Leviticus 14-15

OK, so if you're a little squeamish, the last two chapters were probably a bit rough for you. The bad news is that in chapter 15 it gets worse; but the good news is that if you can make it through this chapter, the worst is over!

Chapter 15 provides instructions to the Israelites for their personal cleanliness. These regulations covered various bodily discharges, emissions of semen, and menstrual flows – natural and otherwise. Not exactly pleasant stuff to think about, but remember that these also were part of God's design of the human body and sexuality. In each case, God provides instructions to minimize the spread of disease and for cleansing their impurities. By following these laws, God’s people were to be set apart, or made holy, from the pagan nations around them.

In chapter 16, we reach what is perhaps the pinnacle of God's instructions concerning the holiness of his people - the Day of Atonement. This was perhaps the most important of all the holy days prescribed by the Law. On this day, and only this day, the high priest, and only the high priest, could go into the most holy place of the tabernacle, and only in the exact manner which God prescribed. To deviate from these instructions in the slightest would mean certain death. Remember what happened to Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, when they offered "unauthorized fire" before the Lord in Leviticus 10? The message here, both then and now, is that we can approach God only on his terms, not ours.

Everything about this day was holy. On this day, the high priest would make offerings, first for himself and his household, and then for the whole nation. To appreciate the significance of everything described in this chapter, you should read Hebrews 7-10. The author of Hebrews tells us that the tabernacle itself, the day of atonement, the high priest, the sacrifices – they all served as “a copy and shadow of the heavenly things” (Heb 8:5). Ultimately, they pointed toward Jesus, who is the guarantor of a better covenant – the New Covenant – that we now enjoy (Heb 7:22). How should we respond to all this? The author of Hebrews sums it up as follows:

“19 Therefore, brothers, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way He has opened for us through the curtain (that is, His flesh), 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Heb 10:19-25)

You can read Leviticus 15-16 here.