Men who found nations begin by positioning armies at the borders. God begins by telling people WHAT TO EAT! And then? After food, God gives laws addressing dead animals, skin diseases, and mold! So unexpected!
As with the well-known dietary laws, God provides “hygiene” laws that would later be confirmed by science. If unclean animals or insects are found dead on wood, clothing, leather, sackcloth, or a tool, “it is to be rinsed with water and will remain unclean until evening” Leviticus 11:32. Do you see how that protects people from the germs from such things as a dead mouse? No one had heard of germs. But Leviticus required washing long ago.
Next, God provides guidance for those with possible skin diseases—they are to be quarantined for a time while their health is evaluated. This approach was confirmed later when we learned that skin diseases, such as leprosy, are highly contagious.
The Bible then addresses mold and mildew in “wool or linen fabric, … or in leather… it is to be shown to the priest” Lev. 13:47-49. Next, God gives laws for handling mildew spreading in a house: “the stones with the contamination must be pulled out and thrown into an unclean place outside the city.… If the contamination reappears, it is a harmful mildew; the house is unclean. It must be torn down….” Lev. 14:40-45. But who would be afraid of a mold? Yet science proves some molds can kill.
The lesson here is the Israelites who obeyed God—though they did not understand the reason behind the laws—were rewarded with better health. In the same way, we must obey God’s laws even when we do not understand the reason behind them. God’s rules may appear old-fashioned or may hurt our feelings, but He is God and we must obey and trust him by faith. Someday his ways WILL make sense. Until then, He deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Dear God, help us obey and trust you by faith, even when we do not understand.
ΑΩ
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