SUNDRY LAWS OF PURIFICATION,DCLM CHILDREN STS, LESSON 17
TEXT: Leviticus 11:1-47; 12:1-8
Purification means to make it clean and pure. It involves the total cleansing of a thing or person. In this case, the laws refer to the total sum of instructions given directly by God to help His people to live a clean and holy life. God is holy and anyone that would serve Him acceptably must be holy. The demand for holiness in our life runs through the Bible. From the time of creation, God made man in His image (Holiness) and expects him to remain in that state. However, when sin entered, corruption set in, and man became separated from the Holy God. Notwithstanding. God still made provision for man to possess His image of holiness. Therefore, He sought for a people, who would serve Him and show forth His holiness. For this, He called Abraham and promised to make out of him a great nation and a people separated unto Him. Having redeemed Israel who were descendants of Abraham from Egypt, God gave them many laws to guide and build them up to be a holy nation and peculiar people unto Him. This was the reason for all the laws given to Israel through Moses Today, we have the complete Bible as the word of God to guide k and help us to serve God acceptably and also become a holy and peculiar generation unto Him (God). In this study, we shall examine the various laws in relation to the physical and spiritual_ purification of Israel and all God’s children.
A. SUNDRY LAWS OF PURIFICATION:
Leviticus 1 I I-47, 12:1-8
Sundry means different or various. In this case, we are looking at various laws about purification. The laws were given in our Bible passage concern both physical cleanliness and spiritual cleansing. This shows that our outward appearance is closely related to our inward cleansing, especially our heart. The laws of purification are in two parts. Dietary and ceremonial cleansing after childbirth. Dietary laws help to identify clean or healthy food and unclean or unhealthy food. God who is the Creator of all things knows those things that are fit for human consumption and those that are not good for our physical wellbeing. God gave those laws in order to:
(i) Keep the children of Israel healthy physically.
(ii) Help them to exercise control over their appetite.
(iii) Set them apart from other nations that were worshipping idols.
(iv) Prevent them from eating animals used for sacrifice to those idols.
(v) Show that He is interested in both our physical and spiritual well-being. Daniel and his friends were guided by these laws when they were taken as captives to Babylon. Their parents were not with them. Yet, because they loved to obey God’s word, they separated themselves from food sacrificed to idols. Children must learn to control their appetites. Eat moderately and do not beg for food or take alcohol and dangerous drugs. Eat a balanced diet no as to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In whatever you do, let God be glorified. Remember, “the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17).
B. SIGNIFICANT LESSONS FROM THE LAWS OF PURIFICATION
Leviticus 11:44,45; 12:1-8; 18:1-5; Luke 2:21-24; 1 Peter 1:14-16
The second set of laws concerns the cleansing of mothers after childbirth. These laws involve the ceremonial cleansing of both the mother and the newborn baby. Observance of these laws is also important for both the physical and spiritual health of the mother and the new baby. Separation after childbirth will enable the mother to regain her strength and energy and also help her to have enough time to care for the baby. These specific laws are no longer binding upon friends of Jesus today since Christ fulfilled their significance and purpose. However, there are still some principles in those laws that are still relevant to us today.
(i) Friends of Jesus must be different from the world in their eating, drinking, and dressing so as to glorify God with their bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20; 10:31).
(ii) we are to also reject and run away from all ungodly social customs of the world so as to remain holy in all manner of conversation (I Peter 1:15).
(iii) All aspects of our lives must be regulated and controlled by the will and word of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
(iv) The uncleanness associated with labour and childbirth symbolized the result of the fall of man. Children are born with sinful nature (Psalm 51:5).
This truth shows that every child born into the world needs the Saviour. Today, a mother does not need to make sacrifices to purify her new-born child. Jesus has fulfilled the condition for our salvation and purification. All children need do is to humbly come to Jesus, repent, and receive forgiveness and cleansing through the blood of Jesus.
B. SANCTIFY YOURSELF AND BE HOLY
Leviticus 11:43-45; 19:2; 20:7,26; Exodus 19:6; Matthew 5:48; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Peter 1:14-16
”For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defileth yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” (Leviticus 11:44). The above passage is the key verse and central message of this study. All the laws about clean, unclean animals and ceremonial cleansing were to make the people of God clean. holy and fit for heaven. This same message is to all believers today as expressed in 1 Peter 1:15.16. “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” The call to holy living is a special call from God unto His children.
For a Christian to reflect the image of God, he must be holy. To be holy, therefore, a believer must:
Humble himself before God and develop a strong desire to be sanctified.
Obey God’s command by sincerely seeking and praying to experience the second work of grace.
Lean on God’s promise, believing that He will sanctify and make him holy.
Yield himself completely to God’s will pray, and wait patiently until he is sanctified and made holy. Sanctification will produce in a Christian the following Christian virtues.
Humility, Obedience, Love, Integrity, New Nature, Endurance, and Saintliness and Submission. Are you sanctified? If no, do not remain at the Saintliness and now so that you will be sanctified, made holy, and fit for heavens are level. Pray
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
- What is purification?
- Mention the two parts in the laws of purification
- What are the reasons for dietary laws?
- Mention the significant lessons from the laws of purification.
- What should:
- (i) a sinner
- (ii) a friend of Jesus does to be sanctified and made holy?
MEMORY VERSE:
For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth– (Leviticus 1 1:44)
LESSON: Holiness of life sets a believer apart for God’s use.
THOUGHT: I will pray earnestly to be sanctified and made holy.
ACTIVITY: Search your Bible and write out ten (10) verses that reveal God’s desire for His children to be made holy.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 190 – “CALLED UNTO HOLINESS”
CHORUSES:
(1) Holiness, holiness, the kingdom of God is holy.
(2) I want to be more holy as the day goes by.
(3) There is power mighty in the blood.
HOMEWORK:
Read John 17:1-26, then pray sincerely until you receive assurance that you are sanctified.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH.
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:
- Purification 2. Significance 3. Dietary 4. Sanctification 5. Ceremonial.
