June 29, 2010 Lesson 8 of Leviticus 12:1-13:46

Did the mere fact of being born a Jew give a child a place in the covenant? See 12:3, Note 1 below, and Deut 10:15-16; 30:6. How do the principles illustrated here apply today? Answer: The circumcision associates them with the covenant people. However, like gentiles the Jews too must accept Christ. Or during this period before Christ they must believe in God and make atonement through sacrifice.


From chapter 13 trace some of the parallels that exists between the plague of leprosy and the plague of sin. Answer: Sin makes you unclean and unrighteous to enter the Kingdom of Heaven or sit before God, just as the leprosy does here. The priest sees and judges the sores, just as God will one day judge us.


Notes
12:3. Circumcision had a twofold significance, namely, identification with God’s covenant people, and purification from unfitness for such a role.
12:8 Cf. Luke 2:22-24