Leviticus 12: Purification and more Cleanliness-Why? Be Holy like God

Leviticus 12

New International Version (NIV)

Purification After Childbirth

 ¹ The LORD said to Moses, ² “Say to the Israelites: ‘A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. ³ On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. ⁴ Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the sanctuary until the days of her purification are over. ⁵ If she gives birth to a daughter, for two weeks the woman will be unclean, as during her period. Then she must wait sixty-six days to be purified from her bleeding.

 ⁶ “‘When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering.^[a] 7 He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood.

   “‘These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. ⁸ But if she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’”

Daniel's Thoughts:

Why does giving birth make a mother unclean? God you created us this way for women to give life in this way and to give birth. How can something you designed be unclean? I guess some living creatures are also  unclean. They are not evil or poorly designed but they are not designed for people at least at that time to touch or eat. 

This passage is very confusing to me, but I think again a post-Christ understanding in grace helps me to wrap my my around the fact that the heart of the issue is what matters. Being holy like God is what matters. 

1 Peter 1

New International Version (NIV)

Be Holy

 ¹³ Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. ¹⁴ As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. ¹⁵ But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; ¹⁶ for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”<sup>[a]


[a] Lev. 11:44,45; 19:2</sup>

Daniel's Prayer:

^Lord

^{Help me to desire to be righteous and holy like you.}

^Amen