“The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the people of Israel that they put out of the camp everyone who is leprous or has a discharge and everyone who is unclean through contact with the dead.’”

Numbers 5:1–2, (ESV)

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw just how quickly disease spreads despite man’s best efforts to contain it. Think how hard it would have been to prevent infectious diseases from spreading throughout the Israelite camp. In the wilderness it was difficult to sanitize, and people lived in close proximity. Disease could quickly spread, and many people would die. Likewise, unchecked sin could easily infect all the people. Therefore, God gave the children of Israel instructions for dealing with both uncleanness and sin.

An unclean person was isolated. They were considered unclean if they were diseased, had a discharge, or were defiled by touching something unclean. They would then be taken outside of the camp away from others.

A sinner would confess his or her sin. People who became aware of their sin (by feeling guilty) would confess their sin before the officiating priest and offer the appropriate offerings for atonement and restitution.

A potentially adulterous woman was tested. An elaborate ritual was given for the situation where a husband suspected his wife of being unfaithful. This was really a test to prove her guilt or innocence. But the effect would be to purge the sin of adultery from the camp. It would cause people to fear ever doing such a thing!

Sadly, our culture takes sin far too lightly, and this attitude has infiltrated the church. We condone sins rather than confess and condemn them. And how often do we see Christians make restitution when they have offended or hurt someone?

Thankfully, we are not under law but under grace. However, sin is just as defiling and deadly as ever.

“Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”

2 Corinthians 6:17–18 (NLT)

As a loving Father, God wants His children to be healthy and to partake in His holiness.

Photo by jesse orrico on Unsplash