This chapter covers laws for purification – specifically someone who becomes unclean through proximity of a dead body or place where a person has died.
“Whoever touches the dead body of any person shall be unclean seven days. He shall cleanse himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day, and so be clean. But if he does not cleanse himself on the third day and on the seventh day, he will not become clean. Whoever touches a dead person, the body of anyone who has died, and does not cleanse himself, defiles the tabernacle of the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not thrown on him, he shall be unclean. His uncleanness is still on him.” (v11-13)
Though there is far more detail in the other verses, including how to purify the water that is to be used in the ceremonial washing, the point is very clear – God, being absolutely righteous and pure, will not allow impurity in His presence (at the tent of meeting). Anyone who is/remains impure is to be cut off from the people (essentially executed) so they don’t spread the impurity.
Now, the washing described was physical, which is important (personal hygiene may not have always been a priority for people), however it signified an intellectual component and spiritual cleansing as well, which equally critical. This washing, done symbolically with water, is the same idea as baptism – it’s a physical symbol of our willful submission to God and spiritual cleansing.
Every law of sacrifice, cleansing or feast, though containing a physical component, carries far a deeper spiritual meaning. Since we are created as triune beings, containing physical (body & tongue), intellectual (mind/will) and spiritual parts, these laws and rituals also contained physical (actionable), intellectual (calculated planning, intention, willfulness) and spiritual (heart posture) components. We, like God, and His laws, all have three parts.
My takeaway today is a renewed sense of holistic approach to my overall well-being. Most people seem to naturally gravitate toward 1 or 2 of the 3 components. Non-believers are pretty good at looking after themselves physically and intellectually. Many Christ followers have a better balance of all three aspects, though some (like myself) still favor 2/3 areas. For me personally, my intellectual and spiritual side get the lion’s share of my attention. I don’t take care of my physical aspect – I don’t eat right, and I don’t like exercising. Since this is not an interest or motivation of mine, I really struggle in this area (I mean really, really, struggle – as in I loathe physical exercise [did I mention I hate exercise?]).
God wants us to be effective and fully submitted Christ followers, which means submitting our entire being (all three parts) to Him and His leadership. What I need to consider today is which part(s) am I not fully submitting, and how can I submit that/those part(s) to God right now, starting today?
Father God, please forgive us, for we have been impure beings. We have not only sinned from a spiritual standpoint, our intellectual and physical beings have become less than fully submitted to You as well. This is part of the sinful nature, that every fiber of our broken beings rebels against You. Father please be gracious with us and guide us into full submission to You – we recognize You are deserving of our entire being, not just 1/3-2/3 of us. Please help us on our journey to be fully devoted Christ followers, for we are far from flawless at this (especially me). Jesus please model the way. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training