Thoughts on the readings for March 6th (Leviticus 12, 13, Psalm 113, 114, 2 Corinthians 5, 6, 7)

Leviticus 12 deals with the ceremonial uncleanness incurred through the process of birth. The second half of the chapter outlines the offerings required for purification. Verses 1-4 speak of the birth of a male; the actions to be taken; and the period of ceremonial uncleanness. Note that total period of ceremonial uncleanness for a male child is 40 days. Circumcision was to occur on the eighth days. This was followed by a period totalling 33 days of separation. Verse 5 tells the initial period of “defilement” (by this understand it is describing ceremonial impurity) for a female was 14 days – two cycles of 7. Followed by an additional time of 66 days. The question is why the term of impurity was doubled for the female? The difference, other than the time periods, was the act of circumcision. In every aspect of the Law we are being taught of Christ. He was circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2 verses 21-24) at the Temple with the prescribed offerings for the poor. After this he lived for 33 years separated to his God; and struggling against his flesh, which struggle ended with his death on the stake
(Colossians 2 verses 11-15). It was for us that Jesus volunteered to die on the tree; that through the cutting off the flesh we might be reconciled to God. Verses 6-8 of Leviticus 12 tell of the prescribed offerings for cleansing.
Leviticus 13 deals with the identification of leprosy; the processes of cleansing from leprosy and what a cleansed leper must do. Leprosy is a symbol of sin, that dwells within us. The only lepers cleansed in the Old Testament where cured miraculously – they were Miriam (Moses’ sister); Naaman (the Syrian) cured by Elijah; and another cured by Elisha. Consider Jesus’ comments in
Luke 4 verses 25-27. Jesus also cured several lepers and one of these was sent to the priest as a witness that the power of God to heal (and save from sin) rested upon Jesus Christ. Back to Leviticus 13 and we are told in verses 1-17 of leprosy arising spontaneously. Verses 1-3 tell of the description of leprosy in its early stages; verses 4-8 speak of the treatment of doubtful cases; verses 9-11 told of the treatment of cases where there was no doubt;
verses 12-13 tell of two cases not regarded as leprosy; verses 14-17 describe the obvious symptoms of leprosy. Verses 18-23 speak of leprosy rising out of a boil;
verses 24-28 talk of leprosy arising out of a burning inflammation; verses 28-37 elaborate on leprosy of the head (this is by far the most detailed section as this is the source of sin); verses 40-41 tell about baldness;
verses 40-42 continue the problem of leprosy in the head; verses 45-46 tell of the need for the leper to separate from the community; verses 47-49 talk of contamination in clothing. In tomorrow’s readings we will learn of the cleansing of the leper. We will see the powerlessness of the law in cleaning from leprosy; and that only in Christ can we be pronounced clean.

Psalm 113 invite the reader to consider the incompatibility of our Sovereign. When the faithful understand that they cannot stop extolling and exalting the Almighty. Throughout the earth the faithful will pour forth their praise continuously. The writer quotes from the prayer of Hannah (2 Samuel 2:1-10). Both passages speak of the awesome acts of our Creator.
Having contemplated the greatness of Yahweh
Psalm 114 calls upon the worshippers to reverentially tremble at the presence of the Most High Omnipotent God. The Psalm recounts the mighty deliverance from Egypt – the crossing of the Red Sea; the quaking of Mount Sinai; and the provision of water from the rock representing Christ (see
1 Corinthians 10:1-6 read aloud slowly. Then reflect on the lessons for ourselves.

2nd Corinthians 5 outlines the Almighty’s Word, or His campaign for the reconciliation of the world. The Lord Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection are its foundation and form the logical and heart-binding basis for our attachment to the great salvation of God. We become in Christ part of God’s new creation. The Apostle Paul urges his readers to take up this ministry of reconciliation as Christ’s ambassadors. In chapter 6 the great Apostle outlines his faithful commitment to the task of preaching the saving gospel message. Paul also establishes that this work is a call which embraces each believer in becoming a child of our Sovereign king. On our part we must embrace a complete commitment to holiness as God’s beloved children. In the seventh chapter Paul entreats the Corinthians to find a place in their hearts for those whose love for them was unquestionable; and to embrace wholeheartedly the great task of receiving back into fellowship the repentant brother who had been disciplined by the ecclesia in the hope of restoring the erring brother to the company of fellow believers – the saints in our Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 13-16 speak of Paul’s joy at receiving the news from Titus that the ecclesia at Corinth had followed the Apostle’s advice and through ecclesial discipline achieved the result that Paul had hoped.
Penned by Warwick Rosser and his team, produced by Christa delphian video .org