I'm currently reading through Leviticus. Chapter 11, verse 44 summarizes today's reading well:
For I am the LORD God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves,
and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:
neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.
Even though the ceremonial laws that chapter 11 describes are no longer in effect, there are certain principles which certainly are. The Law wasn't abrogated, but rather magnified: the Law underscores the existence of Clean and Unclean in the world. That has not changed, though the emphasis is more on the spiritual realm than the natural. What struck me today is how easy it was to become unclean.
The Hebrew pilgrims were surrounded by things that weren't clean (just consider the creepy crawly categories of the Unclean, as well as Rodents and Reptiles). And what about a man's best friend? The four-footed dog that walks on paws is unclean, too. If any of these creatures happens to die in your house, or on your belongings, they become unclean, as well as the person(s) who clean up the uncleanness (and the clothes worn and tools used).
It is still all too easy to become spotted by the world in which we live. That's why God intends His Word to guide every area of our lives, just as the ceremonial law did. Only by walking with Him and abiding in His Word can we fulfill the New Testament call to a holy life (I Pet. 1:15-16).
The unclean is ubiquitous (it's all over the place!). I think that's partly why God desires to permeate every portion of our life: our rising up and lying down, our goings throughout the day, and our relaxation at the end of the day (Deut. 6:5-9). May that which has the power to keep us holy and spiritually healthy gain greater preeminence in our lives!
and ye shall be holy; for I am holy:
neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing
that creepeth upon the earth.
Even though the ceremonial laws that chapter 11 describes are no longer in effect, there are certain principles which certainly are. The Law wasn't abrogated, but rather magnified: the Law underscores the existence of Clean and Unclean in the world. That has not changed, though the emphasis is more on the spiritual realm than the natural. What struck me today is how easy it was to become unclean.
The Hebrew pilgrims were surrounded by things that weren't clean (just consider the creepy crawly categories of the Unclean, as well as Rodents and Reptiles). And what about a man's best friend? The four-footed dog that walks on paws is unclean, too. If any of these creatures happens to die in your house, or on your belongings, they become unclean, as well as the person(s) who clean up the uncleanness (and the clothes worn and tools used).
It is still all too easy to become spotted by the world in which we live. That's why God intends His Word to guide every area of our lives, just as the ceremonial law did. Only by walking with Him and abiding in His Word can we fulfill the New Testament call to a holy life (I Pet. 1:15-16).
The unclean is ubiquitous (it's all over the place!). I think that's partly why God desires to permeate every portion of our life: our rising up and lying down, our goings throughout the day, and our relaxation at the end of the day (Deut. 6:5-9). May that which has the power to keep us holy and spiritually healthy gain greater preeminence in our lives!
Dear Rapp, I hope you do this more often- it is better than Spurgeon, and I like to read him. You are so right that the unclean is all around us and it is only by God's grace that we are kept from it. Have a nice day! Love, Mom
ReplyDeleteI agree with Julie! Keep'm coming!
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