I don’t truly understand the cultural need for cleansing after coming in contact with a dead body, maybe it had something to do with prevention of disease. It also seems as if some of the Canaanites had superstitions about the dead but none of these connect with me and my life.
I can certainly understand that it was important to make sure everyone understood the rules about dead bodies since quite a few people died only a few chapters earlier. So the issue was likely on the minds of the people and the author.
Still devotional connection with this chapter is scant.
In attempting to understand more of the background, one author referenced Hebrews 9:13-14, which reads: The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!
Now there is a word that speaks to my heart.
All the cleansing rituals in this chapter make a person outwardly clean, but Jesus’ sacrifice makes us inwardly clean. Jesus’ sacrifice washes away sin and its affects. What a glorious truth!
No amount of outward cleansing can ever clean the inside of a human person. However, what we cannot do for ourselves, Jesus can do for us when we place our faith in Him.
What a blessing! What a gift!
Here we have the beauty of the Christian faith… cleansing of sin, “acts that lead to death.”
I love that the author of Hebrews goes even further. Not only does Jesus cleanse us from acts that lead to death, He does so, so that we can serve God, our Father. Through faith in Jesus we have a calling and a commission to love and serve God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thank You, Oh, God, for all You have done for me. Fill me with Your Spirit, so that I may serve You with vigor and excellence. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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