Introduction
Imagine tents stretching out as far as the eye can see. A cool desert breeze moves softly through the camp in the early morning. In the distance stands the clear center of Israel’s camp, a structure surrounded by white linen walls. Moving closer, priests can be seen washing themselves before a bronze laver just outside the tent.
Moses received very clear instructions regarding cleanness. These instructions reflected the seriousness with which Israel was to approach the Lord God. The priests carefully cleansed themselves before entering for service so that they would not defile the dwelling place of God. Severe consequences followed if these instructions were disregarded.
The holy and pure God required the people of Israel to reflect upon both His holiness and their own condition. Even those dwelling far from the center of the camp were at times required to become clean before approaching it. Israel was called to be holy and set apart for the holy God, directing their thoughts toward the seriousness of approaching Him.
Cleansing Before Nearness
Among the tribes of Israel, one tribe was uniquely called to serve God and belonged especially to Him (Numbers 3:12). The Levites and priests had to remain clean. They could not approach the sanctuary while unclean because God is holy and they served before Him in His dwelling place (Leviticus 21).
God is holy beyond comprehension. The difference between mankind and God is beyond what we can fully grasp. Yet God graciously provided Israel with means of consecration so that they could approach Him rightly. We do not initiate nearness toward God by our own will; He calls people toward Himself. Aaron himself did not take the honor upon himself, but was called by God (Hebrews 5:1–4).
In these washings and acts of cleansing we see preparation for appearing before God.
Clean and Unclean
Imagine a young boy running wildly through a field, adventurous and covered in dust after a day of play. As his growling stomach finally leads him home, his mother stops him at the entrance. His shoes must first be removed before entering the house.
In the same way, God gave Israel clear instructions regarding what was considered clean and unclean (Leviticus 11–16). The problem was not uncleanness in itself. In scripture, the remedy was often simple: washing and waiting for a period of time. After cleansing, the person could once again freely enter the camp and participate among the people.
The problem arose in defiling the dwelling place of God. The closer one moved toward the house of the Lord, the greater the danger of defiling it. Special care was therefore taken whenever people approached before the Lord.
The Danger of Defilement
Many children have witnessed the anger of a mother who has just cleaned a floor only to discover muddy footprints trailing behind someone entering the house. Mud itself is not evil. In some circumstances it is even useful. Yet mud does not belong on a floor meant to be clean.
In a similar way, uncleanness became a serious matter regarding the dwelling place of God because it defiled the holy place where He dwelt among His people. The severity of this matter is seen in the consequences attached to it. God warned Israel that uncleanness could defile His dwelling place, and judgment would follow (Leviticus 15:31).
A People Set Apart
God chose to dwell among the people of Israel and called them into His ways. After generations spent in Egypt, Israel had to change deliberately and purposefully. Where they once naturally followed one pattern of living, they were now called to think and act differently.
Israel was not to carry the practices of Egypt with them, nor were they to adopt the ways of the nations around them. They were called to become a people set apart for God. The laws concerning cleanness continually reminded Israel of the purity of the God dwelling among them.
If God is pure and holy, should not His people also desire purity before Him? Israel was therefore called to cast off the ways of the nations and walk in the ways of the God who brought them out of Egypt.
What This Reveals About God
These laws reveal something important about the nature of God Himself. God is holy. He is unchanged and constant (James 1:17). He is distinct from creation, pure in all His ways and completely righteous.
The seriousness surrounding cleanness in Israel demonstrated how seriously God regards holiness. The issue was never merely external washing, but the attitude of approaching God with reverence and care. God did not allow His dwelling place to be treated casually.
Although believers now live under grace through Christ, God’s holiness has not diminished. The same holy God still calls His people toward purity, reverence and obedience. Why would those who love God desire to grieve Him through careless living?
Christ the Pure Sacrifice
In these instructions we see a clear pattern for how Israel was to approach the living God. A specific group was chosen to care for His dwelling place and to oversee sacrifices concerning atonement and justification.
Christ fulfilled these things perfectly. He lived a spotless life, approached the Father in complete obedience and presented the perfect sacrifice before God. He walked the path of holiness perfectly before the Father. Because He was pure and without blemish, He alone could bear the sins of others.
As believers follow Christ, we too are called to walk in holiness and purity before God.
The Combined Picture
God desires fellowship with His people. He desires that we dwell with Him and enter into communion with Him. Yet approaching a holy God is not something casual or careless.
The purity laws given to Israel demonstrated the seriousness of preparing to approach the presence of God. Christ came and opened the way for us, showing us how to walk before the Father and making purification possible through Himself. Through Him, the message of reconciliation has gone out into the world, calling people into fellowship with the living God.
With joy and reverence we are therefore called to walk before Him in holiness, as those invited into His presence. We do not become holy through our own strength. God Himself works within His people through the Holy Spirit, sanctifying them and shaping them into a people fit for His presence. As believers walk with Christ, they are continually being conformed toward holiness by the work of God within them.
Holiness, cleansing, sacrifice and nearness all come together in Christ, who makes a way for His people to dwell with God.