There were, of course, certain conditions of uncleanness
Uncleanness 229
3. Lesser DEFILEMENTS
There were, of course, certain conditions of uncleanness according to the ancient law less lasting in their defilement than others. An instance, among many, of this is seen in Numbers xxxt. 13 ff. Soldiers were obliged to purify themselves according to the ceremony of the law and to abide without the camp seven days, till their purification were accomplished. For they had had their hands in blood, by which, though they had not contracted any moral guilt, the war being just and lawful, yet they were brought under ceremonial uncleanness. This rendered them unfit to come near the Tabernacle till they were purified. Thus God would preserve in their minds a dread and detestation of murder. David must not build the Temple because he had been a man of war and had shed blood (1 Chron.
XXvill. 3). Nor, again, could they have been in battle without having touched dead bodies by which they were polluted. And that required that they should be purified with the water of separation.
In this connection we might remind ourselves of the sermon preached by the prophet Haggai (Hag. 1. 13). Speaking of the uncleanness which follows from touching a dead body, he says in effect that pollution is easier communicated than sanctification. There are many ways of vice but only one of virtue, and that a dificult one. Good implies perfection, evil commences with the slightest defect. Let not men think that living among good people will recommend them to God if they be not good themselves. But let them fear that touching the unclean thing will defile them, and therefore let them keep at a distance from it.
4. MAn's CONSCIOUSNESS OF UNCLEANNESS The prophets were highly sensitive to the condition of uncleanness. Isaiah in his prophecy (Isa. vt. 5ff.) reflected upon himself and his condition and was terrified. 'I am undone," if God deal with me in strict justice, for I have made myself obnoxious to His displeasure, "because I am a man of unclean lips." Some think that he refers particularly to some rash words he had spoken, or to his sinful silence in not reproving sin with the boldness and freedom that was necessary; a sin which God's ministers have too much cause to charge themselves with, and to blush at the remembrance of it. But it may