Bible Pathway - Feb. 5, 2010
Highlights:
The laws concerning food, motherhood, leprosy.
Verses for Today:
He is a leprous man, he is unclean. . . . And . . . his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean. . . . he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be (Lev. 13:44-46).The word "leper" struck terror in the heart of an Israelite for two reasons. First, the leper was forced to leave his home — his family, friends, and place of worship — and live outside the camp. In his extreme grief and deep humiliation, this poor, wretched person had to pass through the camp for one last time, crying: Unclean! Unclean! (13:44-46). But perhaps the most horrifying reason leprosy was so feared is that there was no known cure for it.
When leprosy first appears, it seems harmless — just a small white or pink spot on the skin and, in its earliest stages, it is totally painless. The spot might remain for months or even years before it begins to develop further. Eventually, leprosy causes an extremely repulsive disfigurement of the entire body, including spongy tumor-like swellings on the face and head. The movement of joints causes deep, painful, bleeding fissures. The fingers and toes become misshapen, rough, and ragged. The fingernails swell, curl up, and fall off. And, as leprosy progresses, the flesh develops offensive, running sores, and the gums begin to bleed. Eventually, as the years pass, the leper becomes thin and weak, plagued with diarrhea, an incessant thirst, and burning fever.
Leprosy illustrates how insignificant a sin may first appear but how dreadful, loathsome, and fatal it can become. The leper being separated from the place of sacrifice and worship illustrates how sin, which makes us "unclean," separates us from the presence of God (II Thess. 1:8-9). Sin destroys the joy of life and, if it continues, will eventually lead to the ruin of both body and soul. People controlled by sin, unless they turn to Christ, truly repent, and forsake their sins, exist in a state of living death.
Satan brought all sin and death into the world. Christ is the revelation of our loving Father who desires to impart eternal life and cleansing from all sin. I am the Lord your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am Holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves. . . . Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am Holy (Lev. 11:44; I Pet. 1:16).
The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin . . . If we confess our sins, He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:7,9).
Thought for Today:
Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near (Is. 55:6).
Christ Revealed:
Through the priest who looked on the plague after it was washed to pronounce it clean (Lev. 13:55,59). Jesus Christ. . . . Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Rev. 1:5).
Word Studies:
11:3 clovenfooted =hoof parted into two distinct hooves; 13:2 rising =swelling; 13:4 shut up =isolate; 13:5 be at a stay =has not changed; 13:10 quick raw =ulcer forming; 13:51 fretting =contagious, spreading.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Duvall • Staff: Beth Carlton • Government Official: Gov. Jennifer Granholm (MI) • Country: Ukraine (51 million) east-central Europe • Major languages: Ukrainian and Russian • Religious freedom • 55% Orthodox (various jurisdictions); 15% Catholic (mainly Greek-Catholic); 3.2% Protestant; 1% Jews; .5% Muslim; 25.3% Agnostic/Atheist/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to forgive you of all ill will, grudges, or hatred you may hold in your heart toward another person (Matt. 6:14-15).
Optional Reading: Mark 8
Memory Verse for the Week: Exodus 20:2-4
