Leviticus 21 Commentary
Chapter 21 is written to display and highlight the holiness of the LORD.
The sanctuary systems were designed to reflect the holiness and perfection of the LORD, and they didn’t disappoint. The material specification for the golden box was pure gold. The animals selected met strict conditions such as sex, age, and physical wholeness. The flour was of the highest quality possible. The oil had its own special formula, and so did the fragrance.
They all emphasized the otherness of God.
In Chapter 21, we meet the conditions for qualification to be a priest or to serve as a high priest. The first station is the strange instruction for the priest never to come near a dead body.
Shocking? Not anymore. The LORD had mentioned death to Adam as the consequence of disobedience. The priest standing right in the presence of God must be far away from death. Death represents disobedience. Its very presence is the essence of sin.
Little wonder the LORD seems to love the death sentence for just about every serious sin. Man should not be left in doubt regarding his actual status: he is dead. The death sentence is a real-life movie depicting the realities behind the scenes.
You want to contrast death here with the life that the LORD Jesus gives. John puts it this way: “The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” John 11 verses 25 and 26. What a beautiful picture!
No defects. Not blind. Not Lame. Not disfigured. Not deformed. No. Broken foot or arm. Not hunchbacked. Not dwarfed. No defective eye. No damaged testicles. The worshipper must be perfect!
Earlier, monthly periods for women and nocturnal emission of semen for men were problems. Now crushed testicles are an issue. Note that these are important components in the reproduction system. It is this system that the LORD ordained to perpetuate life. It tells you one thing: Elements of nature aren’t in their best shape!
Hair is used to cover something. We can call it anointing. We can borrow the thought from Samson and assume that the anointing of the LORD had to be worn at all times. It is a standard requirement for the saint today. You don’t leave your anointing at church!
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