How about a handshake! This an appropriate symbol of greeting one another, but lately, it’s been avoided by some with everything going on with Covid-19. Practicing hygiene is needed, and washing is good, which should be part of our everyday daily routine.
I didn’t realize that the Priests in the Old Testament had to check out the people who may have had some kind of infectious skin disease. The Lord gave Moses and Aaron regulations on how to go about doing this. The people had to present themselves to the Priests for them to pronounce “clean or unclean.” They were looking for a symbol of defilement physically. In addition, their clothing had to be checked for mildew and burned if it showed active evidence.
If they had symptoms like sores, boils, swelling, a rash, or a burn, they had to be isolated so contamination would not come into the camp, the tabernacle area. Since God was in the camp (the area around the courtyard and tabernacle), they had to be excluded.
“The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face, and cry out, “Unclean! Unclean!. He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.” (Leviticus 13: 45-46)
This custom seemed a little strange to me. Knowing you have a disease is bad enough, but yelling, “Unclean,” is one step further. I guess covering the lower part of their face would be like wearing a mask, in our culture. Hmmm! Even back in Biblical days, being isolated when you are infectious, was established.
What about the Priests? They had to be exposed to all of these diseases, but like our doctors and nurses, they must have been divinely protected.
Jesus today, still is teaching us the importance of keeping a clean and pure heart. He addresses the unrepentant cities, and “Began to denounce the cities in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent.” (Matthew 11: 20)
He then switches gears and talks about being weary and coming to Him. Having an unclean heart could leave one burdened down and weary. He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11: 28)
How does He give us rest? “The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33: 14)
Learn to position yourself in His place of rest. Sit down, take time from your busy schedule, put on a worship song, stop the “doing,” for a while, and just “be.” In our Western culture, we interpret this as “being unproductive.” Yet, it is not at all!
There’s a place that the Spirit of God is wooing us to. “Do not exalt yourself in the King’s presence, and do not claim a place among great men; it is better for Him to say to you, “Come up here…” (Proverbs 25: 7)
Move up to a better place! Present yourselves to Him; He is waiting!
(Leviticus 13, Matthew 11: 20-30, Proverbs 25, Modified)
UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES
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