Leviticus 12:1-8
He shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. – Leviticus 12:7
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Today, we read the regulations concerning the purification of women after childbirth. When a woman gave birth to a male or female child, she was considered “unclean” and needed to go through a period of purification, ultimately offering a lamb as a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove as a sin offering. If the family was poor, offering two doves or two young pigeons was also acceptable.
When we first read this passage, we might have some doubts: why would childbirth, such a natural and even God-pleasing event, be considered “unclean”? Why would a mother need to offer a sin offering? What relevance do these ancient laws have to our lives today?
Firstly, we need to understand that “unclean” in the Old Testament did not necessarily refer to moral sins (such as theft or adultery), but rather to a state where a person was “not suitable to enter sacred space.” Childbirth itself was not a sin, but the bleeding and bodily fluids involved made a person temporarily unclean. This illustrates a spiritual principle: our lives constantly require God’s cleansing.
We all live in a sinful and broken world, and no matter how natural or good our actions may be, we cannot reach God’s holy standard on our own. Even a mother, after welcoming new life, had to wait, be purified, and offer a sacrifice. This also makes us realise that drawing near to God must be through His grace and being cleansed. The weaknesses and uncleanness in our lives need His light and cleansing.
Furthermore, we also see God’s compassion. He allowed families with financial difficulties to offer only birds as sacrifices. This shows that God is both a holy God and a merciful God. He values our hearts, not the quantity of the sacrifice.
Today, although we no longer need to offer animal sacrifices, the spiritual principle still applies. At every turning point in life—entering marriage, childbirth, career changes, illness, failure, or success—we need to come before God to seek His renewal and cleansing. Cleansing is not only physical, but also a renewal of the heart.
Therefore, let us learn to bring every new stage of life—graduation, entering a new workplace, welcoming a newborn, establishing a new family, becoming grandparents, changing jobs, and so on—before God, asking Him to guide us and renew us to start afresh. May we dedicate every new chapter and new beginning in our lives to the Lord’s use.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that Your law is not just a command but also an expression of Your love and mercy. Thank you for giving Jesus as our sin offering, so that we no longer need to earn cleansing through our actions, but can draw near to You by grace. Please help me, in every stage of my life, to remember to offer myself to You, seeking Your cleansing and renewal. May I live daily in Your holiness, becoming a vessel pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
CliClick to read
Today, we read the regulations concerning the purification of women after childbirth. When a woman gave birth to a male or female child, she was considered “unclean” and needed to go through a period of purification, ultimately offering a lamb as a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove as a sin offering. If the family was poor, offering two doves or two young pigeons was also acceptable.
When we first read this passage, we might have some doubts: why would childbirth, such a natural and even God-pleasing event, be considered “unclean”? Why would a mother need to offer a sin offering? What relevance do these ancient laws have to our lives today?
Firstly, we need to understand that “unclean” in the Old Testament did not necessarily refer to moral sins (such as theft or adultery), but rather to a state where a person was “not suitable to enter sacred space.” Childbirth itself was not a sin, but the bleeding and bodily fluids involved made a person temporarily unclean. This illustrates a spiritual principle: our lives constantly require God’s cleansing.
We all live in a sinful and broken world, and no matter how natural or good our actions may be, we cannot reach God’s holy standard on our own. Even a mother, after welcoming new life, had to wait, be purified, and offer a sacrifice. This also makes us realise that drawing near to God must be through His grace and being cleansed. The weaknesses and uncleanness in our lives need His light and cleansing.
Furthermore, we also see God’s compassion. He allowed families with financial difficulties to offer only birds as sacrifices. This shows that God is both a holy God and a merciful God. He values our hearts, not the quantity of the sacrifice.
Today, although we no longer need to offer animal sacrifices, the spiritual principle still applies. At every turning point in life—entering marriage, childbirth, career changes, illness, failure, or success—we need to come before God to seek His renewal and cleansing. Cleansing is not only physical, but also a renewal of the heart.
Therefore, let us learn to bring every new stage of life—graduation, entering a new workplace, welcoming a newborn, establishing a new family, becoming grandparents, changing jobs, and so on—before God, asking Him to guide us and renew us to start afresh. May we dedicate every new chapter and new beginning in our lives to the Lord’s use.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you that Your law is not just a command but also an expression of Your love and mercy. Thank you for giving Jesus as our sin offering, so that we no longer need to earn cleansing through our actions, but can draw near to You by grace. Please help me, in every stage of my life, to remember to offer myself to You, seeking Your cleansing and renewal. May I live daily in Your holiness, becoming a vessel pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.