Leviticus 15:2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When any man has an unusual discharge, such a discharge is unclean.’”
Commentary was very helpful in my quest to understand today’s scripture. There was a distinction that discharge of this kind from man or woman didn’t make them sinful, only unclean. Semen and menstruation specifically “were so regarded…because the two are connected with symbols of life and redemption.”
Leviticus 15:16 “‘When a man has an emission of semen, he must bathe his whole body with water, and he will be unclean till evening.’”
Background in commentary also mentioned that “…in the ancient world it was common to worship the gods by having sex with temple prostitutes.” This scripture helped remind the Israelites that this behavior was not proper worship for the one true God.
Leviticus 15:18 “When a man has sexual relations with a woman and there is emission of semen, both of them must bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening.”
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this opportunity to learn more about You and the Israelites. Thank You that we understand basic hygiene and proper church etiquette, that You know our hearts. Thank You for the rich diversity of Your word and the layers of knowledge and understanding that I gain as I continue to study it. Draw me closer. Amen.
Acts 15:8 “God, who knows the heart, showed that He accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.