“But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.”
Context: Leviticus 15 provides detailed instructions regarding various bodily discharges and their effects on ceremonial purity within the Israelite community. It covers topics such as menstruation, emissions of semen, and other bodily discharges. These laws were given by God to the Israelites through Moses to ensure ritual purity and holiness in their worship and daily life.
Explanation: Leviticus 15:28 specifically addresses a woman who has experienced a menstrual discharge. In the preceding verses, it is explained that when a woman has an ongoing issue of blood, she is considered unclean. The term “issue” here refers to any abnormal or excessive bleeding outside of the normal menstrual cycle.
In this verse, it states that if the woman is cleansed of her issue, she must count seven days from the time the bleeding stops. During this seven-day period, she is to isolate herself and refrain from any contact with others. After the seven days, she would be considered clean and able to reenter the community and participate in normal activities.
Importance and Application: The laws concerning menstrual impurity found in Leviticus are specific to the Old Testament ceremonial system and the Israelite community at that time. They were designed to emphasize the importance of ritual cleanliness and holiness before God. These laws helped maintain order, symbolically pointing to the need for purity in approaching God and emphasizing the separation between the sacred and the profane.
It is important to note that these ceremonial laws are no longer binding for Christians today. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ fulfilled the requirements of the Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17), and believers are no longer under its regulations. The sacrificial system and the Levitical priesthood have been superseded by the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 10:1-18).
However, while we are not bound by these ceremonial laws, the principles behind them can still be meaningful. They remind us of the importance of personal holiness, purity of heart, and living in obedience to God’s commands. We are called to live in a manner that honors God and reflects His character in all areas of our lives.
In conclusion, Leviticus 15:28 provides instructions regarding the purification process for a woman who has experienced a menstrual issue. While these ceremonial laws are not applicable in the same way to Christians today, they serve as a reminder of the importance of holiness and obedience to God’s commands.
