Discover His heart: God provides all that is needed to keep His people alive and well on their journey
“If a man loses his hair and his head becomes bald, he is still ceremonially clean. And if he loses hair on his forehead, he simply has a bald forehead; he is still clean. However…” (13:40-41) For those who are hair challenged, I would imagine reading Leviticus 13 brings great relief, although I’m still somewhat concerned about men with hairy foreheads. Whether clean or not, I’m not sure hair growing on the forehead is a good thing. But even more disconcerting is that little word however.
God gave Moses specific instructions regarding the healthcare of the wilderness Israelites. Hospitals, Emergency Rooms and 24-Hour Urgent Care Clinics did not exist on the backside of the desert where this nomadic community of 2 to 3 million people traveled for 40 years. The priests were the healthcare providers who administered the diagnosis and treatment needed to preserve God’s chosen people. It’s not farfetched to imagine an insidious epidemic completely erasing this isolated people group from history, but God would not have that!
God provided all that was needed to keep His people alive and well on their journey as long as they paid close attention to those howevers. Skin lumps, bumps, sores and discolorations on His people were all diagnosed by the priests to prevent the spread of leprosy, the killer of the day, as well as other diseases. Even clothing and household goods were evaluated for disease-producing mildew and mold. Individuals deemed unclean were isolated and goods were either purified or burned.
God was concerned about preventive healthcare because it was obviously much less debilitating and more cost-effective than aftercare. His laws in Chapter 15 regarding bodily discharges, gross indeed, were all about preserving and protecting those He loved. God really wasn’t surprised when our medical researchers over the past century discovered conclusive proof that diseases, ranging from colds to AIDS, could be transmitted through bodily discharges. I would think all of heaven offered one big DUH at that conclusion.
If we think the laws and instructions of Leviticus are irrelevant to us today, we should think again. Yes, the blood of Jesus protects us, but so does His wisdom. There’s a reason that may go all the way back to Leviticus that I carry disinfectants and hand sanitizers when I travel. After rereading Chapter 15, I’ll be thinking twice about trying on clothes in mall dressing rooms. I’m just saying…
All God’s instructions regarding healthcare were essential to protect His people and get them to the Promised Land. For us today, equally important is what leprosy and the like represent to us. Sin is much more menacing than any physical disease could ever be. It may start small, like the white patch or bump with leprosy, seemingly insignificant; however, if left unchecked, it will bring eternal death to us. Daily examination before our High Priest for His diagnosis is the best preventive healthcare for the soul that I know. As far as treatment, His blood has it all covered!
Moving Forward: His wisdom protects my life today and guides my steps, and His blood treats whatever ails my soul.
Tomorrow @ 2 Kings 6-10
Phyllis Benigas 