I have read (in several commentaries and Bible Study sources) that personal sin (defilement) not only affected the person involved, but also tainted the Tabernacle of God as well.
So I thought … “I will search the Scriptures, the Old Testament Law, and learn more.”
If I had to choose just one verse, for consideration of this thought, it would be Leviticus 15:31, on the cusp of the Day of Atonement Legislation, beginning in Leviticus 16:1.
“Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from THEIR UNCLEANNESS they die not in their uncleanness, when they DEFILE MY TABERNACLE that is among them.” Leviticus 15:31
That noun “uncleanness” is spelled “tumah” in Hebrew. And it is a summary term for all the “violations” of God’s Purity/Holiness Code discussed in Leviticus chapters 11-15.
Things like “bodily discharges” and “boils or lesions” on one’s skin or even “mold/mildew” (translated as “leprosy” in our King James Version) on the walls of one’s home!
And these things … here it is in black and white, in the infallible Word of God … “defile our Lord’s Tabernacle!”
Case settled!
Question answered!
And it is partly for this reason that the exercises of the Day of Atonement were instituted. Proof needed? “And he shall make an ATONEMENT FOR THE HOLY PLACE, because of the UNCLEANNESS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, and because of THEIR TRANSGRESSIONS in all THEIR SINS: and so shall he do FOR THE TABERNACLE of the congregation.” Leviticus 16:16
Wow!
Of course the other “job/ministry” that is accomplished on that great Day of Atonement is the “covering” of the Nations of Israel’s sins (for another year)!
All the BLOODSHED on that great Day … to both (1) cleanse the Tabernacle and (2) to cleanse the people!
Praise the Lord!
More about this idea of personal and/or national “Atonement” Monday in our Lesson, the Lord willing.
But for this morning … think of the implications of the two verses I’ve referenced above!
My personal (and often considered “small”) transgressions (shortcomings, lack of purity … partly due to being human) can taint the very House of God!
That might mean, in principle anyway, that if I go to Church with loads (maybe even shreds) of unconfessed sins, failures to “abstain” from the appearance of evil … I can hinder the Service that day!
Retard the working of God the Holy Spirit, by grieving or quenching Him! By being a dirty vessel! At Church, on the Lord’s Day!
No wonder some services seem so much “better” than others! And that atmosphere might not all depend on the Preacher or the particular Bible Text he’s expounding … but on the spiritual condition of the listeners!
Wow!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers.” At the Temple, in Nehemiah 9:2.
Let me add one more, still somewhat applicable … “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13
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