Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 16:1-6.  

“Now the LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they had approached the presence of the LORD and died.  The LORD said to Moses:

“Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die;  for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.  Aaron shall enter the holy place with this:  with a bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.  He shall put on the holy linen tunic, and the linen undergarments shall be next to his body, and he shall be girded with the linen sash and attired with the linen turban (these are holy garments).  Then he shall bathe his body in water and put them on.  He shall take from the congregation of the sons of Israel two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering.  Then Aaron shall offer the bull for the sin offering which is for himself, that he may make atonement for himself and for his household.  He shall take the two goats and present them before the LORD at the doorway of the tent of meeting.”  Leviticus 16:1-6.    

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From the start by the warning of death, today’s Scripture leads us to meditate on how we should approach the Holy LORD.

“4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.” Psalm 5:4-6.

“God is a righteous judge,
And a God who has indignation every day.” Psalm 7:11.

“2 … Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.
3 Fire goes before Him
And burns up His adversaries round about.” Psalm 97:2-3.

“But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5.

“10 Now therefore, O kings, show discernment;
Take warning, O judges of the earth.
11 Worship the LORD with reverence
And rejoice with trembling.
12 Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the way,
For His wrath may soon be kindled.
How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 2:10-12.

How do we worship the LORD with reverence?

We notice that Aaron was commanded to bathe and put on the holy linen tunic and enter the holy place with offerings.  How do we do these things?

As Aaron represented the sons of Israel, we need a high priest to do these things for us.

Q. 15. What sort of a mediator and deliverer then must we seek for?

A. For one who is very man, and perfectly righteous;  and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is also very God.  Heidelberg Catechism.

But, there is hope!

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:15-16.

“For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;  he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness;  and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself.  And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.”  Hebrews 5:1-4.

“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.  And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 5:8-10.

“And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.  For it is attested of Him,

“YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.” Hebrews 7:15-17.

“The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.  Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;  who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”  Hebrews 7:23-27. 

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14.

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”  Ephesians 1:7.

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”  Hebrews 10:19-22. 

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus chapter 15.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2015&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them.”  This is the law for the one with a discharge, and for the man who has a seminal emission so that he is unclean by it, and for the woman who is ill because of menstrual impurity, and for the one who has a discharge, whether a male or a female, or a man who lies with an unclean woman.”  Leviticus 15:31-33.

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First, let us remember that physical uncleanness in Scripture is often used to remind us of spiritual sin.  

Next to chapters of Scripture that concerns uncleanness arising out of very unusual leprosy is this chapter of uncleanness that arises out of very common discharges.  I do not think this was a coincidence.  When we read of uncleanness arising out of very unusual leprosy, we may be tempted to think of ourselves as clean, needing no cleansing.  But, today’s Scripture makes us realize how unclean we are and how much we need cleansing.  

So, let us first humble ourselves as is good to do in any event.  “But He gives a greater grace.  Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”  James 4:6. 

Reformed Doctrine teaches “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation, as more fully taught in the Canons of Dordt.  The five letters of “TULIP” represent “Total Depravity”, “Unconditional Election”, “Limited Atonement”, “Irresistible Grace”, and “Preservation of the Saints”.  

“TULIP” starts with “Total Depravity”, the “T” of “TULIP”.  Due to the fall of Adam (through Adam’s sin), we were “dead” in sin.  Ephesians 2:1-5.  Every part of man is affected by sin.  As we learned yesterday in the main Scripture we studied concerning hyssop, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me.”  Psalm 51:5.  We were hostile to God.  Romans 8:7 and Colossians 1:21.  We were in bondage to sin.  Romans 7:14-15.

“10 as it is written,

“THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,
THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;
12 ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;
THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,
THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE.” Romans 3:10-12.

The fallen condition of man is not that we are only affected or injured by the presence of sin.  Rather,  “… you were dead in your trespasses and sins,”  Ephesians 2:1.

But, there is hope!

In the worst case of discharge, Jesus was able to clean the woman fully and immediately.  “And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak;  for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.”  But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.”  At once the woman was made well.”  Matthew 9:20-22.

The Law considered people unclean who were touched by someone unclean, see for example Leviticus 15:11, but Jesus did not scold the woman for touching His cloak.  Jesus did not even scold those who beat him.  

“But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him,
And by His scourging we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

So to speak, we walk through a dirty world, often in sandals.  But, there is more hope!

“Jesus *said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean;  and you are clean, but not all of you.”  John 13:10.

“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.”  John 15:3.

“…  Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”   Ephesians 5:25-26. 

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 14:33-57.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2014&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“If, on the other hand, the priest comes in and makes an inspection and the mark has not indeed spread in the house after the house has been replastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean because the mark has not reappeared.  To cleanse the house then, he shall take two birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop, and he shall slaughter the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water.  Then he shall take the cedar wood and the hyssop and the scarlet string, with the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird as well as in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times.  He shall thus cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and with the running water, along with the live bird and with the cedar wood and with the hyssop and with the scarlet string.  However, he shall let the live bird go free outside the city into the open field.  So he shall make atonement for the house, and it will be clean.”  Leviticus 14:48-53.

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We do not need to know the chemical composition of hyssop as to how it cleans, or why the LORD commanded its use for cleansing, in order to profit by understanding the importance of cleansing.

“5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.
9 Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You.” Psalm 51:5-13.

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;  I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.  Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you;  and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”  Ezekiel 36:25-27.

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 14:1-32.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2014&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing.  Now he shall be brought to the priest, and the priest shall go out to the outside of the camp.  Thus the priest shall look, and if the infection of leprosy has been healed in the leper, then the priest shall give orders to take two live clean birds and cedar wood and a scarlet string and hyssop for the one who is to be cleansed.  The priest shall also give orders to slay the one bird in an earthenware vessel over running water.  As for the live bird, he shall take it together with the cedar wood and the scarlet string and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was slain over the running water.  He shall then sprinkle seven times the one who is to be cleansed from the leprosy and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the live bird go free over the open field.  The one to be cleansed shall then wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe in water and be clean.  Now afterward, he may enter the camp, but he shall stay outside his tent for seven days.  It will be on the seventh day that he shall shave off all his hair:  he shall shave his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair.  He shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water and be clean.

“Now on the eighth day he is to take two male lambs without defect, and a yearling ewe lamb without defect, and three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering, and one log of oil;  and the priest who pronounces him clean shall present the man to be cleansed and the aforesaid before the LORD at the doorway of the tent of meeting.  Then the priest shall take the one male lamb and bring it for a guilt offering, with the log of oil, and present them as a wave offering before the LORD.  Next he shall slaughter the male lamb in the place where they slaughter the sin offering and the burnt offering, at the place of the sanctuary—for the guilt offering, like the sin offering, belongs to the priest;  it is most holy.  The priest shall then take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot.  The priest shall also take some of the log of oil, and pour it into his left palm;  the priest shall then dip his right-hand finger into the oil that is in his left palm, and with his finger sprinkle some of the oil seven times before the LORD.  Of the remaining oil which is in his palm, the priest shall put some on the right ear lobe of the one to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the blood of the guilt offering;  while the rest of the oil that is in the priest’s palm, he shall put on the head of the one to be cleansed.  So the priest shall make atonement on his behalf before the LORD.  The priest shall next offer the sin offering and make atonement for the one to be cleansed from his uncleanness.  Then afterward, he shall slaughter the burnt offering.  The priest shall offer up the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar.  Thus the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be clean.”  Leviticus 14:1-20.  

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“When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.  And a leper came to Him and bowed down before Him, and said, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”  Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing;  be cleansed.”   And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.  And Jesus *said to him, “See that you tell no one;  but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”  Matthew 8:1-4.

In sharp contrast to all the details of the Law to make the leper clean, Jesus simply said:  “be cleansed.”  “And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”

The “testimony”, also known as witness, is that Jesus has come and only Jesus can cleanse us.     

“For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near.”  Hebrews 10:1.

“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation;  and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”  Hebrews 9:11-12.

“…  Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing;  but that she would be holy and blameless.”   Ephesians 5:25-26. 

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 13:45-59.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, ‘Unclean!  Unclean!’  He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection;  he is unclean.  He shall live alone;  his dwelling shall be outside the camp.”  Leviticus 13:45-46. 

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Sin is far more dangerous than leprosy, but in stunning contrast to the outcast of the leper, the forgiven sinner is welcomed into the holy place of God and encouraged to mingle with God’s own people.

“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;  and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;  and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”  Hebrews 10:19-25.

Let us specifically contrast the points.

The leper’s clothes shall be torn, but the forgiven sinner wears a robe of righteousness.

“I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10.

The leper’s hair of his head shall be uncovered likely showing the leprosy breaking out on his head, but the forgiven sinner’s head is anointed with oil and covered with the helmet of salvation, and the forgiven sinner will receive the unfading crown of glory.

“…  You have anointed my head with oil;  …”  Psalm 23:5.

“And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, …”  Ephesians 6:17.

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”  1 Peter 5:4.

The leper shall cry, ‘Unclean!  Unclean!’ and remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection, but the heart of the forgiven sinner is sprinkled clean from an evil conscience with even the consciousness of sins removed. 

In contrast to the Law and the continuing offering of bulls and goats thereunder, the blood of Jesus cleanses the forgiven sinner so thoroughly that even the consciousness of sins is removed.  “Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?”  Hebrews 10:2.

The leper lives alone with his dwelling outside the camp, but the forgiven sinner has “confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus” and lives together with God’s own people, other  forgiven sinners, in order “to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, … encouraging one another”.

“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.”  Hebrews 10:14. 

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 13:1-44.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling or a scab or a bright spot, and it becomes an infection of leprosy on the skin of his body, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests.  The priest shall look at the mark on the skin of the body, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the infection appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is an infection of leprosy; when the priest has looked at him, he shall pronounce him unclean.  But if the bright spot is white on the skin of his body, and it does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and the hair on it has not turned white, then the priest shall isolate him who has the infection for seven days.  The priest shall look at him on the seventh day, and if in his eyes the infection has not changed and the infection has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days.  The priest shall look at him again on the seventh day, and if the infection has faded and the mark has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean;  it is only a scab.  And he shall wash his clothes and be clean.

“But if the scab spreads farther on the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall appear again to the priest.  The priest shall look, and if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean;  it is leprosy.”  Leviticus 13:1-8. 

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Today’s Scripture gives detailed procedures to test for leprosy.  The more general lesson that we can glean is the importance of wisdom received from God to discern good from bad.  

“My son, if you will receive my words
And treasure my commandments within you,
2 Make your ear attentive to wisdom,
Incline your heart to understanding;
3 For if you cry for discernment,
Lift your voice for understanding;
4 If you seek her as silver
And search for her as for hidden treasures;
5 Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God.
6 For the LORD gives wisdom;
From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 Guarding the paths of justice,
And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
9 Then you will discern righteousness and justice
And equity and every good course.” Proverbs 2:1-8.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus chapter 12.

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying:

‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean.  On the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.  Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days;  she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary until the days of her purification are completed.  But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation;  and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days.

‘When the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting a one year old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering.  Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood.  This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female.  But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering;  and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”  Leviticus chapter 12.

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Why do we need to cover this chapter?

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:16-17.

It is unfair that the law requires a longer period of purification for a woman who bears a female child than for a male child!

“On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?  The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?”  Romans 9:20.

Why did Mary who gave birth to the perfect most holy Jesus, God the Son, need to be purified?

“Then the LORD said to Job,

2 “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it.”

3 Then Job answered the LORD and said,

4 “Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 “Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;
Even twice, and I will add nothing more.” Job 40:1-5.

Consider the blessing of obedience.   

“For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”  Romans 5:19.

“And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “EVERY firstborn MALE THAT OPENS THE WOMB SHALL BE CALLED HOLY TO THE LORD”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A PAIR OF TURTLEDOVES OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS.”

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon;  and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel;  and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  And he came in the Spirit into the temple;  and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said,

“Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace,
According to Your word;
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES,
And the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:22-32.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 11:24-27.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2011&version=NASB1995

“‘By these, moreover, you will be made unclean:  whoever touches their carcasses becomes unclean until evening, and whoever picks up any of their carcasses shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.  …  Also whatever walks on its paws, among all the creatures that walk on all fours, are unclean to you;  whoever touches their carcasses becomes unclean until evening, and the one who picks up their carcasses shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening;  they are unclean to you.

…  

‘Also if one of the animals dies which you have for food, the one who touches its carcass becomes unclean until evening.  He too, who eats some of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening, and the one who picks up its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening.

‘Now every swarming thing that swarms on the earth is detestable, not to be eaten.  …  Do not render yourselves detestable through any of the swarming things that swarm;  and you shall not make yourselves unclean with them so that you become unclean.  For I am the LORD your God.  Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy.  And you shall not make yourselves unclean with any of the swarming things that swarm on the earth.  For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God;  thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

This is the law regarding the animal and the bird, and every living thing that moves in the waters and everything that swarms on the earth, to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten.”  Leviticus 11:24-25 and 27-28 and 39-41 and 43-47.

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As we read through these Scriptures in the book of Leviticus, we continue to see the theme:  “to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean”.  

In today’s Scripture, we generally meditate on how strict the LORD’S provisions were in avoiding and dealing with exposure to the unclean.  We specifically meditate on avoiding and dealing with exposure to carcasses which are dead bodies.   

Through God’s grace, we recognize that we ourselves, so to speak, were carcasses, dead bodies by being dead in sin.  “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”  Ephesians 2:1-3. 

But, there is hope!

“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:4-7.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;  seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.  For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.”  2 Peter 1:2-4. 

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely;  and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.

Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 11:1-23.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2011&version=NASB1995

I quote only the following verses.

“The LORD spoke again to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘These are the creatures which you may eat from all the animals that are on the earth.  Whatever divides a hoof, thus making split hoofs, and chews the cud, among the animals, that you may eat.  Nevertheless, you are not to eat of these, among those which chew the cud, or among those which divide the hoof:  the camel, for though it chews cud, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you.  Likewise, the shaphan, for though it chews cud, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you;  the rabbit also, for though it chews cud, it does not divide the hoof, it is unclean to you;  and the pig, for though it divides the hoof, thus making a split hoof, it does not chew cud, it is unclean to you.  You shall not eat of their flesh nor touch their carcasses;  they are unclean to you.

‘These you may eat, whatever is in the water: all that have fins and scales, those in the water, in the seas or in the rivers, you may eat.  But whatever is in the seas and in the rivers that does not have fins and scales among all the teeming life of the water, and among all the living creatures that are in the water, they are detestable things to you, and they shall be abhorrent to you;  you may not eat of their flesh, and their carcasses you shall detest.  Whatever in the water does not have fins and scales is abhorrent to you.”  Leviticus 11:1-12.  

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“For I am the LORD who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God;  thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’”

This is the law regarding the animal and the bird, and every living thing that moves in the waters and everything that swarms on the earth, to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the edible creature and the creature which is not to be eaten.”  Leviticus 11:1-12.   

It is important “to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean”.

“17 “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says the Lord.
“AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN;
And I will welcome you.
18 “And I will be a father to you,
And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,”
Says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.

“14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers;  for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  15 Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  16 Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God;  just as God said,

“I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM;
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-16.

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this:  to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  James 1:27.

“4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil dwells with You.
5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6 You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.” Psalm 5:4-7.