanding of what God may have intended we take from this ritual is seen in the forgiveness of sin: the one bird representing the death of Jesus Christ and the other, his resurrection.
This morning, however, I am struck with the thought of the birds that One died, and the other was set free to live after having been immersed in the blood of the other. Jesus Christ and me. Jesus Christ and all of us who have embraced him in faith.
In any event, how grateful I am for Jesus Christ that he gave his life for me that I might live! "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us." Ephesians 1:7.
"These are the regulations for any diseased person at the time of their ceremonial cleansing, when they are brought to the priest: The priest is to go outside the camp and examine them. If they have been healed of their defiling skin disease, the priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the person to be cleansed. Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot. He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the defiling disease, and then pronounce them clean. After that, he is to release the live bird in the open fields."
Here is the requirement the Lord gave Moses for the ceremonial cleansing after a person was healed of a "defiling skin disease".These directions have nothing to do with how the person might be healed, but what was to be done following the healing to bring him back into the fellowship of God's community.
Setting aside the cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop, the two birds attract my attention this morning. Jewish custom in years following Moses called for sparrows to be used in this rite. It has been suggested that possibly doves may have been the initial intention, but the type of bird is not specified by the Lord. What is specified is that one bird was to be killed and the other released to freedom after having been immersed in the blood of the bird that was killed.
According to ancient ideas, some have thought the two birds represent the transference of uncleanness to animals with the bird set free as a symbol of the leper's new freedom. A much better understanding of what God may have intended we take from this ritual is seen in the forgiveness of sin: the one bird representing the death of Jesus Christ and the other, his resurrection.
This morning, however, I am struck with the thought of the birds that One died, and the other was set free to live after having been immersed in the blood of the other. Jesus Christ and me. Jesus Christ and all of us who have embraced him in faith.
In any event, how grateful I am for Jesus Christ that he gave his life for me that I might live! "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us." Ephesians 1:7.
I have been set free to live! For all eternity! How about you?
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.
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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