pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: purification


by Leave a comment

Faithfully (?) Forward

Readings: Numbers 19, Numbers 20, Numbers 21

Numbers 21:34 – “Don’t be afraid of him, for I have handed over all his people and his land.”

Photo credit: Felipe Correia

As we continue into Numbers 19-21 we begin to see the people learning some of the rules of the road. There are still times when the step forward is followed by a step back. Yet they are finally beginning to move forward and to better understand what God requires and expects of them as a holy nation.

Chapter 19 contains more instructions. It begins with instructions on how to make the waters of purification. A flawless, unworked red bull is slaughtered… Its ashes are mixed with water, creating a holy water that can be used to purify uncleanliness. Next comes an application of said water. This water will be used to purify people and things that come into contact with a dead body, making them unclean for 7 days. On days 3 and 7 all that is unclean is sprinkled by the water. On day 7 unclean people bathe and wash their clothing, allowing them to return to community life.

At the start of chapter 20 Miriam dies and is buried. There is no water there. Complaints arise. God tells Moses and Aaron to gather the people and to tell the rock to provide water. God’s glory will be revealed. Instead, Moses strikes the rock, in essence claiming that he and Aaron brought forth water. God then declares that Moses will not enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience. Moving on the Israelites ask for safe passage through Edom. The king refuses and comes out in force to prevent their passing through. They begin the long trek around Edom. Aaron dies along the way on Mount Hor. Leadership as high priest is passed on to his son Eleazar. Israel mourns 30 days for Aaron.

In chapter 21 the Israelites are attacked and they seek God’s help. God gives them the victory! And they follow this up with more complaints about another lack of water. God responds by sending poisonous snakes into the camp. This serves as a wakeup call. The people repent, Moses prays, God saves. After marching for a bit, the Israelites offered up songs of praise and thanksgiving. This is followed up by a crushing defeat of the king of Sihon. As the next battle draws near, God says, “Don’t be afraid of him, for I have handed over all his people and his land.” Victory over Og follows. Israel now possesses all of the lands east of the Jordan – the natural barrier into the Promised Land. The journey is nearing its close.

Prayer: Lord God, while all is not perfect and is, in many ways still far from it, we are beginning to see signs of faith and trust poking out here and there. Israel is yet a work in progress here. So too are we, O God. Guide and lead our journeys of faith too. Build up our faith and trust in you as we learn to live faithfully and obediently. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Love and Care

Readings: Leviticus 11, Leviticus 12, Leviticus 13, Leviticus 14

Leviticus 11:40 – “I am the LORD your God. You must keep yourselves holy and be holy, because I am holy.”

Today’s reading begins with dietary laws. They generally fall along the lines of clean versus unclean. The clean animals have completely divided hooves and rechew their food. These are the animals that are used for sacrifices. Also edible are water creatures with fins and scales, non-carion birds, and insects that hop. All other creatures are unclean and therefore cannot be eaten. At the end of this section we read, “I am the LORD your God. You must keep yourselves holy and be holy, because I am holy.” Clean = holy.

Chapter 12 contains instructions for becoming clean again after childbirth. A mother is unclean for 7 days after birth. After this isolation period, she spends 33 days in a state of “blood purification” if it is a boy. In this state she cannot enter or touch the holy. If the child is a girl this state lasts for 66 days. Welcome to a patriarchal society!

Chapters 13 and 14 deal with infections and contagious diseases and the process of purification required to re-enter society. The priest serves as a physician or as the inspector. In general, open wounds made one unclean. Seven day quarantines were pretty standard. This time apart helped with diagnosis and it prevented spread. Unclean persons were required to appear in a state of mourning (torn clothes…) and shouted “Unclean!” to prevent clean people from coming near.

The purification ritual began with two birds being offered as cleansing. Clothes were washed and all hair was shaved off. After seven days of isolation, washing and shaving was repeated. If clean, the person brought animals, grain, and oil to the priest. Each was offered as prescribed. Blood and oil were applied to the right earlobe, thumb, and big toe. This blessed what the clean person would hear and do, and where they would go as they re-entered the community.

As I read and pondered these ancient laws and rituals, I am struck that these were the means and ways that God cared for and loved the people in that time and place. With very limited medical understanding this was how God kept the people safe, clean, whole, and holy. This is love and grace in action.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for the love and care that you used to guide and lead and protect Israel. The realities of their time and place – they were part of your plan. You continue to love and care for us in this time and place. Thank you. Amen.


by Leave a comment

Holy and Just Lives

Readings: Leviticus 8, Leviticus 9, Leviticus 10

Leviticus 9:24 – “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.”

Today’s reading begins with the purification and ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests. They are washed, dressed in their priestly clothing, and are anointed with holy oil. The tabernacle and all in it are also anointed as holy. On Aaron and sons’ behalf, Moses offers a bull as a purification offering and then a ram as an entirely burned offering. Aaron and sons place their hands on the heads of each sacrifice. A second ram is sacrificed as an ordination offering. The breast of the ram and some bread is offered as an uplifted offering. Aaron and his sons stay at the entrance to the tent of meeting for 7 days, as required by the Lord.

Next Aaron performs all of the sacrifices. This act is both symbolic and practical. Moses oversees it all. Aaron first offers a bull and then a ram as the priest’s purification and wholly burned offerings. He then offers the same for the people, followed by the people’s grain and well-being offerings. This completes the entire set of sacrificial rituals. Moses and Aaron then enter the tent of meeting. Emerging from the tabernacle, “Fire flew out from before the LORD… All the people saw it. They shouted for joy and fell facedown.” This is a sign of God’s validation. All has been done exactly as the Lord commanded.

Another act of disobedience occurs as chapter 10 begins. Nadab and Abihu, two of Aaron’s sons, offer unauthorized fire before the Lord. Again fire flew out from the Lord. This time it consumes Nadab and Abihu. This is a sign of God’s disapproval. Aaron is stunned so Moses takes over. The bodies are removed and Moses gives instructions for mourning. He specifically prohibits two Canaanite mourning practices. After some instructions on priestly eating and drinking, Eleazar and Ithamar fail to eat their portion of a sacrifice. They erred on the side of caution and safety, so Moses anger relents.

Today we are reminded of the importance of living as the Lord commands. In our own calls to model and reflect God’s love and God’s holiness, may we strive to live holy and just lives.

Prayer: Lord God, by the power of the Holy Spirit lead and guide us to live lives that are pleasing to your sight. May our very lives be a pleasing aroma that brings joy to you, O Lord. Amen.


by Leave a comment

God Still Provides a Way

Readings: Leviticus 5, Leviticus 6, Leviticus 7

Leviticus 7:30 – “Your own hands must bring the LORD’s food gifts.”

Chapter 5 opens with a few more ways that we can sin – by withholding information in a trial, by touching something or someone unclean, by carelessly swearing. A purification offering is required. Access is also made available to the poor. If one cannot afford an animal from the flock, doves or pigeons are acceptable. If one can’t afford this, choice flour is acceptable. This provides all people with equal access to all parts of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Then the text turns to unintentional sin against the “Lord’s holy things.” In addition to the purification offering, one-fifth of the value of the holy thing is given as a compensation offering.

Chapter 6 begins as chapter 5 had, with some other sins we could and do commit. These sins are deception, cheating, lying, and swearing falsely in things dealing with property. Again the one-fifth compensation offering is added to the purification offering. The rest of chapter 6 and most of chapter 7 covers “Priestly Instructions.” It covers the priest’s roles in the various offerings. Detail is added in terms of how they perform their duties and in how they are to eat their portions that provide compensation for doing their priestly duties.

Chapter 7 closes with a few more instructions for the people. They are not to eat anything that has touched something unclean. They are not to eat the fat of the ox, sheep, or goat. They are not to eat blood. And they must bring their offering to the Lord with their own hands. While most of what we read today pertains to another time, this last one remains true. We must bring our own confessions to the Lord. We must repent of our own sins. We take responsibility for ourselves. So be it.

Prayer: Lord God, today’s readings remind me of two things. First, we can and do sin in many different ways. Some are intentional, some are unintentional. Second, you still provide a way to be reconciled and forgiven. Thank you for your unending grace and mercy. Amen.