Journal Through the Bible: Week 18 Friday

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Leviticus 12:1-13:59

These are the beginning of the instructions concerning medical issues. The priest was not only the person involved with an individual's spiritual health but he was also the person caring for a person's physical health as well.

Why so much detail concerning scabs, boils, and issues of the flesh? The obvious answer is that the ill should be separated from the healthy in order to control epidemics in the camp. A person would eventually be taken out of ward and could rejoin the community after sufficient days had passed to confirm that an infection was not present.

Another reason for the separation is that the people and their camp were to be holy just as their sacrifices were to be holy. Filth was not allowed within the camp and neither was contagion. Sick and handicapped animals could not be offered as sacrifices and the camp could not be a place where the holy God would dwell if the people themselves were ill and decrepit. Many times those who were struck by illness in the prime of life were being directly punished by God and were placed outside the camp (examples abound in the Pentateuch!).

Instead of being angry at God for giving instructions for quarantining those who could be carrying germs that could cause an epidemic to sweep through the camp (I've read vitriolic criticisms about this) we might wish that people today had enough sense to separate themselves from their communities until they have obtained a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Does God make any promises in this passage?

• Again, the people would be free from these diseases if they followed God's law perfectly (see Exodus 15:26). Since God knew they would not be able to do this, He gave these instructions to the priests for separating the infectious from the healthy.

Are there any references to Jesus?

• Jesus was presented to God when Mary and Joseph went to Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-24). She did not enter the temple until the days of her purification were complete. The law was followed.
• Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21). Again, the law was followed by Jesus' mother and guardian.
• The high priest who held responsibilities for both the spiritual and physical health of the people was a type of Jesus. Jesus is our great High Priest who understands both our spiritual and our physical infirmities! (Romans chapter 8 mentions this and so does Hebrews chapter 2, especially verses 14-18.)

Are there any references to future events?

• Revelations makes it clear that God will dwell with us. The implication in this passage is that God will not live among plagues, which are the by-products of sin, whose wages are death (see Romans 6:23). Since God will be dwelling with us it is obvious that there will be no disease or death. As a matter of fact it is stated in Revelation 21:4 that there will be no more death or pain, something caused by illness. Revelation 22:3 also says that the curse will be abolished (that means weeds, etc., too, but also the curse of death). Eternity for those who serve Christ means health!
• We also will not need to worry about the contaminated clothing issues since the concerns in this passage (harmful bacteria or viruses spreading via natural fibers) won't be an issue in a habitat that has no disease.

Does God issue any commands?

• God gave specific instructions about the uncleanness of a woman following childbirth and the offering that should be given after the days of her impurity are ended.
• God also commanded that male children be circumcised on the eighth day. 
• God gave commands for separating individuals with unexplained scabs that could be leprosy.
• God gave commands for diagnosing men and women who exhibited pimples, freckles, and baldness.
• God gave instructions for determining and destroying contaminated clothing.