Today we are reading Leviticus 12. In this chapter we read about purification for a woman who has just given birth. “The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days. As at the time of her menstruation, she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall continue for thirty-three days in the blood of her purifying. She shall not touch anything holy, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her menstruation. And she shall continue in the blood of her purifying for sixty-six days.”
Leviticus 12:1-5 ESV These simple instructions bring with them many questions. Why was there a sin offering? The answer is because the child is not born under the Covenant and this offering and circumcision for boys accomplishes that. What did the woman and child need to be purified from? Blood born pathogens and other health and spiritual concerns related to the flow of blood and fluids from childbirth. The isolation was to protect mother, child and community. How do we practice similar health restrictions around childbirth? What do we do spiritually for mother and child? May God bless you to celebrate every addition to His family! Pastor Tim
