11"Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days.
12They must purify themselves with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then they will be clean. But if they do not purify themselves on the third and seventh days, they will not be clean. - P42
19The man who is clean is to sprinkle those who are unclean on the third and seventh days, and on the seventh day he is to purify them. Those who are being cleansed must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and that evening they will be clean.
20But if those who are unclean do not purify themselves, they must be cut off from the community, because they have defiled the sanctuary of the Lord. The water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, and they are unclean.
21This is a lasting ordinance for them. "The man who sprinkles the water of cleansing must also wash his clothes, and anyone who touches the water of cleansing will be unclean till evening. - P43
This passage provides the reason for the cleansing water. Any person who touches a dead body remains unclean for seven days and must purify themselves using clean water with some of the heifer’s ashes mixed in. One everyday example that might help us understand this concept is how we literally wash our hands after handling something that is covered in germs - P44
In today’s passage, the cleanliness God demands concerns more than individual persons: an unclean person can make others around them unclean. Therefore, the Israelites must carefully follow God’s instructions for cleansing and anyone who neglects to do so is cut off from the community. - P44
Under the new covenant, we, too, must be mindful of how we might negatively impact those around us, especially our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. - P44
This portion of the Law describes the situations that cause uncleanliness, the purification procedure, and the penalty in case of failure to follow that procedure. The instructions for how to properly apply the ashes are specifically laid out. A man who is ceremonially clean helps with the procedure, but this man also has to ensure that he is clean afterward. Anyone who does not purify themselves is cut off from the community because they are defiling the sanctuary of God. - P44
We are blessed because God sent His Son Jesus Christ to cleanse us by His blood. - P44
We were not able to purify ourselves, but because of Him, we are declared clean. - P44
Those who receive this cleansing from Jesus are purified, but those who refuse this cleansing cannot remain in the presence of the holy God. - P44
Heavenly Father, You are pure and holy. Your Word is perfect, yet I have disobeyed it many times. Cleanse me and purify me so that I may experience the joy and sweetness of living in Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen. - P44
Israel arrives at Kadesh, where Miriam dies. The people, lacking water, grumbleagainst Moses and Aaron. God instructs Moses to speak to a rock for water, but Moses strikes it instead. Water flows, but God rebukes Moses and Aaronfor their lack of trust, barring them from entering the promised land. Theplace is named Meribah. - P47
The men‘s feelings and actionsare different based on what they remember and trust. Influenced by histhoughts and trials, the first man forgets why he trusted the provider in thefirst place. The second man, by continuing to remember and trust, keeps hisparachute on and anticipates what was promised. Like the second man, letus not forget God‘s past faithfulness toward us lest we also forget His futurepromises. - P49
Let us hold fast to Jesus Christ, who died for our sins so that wecould enter into a relationship with Him. - P49
May we not dwell on doubts butwholeheartedly cling to Jesus who saved us. Even in discomfort, may wewait patiently for God to fulfill His guaranteed promises. - P49
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