Day 43 · Part 3: Out of Egypt

Clean and Unclean (1 of 2)

Lev 11–13 · 114 verses

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In the Story

Chapter 15: Clean and UncleanFrom the start, as far as Leviticus 13

In context

Leviticus 11–15 spell out what the priests were to teach: the difference “between the unclean and the clean” (Leviticus 10:10–11). Being unclean was a state, often for a short time, that kept a person away from holy things, such as the sanctuary and the meat of the offerings (Leviticus 7:20; 12:4). Touching the body of a dead animal, for one, made a person unclean “until the evening” (Leviticus 11:24).

Chapter 11 lists what Israel could eat: animals that have a split hoof and chew the cud, fish with fins and scales, and insects such as locusts and grasshoppers. The reason it gives is “be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44–45), words Peter quotes centuries later (1 Peter 1:16). Chapter 12 is about a mother after her baby is born.

Chapter 13 makes the priest the one who examines a sore on the skin. The word translated leprosy covers more than the disease called leprosy today: Leviticus uses it for spreading marks on skin, and for mildew in cloth and leather (Leviticus 13:2, 47–52). When a case was unclear, the priest kept the person apart for seven days and looked again (Leviticus 13:4–6). Someone declared unclean lived alone, outside the camp (Leviticus 13:45–46).

A word of hope

A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.” Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.” When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean.

Mark 1:40–42 · Leviticus 13 sends a person with leprosy to live alone outside the camp; Mark tells of Jesus touching such a man and making him clean.

For families

When a new mother’s days of being made clean were over, she brought the priest a year-old lamb and a young pigeon or a turtledove, or, if she couldn’t afford a lamb, two turtledoves or two young pigeons (Leviticus 12:6–8). After Jesus was born, Mary and Joseph brought “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Luke 2:22–24).

What do you know about the day you were born, or the day a child in your family was born?

In the Bible

World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).

A hymn for today

Just As I Am · words by Charlotte Elliott

Organ and orchestra: an introduction, then each of the 6 verses. Tap a verse’s number to start there.

Just as I am, without one plea,But that Thy blood was shed for me,And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, and waiting notTo rid my soul of one dark blot,To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, though tossed aboutWith many a conflict, many a doubt,Fightings and fears within, without,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;Sight, riches, healing of the mind,Yea, all I need, in Thee to find,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;Because Thy promise I believe,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Just as I am, Thy love unknownHath broken every barrier down;Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,O Lamb of God, I come, I come!