Leviticus
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Leviticus Chapter 12

• Leviticus 12:1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, 
• 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and borne a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. 

Again we see the Old Testament law emphasizing the uncleanliness of all mankind and the holiness of God showing to us the need for a savior to save us from sin. 

If sin had not of entered the world, the woman would not have had to be separated for uncleanliness. Sorrow in childbirth was part of the curse that came to the woman because of her part in the disobedience that took place in the garden.

• Leviticus 12:3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 

The covenant of circumcision was given to Abraham and we see it continued under the law. It was also a sign of uncleanliness before one was circumcised. 

• Leviticus 12:4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. 
• 5 But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. 

We don't really know why it was a longer period for a female child than a male child. Perhaps it was something physical. God has a reason for everything so we just have to trust in Him.

However, He made a way for all to be saved and He made that way simple enough for a child to understand so all these things were preparing them for the Messiah to come that was to have the power to save all who would simple believe and trust in Him.

• Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 
• 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 
• 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

Christ fulfilled all the ordinances and laws of purifying. Both male and female are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ which was shed on our behalf at His death on the cross. When we believe in Him the curse is removed and we are no longer under the curse of the law. 

• Leviticus 12:6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: 

This was the way it was done before the coming of Jesus that changed the ceremonial type of law but it does serve to show us the seriousness of being cleansed and bringing an offering to the Lord. It really points forward to the coming of Christ to be the sacrifice for sin. Every time they brought a sacrifice to the Lord, it reminded them that they needed to be cleansed of sin. 

• Leviticus 12:7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female.
• 8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean. 

Atonement is the means by which man, estranged from God is restored to complete communion with Him, just as Adam and Eve had before the fall or before sin entered the world. 

God had a reason for His dietary law and His laws on cleansing. Mostly they pointed toward the perfect sacrifice that was to come to take away sins but we must not dismiss them as not necessary so easily. There is some science that can prove lack of cleanliness and eating some unclean animals increase the chance of disease. So if a person decides to give up pork or other unclean animals and clean their hands and such before they eat, it is a good thing, not bad as long as they are not trusting in these things for the salvation of their souls instead of faith in Christ.

There is a lot of good teaching in the Old Testament. Many laws may help prevent diseases. DC