Even Leviticus

https://odb.org/2024/02/29/even-leviticus

Some books in the Bible we have difficulty relating to because they were meant for an era of time for people living then. So the issue with the skin diseases was whether that makes someone ceremonially unclean as a Jew but it was also meant to prevent the spread of contagious diseases. See today’s Scripture reading of Leviticus 13:1-8. There was a requirement for quarantine to be decided by the Chief Priest. Of course, modern-day medicine has established its own protocols for such diseases.

When it comes to Scriptures, I always believe that everything written is true and is there for a reason. In fact, the presentation of an event was inspired by God for a purpose. Because we know there are a few ways to write anything. Perhaps Leviticus 13 may not be directly relevant to us today. But the principle remains that isolation is required if there is a contagious disease, and for the church, if someone has a major spiritual affliction, he or she should also be isolated lest everyone is affected by his spiritual state. Spiritual recovery takes time like healing of a skin disease. Of course, when it comes to dealing with church disciplinary issues, we give precedence to Paul’s teachings in his letters as those are directly in point.

So, as much as the creation story in Genesis 1-3 may be universal, we follow the details in Genesis 1-3 and apply the principles enumerated there, especially the lessons from the fall of Adam and Eve. We also look towards the Garden of Eden as something we may relive for eternity at the end of age as the new heaven and earth with the LORD our God living amongst us, His people. If there is no more shedding of blood for food, then perhaps everyone will be eating fruits and vegetables for sustenance, but we live forever because the Tree of Life is freely available. When it comes to the Gospels or even the events narated in the Old Testament, always ask the Holy Spirit why the LORD allowed the events to be depicted in a certain fashion. Why are some personalities named while some are nameless? Why was Ruth highlighted? Just to trace the geneology of David? How about the tensions between Saul and David? Or the adventures of Elijah and Elisha? Or the exploits of Joshua and Caleb leading the Israelites back to Canaan? Or the breaking up of the kingdom into Israel and Judah and why those 10 tribes carried into exile from Israel are now lost, but the two tribes of Judah remain? There is history, but there may be a reason for such a history.

The Word of God contains the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. The more we learn, the more we will know. We will never lose out if we know the Bible better. We will end up knowing God and Jesus more, and with the help of the Holy Spirit, some may get a glimpse into what lies ahead as revealed to John and Paul and the many other mighty men and women of God. Paul didn’t say much of his heavenly experience, and he certainly never boasted about any of it. John was commanded to write a whole book, and yet there were things he saw that he didn’t reveal.

Read and study the Scriptures as much as we can, to the extent our time permits. It can only benefit us. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 1, “Blessed is he who delights in the law of God and who meditates on His law day and night.”