“But the soul that eateth of the flesh of the sacrifice of peace offerings, that pertain unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, even that soul shall be cut off from his people.”
Context:Leviticus is the third book of the Bible and is part of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah, which contains the laws and instructions given by God to the Israelites through Moses. Leviticus focuses on the various rituals, sacrifices, and laws that govern the religious and moral life of the Israelite community.
Explanation: Leviticus 7:20 specifically addresses the issue of eating the flesh of the peace offerings while being ritually unclean. In the preceding verses, God provides detailed instructions for the peace offering, which was a voluntary offering made to express thanksgiving, fulfill a vow, or as a freewill offering.
According to the Law, there were specific regulations for the priests and the people regarding their cleanliness when participating in these offerings. The Israelites were required to be ceremonially clean before partaking in the sacrifices and eating the meat. Unclean individuals, such as those who had come into contact with a dead body or had certain bodily discharges, were not allowed to eat the sacred offerings until they were ritually purified.
Leviticus 7:20 warns that anyone who partakes of the peace offering while being ritually unclean would be “cut off from his people.” The phrase “cut off” refers to being excommunicated or separated from the community of Israel. It implies a severe punishment and exclusion from the benefits and blessings of belonging to the covenant community.
The reason behind this regulation was to emphasize the importance of maintaining ceremonial purity in the worship of God. Ritual purity was a symbolic way of demonstrating reverence and respect for God’s holiness. The Israelites were called to be a holy people, set apart for God’s service, and these regulations helped to reinforce that calling.
Application:While Leviticus 7:20 pertains to the specific context of the Israelites’ religious practices and their adherence to ceremonial purity, there are still some general principles that we can draw from this verse:
- Holiness and reverence:Just as the Israelites were called to approach God with reverence and maintain ceremonial purity, Christians are called to honor God and approach Him with awe and reverence. We are reminded of the need to treat our relationship with God as sacred and to worship Him with a pure heart.
- Obedience to God’s commands:The Israelites were required to follow the regulations and laws given by God. As Christians, we are also called to obey God’s commands. While we are no longer under the ceremonial and sacrificial laws of the Old Testament, we should still strive to live in obedience to God’s moral commands as revealed in the New Testament.
- The seriousness of sin:Leviticus 7:20 underscores the seriousness of sin and its consequences. While the specific penalties mentioned in this verse may not apply directly to us today, sin still separates us from God and damages our relationship with Him. It is a reminder to take sin seriously and to seek repentance and forgiveness when we fall short.
- The grace of God:Although the consequences of sin are severe, we are fortunate to live in a time of God’s grace. In the Old Testament, those who violated the laws were “cut off” from the community, but through Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity for forgiveness and restoration. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross made a way for us to be reconciled to God when we confess our sins and place our faith in Him.
Remember, when studying any passage in the Bible, it is essential to consider the context, cultural background, and the overall message of Scripture.
