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Seperation From God 02.06.08
Hello My Friend/Guest,
It is Wednesday February 6, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Leviticus, please read Leviticus 14 -- 15. In today's lesson we will read and learn about purification after having skin diseases; signs of leprosy; uncleanness of men and women; seperation from sin; and the sacrifice for cleansing from defilements.
All lepers were consigned to isolation beyond the reach of human aid because of their disease. They would surely defile everything and everyone they touched. "He is a leprous man, he is unclean: the priest shall pronounce him utterly unclean; his plague is in his head. And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be." (Leviticus 13:44-46).
The word leprosy struck terror in the heart of an Israelite for two reasons. First, the person who had leprosy became an outcast from society. He was forced to leave his home, his family, friends, and the place of worship. He was only able to exist outside the camp. When anyone went near him, the leper had to cry out the warning: Unclean, unclean. But perhaps the most horrifying reason leprosy was so feared was that there was no known cure for it. At first leprosy seems harmless, a small white or pink spot on the skin and, in its earliest stages, it is totally painless. The spot might remain for months or even years before it begins to develop further. Eventually, leprosy produces an extremely repulsive disfigurement of the entire body, including spongy tumor-like swellings on the face and head.
In the following chapters God gave specific instructions for those who were declared lepers and all people and things who were around him. "And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: ....And he that is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean: and after that he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent seven days....Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house: And he shall look on the plague, and, behold, if the plague be in the walls of the house with hollow strakes, greenish or reddish, which in sight are lower than the wall; Then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days:" (14:1-2, 8, 36-3
Leprosy illustrates how sin may first appear as insignificant, harmless, or painless. However, like leprosy, sin immediately separates us from God and makes us unclean. People controlled by sin exist in a state of living death, they have to continue over and over again to try and make things right only to be plagued by it. However, God has given us a way to be cleansed from all that through our Lord Jesus Christ. When we turn to Christ, truly repent, and forsake our sins, the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins, and to cleanse us from all sin no matter how big or small.
As we prepare for a season of reflection and atonement for our sins we learn that "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once we accept that we are sinners, want to be forgiven, and want Jesus in our lives the Holy Spirit will enable us to be transformed and renew in us a right relationship with God. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2).
In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed as the priest who made atonement for the leper (Leviticus 14:20). The priest was symbolic of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received atonement. (Romans 5:11).
Today's Psalm: 18:32
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."
Today's Prayer: From Psalm 27:1-6
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
Take some time today to reflect on the year past and asked God to forgiven you of any forgotten sins as this is Ash Wednesday, the day for atonement.
Have a wonderful day/night and God bless you.
Christina
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