This chapter is important because of the danger, says the Lord, that “they defile My tabernacle.”
If you’ve made it with me through these difficult chapters in Leviticus, I commend you. Let’s remind ourselves that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim 3:16-17). It’s all inspired. It’s all profitable. And it’s all necessary if we’re going to be “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Of course, some lessons are easier to apply than others, so thanks for your grace. But we have one more awkward subject before we arrive at the highest and holiest day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur, or the Great Day of Atonement. Leviticus 15 is the last chapter in this section dealing with what is clean or unclean, and it talks about body fluids. Now if you ever work on a car, you know the importance of checking fluid levels: oil, brake fluid, engine coolant, and so on. Occasionally you see a leak under the car, and it’s crucial to check what’s wrong. Well, the body is a kind of molecular machine and also needs certain fluids to function. As with your car, the problem happens when fluids get where they aren’t supposed to be. A careful regimen was to be followed in each case, with washing and laundering anything defiled by it. The chapter deals with both males and females, and both natural and unnatural issues. One example in the New Testament was the woman who “had a flow of blood for twelve years…She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse” (Mk 5:25-26). The Lord not only healed her; He restored her back into society with His gracious introduction, giving her an opportunity to testify to His grace. Such are the ways of God.