Chapter 97 of 1163

LEVITICUS 15

The key words in this chapter are discharge (twenty-four times), unclean (twenty-nine times) and bathe in water (eleven times). Verses 1–15 refer to discharges from infections, while verses 16–30 refer to the discharges from the normal functions of the body. No doubt sanitation and health were parts of these laws, but fundamentally God was teaching His people how to live separate from defilement (vv. 31–33).

The body is not sinful, and bodily functions are not morally defiling. But man’s nature (what the Bible calls “the flesh”) is sinful and produces what is sinful and defiling (Mark 7:20–23; Gal. 5:19–21). If we are not careful, what we say and do, and what we are, will touch others and defile them as well (vv. 5–12; Matt. 23:25–28).

God made provision for Israel’s ceremonial uncleanness, and He has made provision for us. Our heavenly Advocate cleanses us when we come in contrition and confession (1 John 1:5–2:2; see also John 13:1–11). He keeps us clean through His blood (1 John 1:7) and through the cleansing power of His Word (John 15:3; Eph. 5:25–27).

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