Safe In His Holiness

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 Leviticus 15:31 (ESV)

“You shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.”

Leviticus 15 is not a chapter most of us would naturally choose for a quiet time. It is detailed, physical, and at first glance, uncomfortable. But beneath the surface, there is something deeply reassuring about it.

In this chapter, God gives Israel specific instructions about bodily uncleanness and purification. What stands out is that many of these conditions were not sins. They were simply part of being human. Weakness. Vulnerability. The reality of living in bodies that break down, bleed, and need restoration.

“Unclean” did not mean “morally corrupt.” It meant there were boundaries around approaching a holy God. It meant that coming near required cleansing.

God was not shaming His people. He was protecting them. He was teaching them that His presence is holy and life-giving — and that He Himself would provide the way for them to dwell safely near Him.

The Israelites did not understand germs, infection, or modern medicine. They did not know the science behind what protected them. But obedience still brought safety. Trust still brought life.

Leviticus reminds us that we do not have to understand everything in order to trust God. Sometimes His instructions feel strange, inconvenient, or unclear. Sometimes we want the “why” before we are willing to obey. But this chapter shows that God’s commands flow from His holiness and His love. He knows what we cannot see.

It also points forward to Jesus.

In the Old Testament system, uncleanness spread outward. But in the Gospels, when the unclean touched Jesus, they were made clean. Instead of being defiled, He purified. Instead of withdrawing, He restored. The temporary rituals of Leviticus were shadows of the greater cleansing to come.

The deeper message is not that our bodies are worthless or that we are beyond hope. The message is that God desires to dwell among His people — and He makes a way.

We are human. We are fragile. We do not always understand. But we can trust and obey, knowing that the One who calls us near is the One who provides our cleansing.

Prayer

Lord, You are holy and trustworthy. Even when I do not understand what You are doing, I believe that Your commands are for my good. Teach me to trust You without needing every explanation. Thank You for making a way for me to come near through Jesus. Cleanse my heart, steady my faith, and help me walk in simple obedience today. Amen.

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