How to Read Leviticus…and addressing God’s view of “bald men”

DAY 36
10-25-09
LEVITICUS 11-12-13


Good Afternoon!

I’ve had lots of comments regarding how boring or confusing reading Leviticus is. Don’t worry about it. It’s a challenge for all of us! Part of your task is to learn the discipline of reading the word of God in its most challenging sections. Stay with it. You’ll do fine.

If you care to read and learn something at the same time in Leviticus, look for interesting words, sentences, or topics that are unique. For instance, I am drawn to the precise detail of what God considers an unclean animal; an unclean person; and an unclean house. It’s not just about the meat, the blood, the sores, and the mildew.

Since Jesus later declares all foods clean (Mark 7:19), I believe God is trying to create in Israel, a nation that is pure, clean, and holy in body, soul, and mind. He wants them to be so different and holy that they are set completely apart from the pagan world around them. God is making a holy nation based on his holiness. God said, "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy… I am the Lord who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.”(Lev. 11:44-45)

Now, about baldness. I don’t want to let my friends down by not addressing it. God declares that baldness does not make men unclean. (Lev. 11:40-41) Further, having a freckle, or a bump, or a lump, doesn’t require a priest’s attention. Since there is no longer a Levitical Priesthood, any spot on my bald head is now the responsibility of my dermatologist. She has declared my head, clean!

Barry

Some youths came out of the town and jeered at him. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the youths. (2 Kings 2:23-25) Good for Elisha!