The great physicians prescription


The previous chapter dealt with uncleanness caused by actions ie consuming and touching the unclean animals. Today’s passages focus on physical conditions of the people that caused uncleanness. These prescriptions (laws) do have medical and hygienic benefits.

📝 Childbirth & Purification(12:1-8)
Childbirth caused a woman to become ceremonially unclean for a period of 40 Days ( a week + 33 ) for a son and 80 Days ( 2 weeks + 66 ) for a daughter (v 1-5). I do not know why there was the difference in the period of seclusion.
✅ Treatment : The mother was required to give a burnt offering and a small sin offering for purification. With this she is purified, ceremonially clean and be able to join in worship.

📝 Various Skin Diseases ( 13 : 1-46)
Aaron might not have a medical degree of that day , but the the Great Physician gave him the instructions to identify the diseases and the treatment that are to be followed. Amongst all the skin diseases – Leprosy was considered to be the most dreaded one . This unclean person are to wear torn clothes , not to tend hair , cover their lips and cry out Unclean to all who come near to them , and they are shifted and kept in isolation.
✅ Treatment : After keeping in isolation with strict observation and performing other formalities , the required sacrifices are to be made for cleansing. Finally Dr Aaron will come and observe the patient, and will declare him FIT .

📝 Cleansing from Mildew ( 13:47-59 ; 14:33-53)
Any mould , fungus , mildew found in home or are in contact with clothings are considered to be unclean , and they are to be removed. In other words, mould , fungus and mildew can be present / found in the Israelites’ home ( “.. a People chosen by the Lord ” ). They need to search it out diligently and remove them out ( A lesson for us )
📌 Let us ponder :
Is there any mildew on our clothings ❓
Is mould , fungus or mildew defiling your house ❓

📝 Human Discharges( 15: 1-30 )
All the bodily discharges ( Emissions and Periods) are unclean in the sight of God. This law is very personal to all the Israelites with a view to lead a clean , hygienic individual life .

✅ The purpose of all these laws on uncleanness is clearly given in 15:31 ✒ You must keep the Israelites separated from things that make them unclean , so they will not die in their uncleanness for defiling my dwelling place ..” .

📌 All these rituals , cleansing , offerings and sacrifices are symbolizing Consecration , Atonement and God’s blessings upon the person. In most of the cases the blood plays the vital role . “.. without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness..” Heb 9:22.

✝ Christ’s sacrifice was perfect , and it did not need to be repeated , and in him we have redemption through his blood , the forgiveness of sins .. Heb 9: 12; Eph 1:7.
If you are undergoing a crisis or having a health problem , come to Jesus . His blood will cleanse you from all unrighteousness and sicknesses.

Glory to God 🙌
✍🏾 Mark Boje, ArP 🇮🇳