Leviticus 22 Commentary
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The chapter opens with a warning to the priests to treat the holy gifts with reverence. We can easily relate with this warning in our day. Once money is separated for use at Church, it becomes holy. We cannot use it otherwise. We cannot use the monies that God’s people bring to church carelessly. I think we can include time on the list. Sabbath laws give us a picture of time exclusively dedicated to the LORD. We should respect that time. You cannot read the word of the LORD while watching football!
Physical purity is important. The priest cannot minister when he is ritually unclean. Again this requirement represents inner purity of the worshiper – it’s a picture of the required holiness at the tabernacle.
Earlier we saw how monthly periods became an issue for women. Now men and semen emissions are an issue. Anyone with crushed testicles, or any other form of deformity on the organ is excluded from ministry. The general picture could be that the LORD created perfection and man’s sin has produced imperfection in nature and in daily activity. The LORD abhors imperfection. What we have here is symbolism of that imperfect situation. It is imperfection against perfection. Our journey towards perfection should not be riddled with imperfect articles, especially articles that are involved in reproduction – a primary function on the blessing of increase and fruitfulness.
Partaking of the holy meals is restricted. Again the picture we get is that the holiness of the priest is to be protected from pollution. It is mind boggling that the LORD had actually intended all to be priests. Today saints are said to be priests, regardless of gender. Is there something to be learnt from these restrictions? Who are we mingling with? Who do we share meals with? Who we marry and produce children with is a question with similar answers to what we find in this chapter.
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