In today’s chapter we begin reading about what makes a person clean or unclean. The word unclean here speaks of being foul, contaminated, or polluted… it is a picture of the state we all come into this world in. The physical uncleaness of the woman was a picture of the spiritual uncleaness of the human race, and a reminder of the fact that we are all born infected with the curse of sin. The child shared in the “uncleaness” of the mother, this is why they had to wait until the 8th day to circumcise the boys. The first period of uncleaness was a separation from everyone but those who must attend to her, and they shared in that uncleaness with her. The second period was a time when the woman could not go to the temple (or tabernacle), or handle anything sanctified. If she was married to a priest, she couldn’t eat any of the meat from the sacrifices.
This is a picture for us of a very real truth. Sin cuts us off from fellowship. Fellowship with God, and fellowship with our brothers and sisters. A blood sacrifice was required to pay the price, to restore the fellowship.
I think it is interesting that the second offering (the sin offering) was the same whether you were rich or pour. What a reminder for us that we are all standing on equal footing when we come to the cross, all sinners in need of a savior. Rich or poor, white or black, male or female… our need is the same!
Remember today that you were born a sinner. Contrary to popular opinion, we are not “good people” at heart! We are sinners through and through! We need a savior! Let the uncleaness of the newborn child remind you of your own sinful state today, and give thanks for the offering that Jesus made on our behalf to restore our fellowship with God.
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