“As for the leper who has the infection … he shall … cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection … his shall live outside the camp.” – Leviticus 13:45-46 NASB
Providing an important pattern for daily life, God taught the Israelites the importance of cleanliness to recognize the impact of diseases, to be aware of how each individual could affect the overall community, and to realize that no one lived in true isolation.
Lives were intertwined in many ways, and they needed to understand their responsibility within the community. For example, it was not enough for people with an infectious disease to know that they were infected. Self-centered people might be inclined to concentrate on themselves and hide the fact that they had such a disease.
They also needed to realize the impact this disease could have on others. They were to let others know they were “unclean” to keep the community free from diseases. There was no desire to embarrass or humiliate them.
Jesus reinforced the principles of community when He taught that the greatest commandment was to love God with our whole being. But the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-39).
Today, ask God to help you be clean and pure spiritually in His sight. Be sensitive to what you allow into your mind and heart. Realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Remember the impact of your attitude, words, and actions. You can touch others in many ways. Seek to love them with the love of Christ.
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