The most remarkable thing that I see in these passages (Leviticus 13-18) is how important the priests were to Israel. The priest wore so many hats! He diagnosed sicknesses and healing, he inspected homes for mold, quarantined people and places which were “unclean,” offered sacrifices for many different reasons, etc. He dealt with so many issues that I wonder how he kept them all straight. Talk about a Superman! But, there is an important thing to glean from this. We, as Christians, do not need a priest to intercede with God on our behalf. We are to be like these priests to the surrounding world. We are to help those in need – whatever need that many be. I thank God that I am not required to fulfill every need, but the community of believers is able to do just that. God has saved many different types of people from many different walks of life – carpenters, doctors, lawyers, accountants, cooks, caretakers, etc. And, if we would ban together and make our goal to help anyone who is in need and cannot fulfill that need on his/her own, social welfare would be a lost concept. It wouldn’t be necessary! God, show me where I can contribute to helping those around me. Give me the heart of a priest – one that beats for others to know you and your ways more than for myself.
Also, there are so many laws in Leviticus! I mean, the 10 “biggies” don’t even scratch the surface of everything that Israelites had to know, especially those who were priests. I was amazed to find laws about mold in someone’s home in this passage. I think the detail shows that God is concerned with every aspect of our lives, even our health as it concerns being exposed to mold. But, I cannot imagine having to know all the laws and rules that the Israelites had. I thank God that Jesus summarized all the law when he commanded us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and love our neighbor as ourselves. Wow! What freedom Jesus has supplied us. If our goal is to love God with everything we are and love our neighbor in a way that reflects God’s love for them, we will keep the commandments as if it were second nature. Lord, help me to love like you loved, and help me love you more today than I did yesterday.
Sincerely,
Dee
