Confessional Lutheran Ministerium

Psalm 89:30-52 NKJV

³⁰ “If his sons forsake My law
And do not walk in My judgments,
³¹ If they break My statutes
And do not keep My commandments,
³² Then I will punish their transgression with the rod,
And their iniquity with stripes.
³³ Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him,
Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.
³⁴ My covenant I will not break,
Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips.
³⁵ Once I have sworn by My holiness;
I will not lie to David:
³⁶ His seed shall endure forever,
And his throne as the sun before Me;
³⁷ It shall be established forever like the moon,
Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah

³⁸ But You have cast off and abhorred,
You have been furious with Your anointed.
³⁹ You have renounced the covenant of Your servant;
You have profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.
⁴⁰ You have broken down all his hedges;
You have brought his strongholds to ruin.
⁴¹ All who pass by the way plunder him;
He is a reproach to his neighbors.
⁴² You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries;
You have made all his enemies rejoice.
⁴³ You have also turned back the edge of his sword,
And have not sustained him in the battle.
⁴⁴ You have made his glory cease,
And cast his throne down to the ground.
⁴⁵ The days of his youth You have shortened;
You have covered him with shame. Selah

⁴⁶ How long, Lord?
Will You hide Yourself forever?
Will Your wrath burn like fire?
⁴⁷ Remember how short my time is;
For what futility have You created all the children of men?
⁴⁸ What man can live and not see death?
Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave? Selah

⁴⁹ Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses,
Which You swore to David in Your truth?
⁵⁰ Remember, Lord, the reproach of Your servants—
How I bear in my bosom the reproach of all the many peoples,
⁵¹ With which Your enemies have reproached, O Lord,
With which they have reproached the footsteps of Your anointed.

⁵² Blessed be the Lord forevermore!
Amen and Amen.

Psalm 89 beautifully recounts God’s covenant with David, a promise of an everlasting kingdom through his lineage. Yet, in verses 30–52, the psalmist shifts to a tone of lament. He wrestles with the tension between God’s promises and the apparent reality of divine discipline and suffering.

The psalm acknowledges that when God’s people forsake His law and break His statutes, He will chastise them. God’s discipline is not a sign of abandonment but of His steadfast love. As a faithful Father, He corrects His children to draw them back to Himself. Though His rod of discipline may sting, it is always wielded for our good, to produce repentance and restoration.

The psalmist also affirms God’s unchanging character. Despite the people’s unfaithfulness, God’s covenant with David stands firm, grounded in His eternal faithfulness (v. 33). Even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises, we are reminded that His Word is unbreakable, for He has sworn it by His holiness (v. 35).

Yet, the psalmist is honest about his pain and confusion. He cries out, asking how long God’s wrath will burn and why His anointed one has been cast down (vv. 46–49). This raw lament teaches us that it is not wrong to bring our questions and sorrows before the Lord. Faith does not mean suppressing our struggles but bringing them to the God who hears and cares.

As Christians, we find the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant with David in Jesus Christ, the eternal King. Though David’s earthly throne faltered, Christ reigns forever. His life, death, and resurrection assure us that God’s promises are true and that His steadfast love endures.

When we face times of discipline or difficulty, Psalm 89 reminds us to trust in God’s faithfulness. His covenant love never wavers, and His plans for His people will not fail. Let us cling to His promises, even in the midst of trials, knowing that His purposes are always for our good and His glory.

Let us pray: Faithful God, thank You for Your unchanging promises and steadfast love. Help us to trust in Your faithfulness, even when life is hard, and to find hope in the eternal reign of Christ. Amen.

Leviticus 16:23-34; 17:1-16 NKJV

²³ “Then Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of meeting, shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. ²⁴ And he shall wash his body with water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people. ²⁵ The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar. ²⁶ And he who released the goat as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp. ²⁷ The bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp. And they shall burn in the fire their skins, their flesh, and their offal. ²⁸ Then he who burns them shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterward he may come into the camp.

²⁹ “This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. ³⁰ For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. ³¹ It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. ³² And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister as priest in his father’s place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the holy garments; ³³ then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. ³⁴ This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.” And he did as the Lord commanded Moses.

17 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Speak to Aaron, to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which the Lord has commanded, saying: ³ “Whatever man of the house of Israel who kills an ox or lamb or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, ⁴ and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting to offer an offering to the Lord before the tabernacle of the Lord, the guilt of bloodshed shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people, ⁵ to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices which they offer in the open field, that they may bring them to the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to the priest, and offer them as peace offerings to the Lord. ⁶ And the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and burn the fat for a sweet aroma to the Lord. ⁷ They shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot. This shall be a statute forever for them throughout their generations.” ’

⁸ “Also you shall say to them: ‘Whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, ⁹ and does not bring it to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, to offer it to the Lord, that man shall be cut off from among his people.

¹⁰ ‘And whatever man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who eats any blood, I will set My face against that person who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. ¹¹ For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’ ¹² Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘No one among you shall eat blood, nor shall any stranger who dwells among you eat blood.’

¹³ “Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; ¹⁴ for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’

¹⁵ “And every person who eats what died naturally or what was torn by beasts, whether he is a native of your own country or a stranger, he shall both wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. Then he shall be clean. ¹⁶ But if he does not wash them or bathe his body, then he shall bear his guilt.”

God’s instructions to Israel in these verses reveal His holiness and His desire for His people to live in reverence and obedience. The themes of atonement and the sacredness of life stand at the heart of these chapters, reminding us of the cost of sin and the provision of forgiveness through blood.

The Day of Atonement ceremony concludes with the high priest washing and changing his garments before reentering the camp. This cleansing symbolized the separation between sin and holiness. The rituals of this day were to be observed yearly, providing atonement for both the people and the tabernacle, which was defiled by their sins. God’s command to make this a permanent statute reflected His commitment to dwell among His people, even though they were sinful.

In chapter 17, the focus shifts to the sanctity of blood. God instructed that all sacrifices must be brought to the tabernacle and offered to Him (3–5). This command ensured that worship remained centered on God and not corrupted by pagan practices. It also reminded the Israelites that life belongs to the LORD, for “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (11).

Blood was not only sacred but also the means of atonement. God declared, “It is the blood that makes atonement for the soul” (17:11). This truth points directly to Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Through His sacrifice and faith in Him, we have been cleansed and reconciled to God.

The prohibition against eating blood (17:12–14) underscored the value of life and taught the people to honor the Creator who gives it. This reverence for life serves as a reminder to us today that we are stewards of God’s creation, called to respect His design and purpose in all things. As we reflect on these passages, we are reminded of the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the grace He provides through atonement. Let us live in gratitude for the life given for us and for forgiveness through faith in Christ. Let us pray: Holy God, thank You for the atonement provided through the blood of Jesus. Help us live in reverence for You, honoring the life and salvation You have given us. Amen.

Leviticus 16:1-22 NKJV

16 Now the Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they offered profane fire before the Lord, and died; ² and the Lord said to Moses: “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.

³ “Thus Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with the blood of a young bull as a sin offering, and of a ram as a burnt offering. ⁴ He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on. ⁵ And he shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two kids of the goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering.

⁶ “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. ⁷ He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. ⁸ Then Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for the Lord and the other lot for the scapegoat. ⁹ And Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell, and offer it as a sin offering. ¹⁰ But the goat on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord, to make atonement upon it, and to let it go as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

¹¹ “And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself. ¹² Then he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from the altar before the Lord, with his hands full of sweet incense beaten fine, and bring it inside the veil. ¹³ And he shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the Testimony, lest he die. ¹⁴ He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

¹⁵ “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, bring its blood inside the veil, do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. ¹⁶ So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness. ¹⁷ There shall be no man in the tabernacle of meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, that he may make atonement for himself, for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel. ¹⁸ And he shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord, and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around. ¹⁹ Then he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, cleanse it, and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

²⁰ “And when he has made an end of atoning for the Holy Place, the tabernacle of meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat. ²¹ Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a suitable man. ²² The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16:1–22, stands as one of the most profound moments in Israel’s worship life. Through this ceremony, God provided a means for His people to be cleansed of their sins and restored to fellowship with Him. This sacred day began with Aaron, the high priest, entering the Most Holy Place—a space he was forbidden to enter on any other day lest he die (v. 2). He was to bring offerings both for himself and for the people, highlighting that even the high priest required cleansing. Dressed in simple, holy garments, Aaron was reminded that his authority came not from his position but from God’s grace.

Central to the ceremony were two goats. One was sacrificed as a sin offering, and its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat (v. 15), to illustrate the covering of sin and the satisfaction of God’s justice. The second goat, known as the scapegoat, was presented alive. Aaron laid his hands on its head, confessing over it all the iniquities of the people. This goat was then sent into the wilderness, bearing their sins far away (v. 21-22).

These two goats paint a vivid picture of what Christ has done for us. Through His blood, shed on the cross, He has atoned for our sins, fulfilling the justice of God. Through our faith in Him, He has carried our sins far away, like the scapegoat, removing them “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12).

The Day of Atonement was not merely about ritual but about restoration. It reminded God’s people of their sinfulness and their need for His mercy. Yet, it also pointed to the complete and final atonement made by Jesus, our Great High Priest, who entered not a sanctuary made with hands but heaven itself to appear in the presence of God for us (Hebrews 9:24).

Let us live each day in gratitude for the perfect atonement accomplished through Christ. Through faith in Him, He has cleansed us, removed our guilt, and brought us near to God. Let us pray: Gracious God, thank You for the perfect atonement made through Jesus. Help us to trust in His sacrifice for us and live in the joy and freedom of Your forgiveness. Amen.

Leviticus 14:33-57 NKJV

³³ And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: ³⁴ “When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession, ³⁵ and he who owns the house comes and tells the priest, saying, ‘It seems to me that there is some plague in the house,’ ³⁶ then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes into it to examine the plague, that all that is in the house may not be made unclean; and afterward the priest shall go in to examine the house. ³⁷ And he shall examine the plague; and indeed if the plague is on the walls of the house with ingrained streaks, greenish or reddish, which appear to be deep in the wall, ³⁸ then the priest shall go out of the house, to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days. ³⁹ And the priest shall come again on the seventh day and look; and indeed if the plague has spread on the walls of the house, ⁴⁰ then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which is the plague, and they shall cast them into an unclean place outside the city. ⁴¹ And he shall cause the house to be scraped inside, all around, and the dust that they scrape off they shall pour out in an unclean place outside the city. ⁴² Then they shall take other stones and put them in the place of those stones, and he shall take other mortar and plaster the house.

⁴³ “Now if the plague comes back and breaks out in the house, after he has taken away the stones, after he has scraped the house, and after it is plastered, ⁴⁴ then the priest shall come and look; and indeed if the plague has spread in the house, it is an active leprosy in the house. It is unclean. ⁴⁵ And he shall break down the house, its stones, its timber, and all the plaster of the house, and he shall carry them outside the city to an unclean place. ⁴⁶ Moreover he who goes into the house at all while it is shut up shall be unclean until evening. ⁴⁷ And he who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes, and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.

⁴⁸ “But if the priest comes in and examines it, and indeed the plague has not spread in the house after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. ⁴⁹ And he shall take, to cleanse the house, two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. ⁵⁰ Then he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water; ⁵¹ and he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. ⁵² And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and the running water and the living bird, with the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet. ⁵³ Then he shall let the living bird loose outside the city in the open field, and make atonement for the house, and it shall be clean.

⁵⁴ “This is the law for any leprous sore and scale, ⁵⁵ for the leprosy of a garment and of a house, ⁵⁶ for a swelling and a scab and a bright spot, ⁵⁷ to teach when it is unclean and when it is clean. This is the law of leprosy.”

When we think about holiness, the cleansing of houses, as described in these verses, may not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, this passage demonstrates that God’s concern for purity extends to every part of our lives, including the places we dwell. The instructions for addressing a house plagued with leprosy teach us that sin and defilement are not only personal but can affect our surroundings. When the priest came to examine a house, it wasn’t merely about structural issues; it symbolized a deeper reality. The defilement of the house served as a visible reminder of how sin corrupts and spreads.

If a house showed signs of the plague, stones were removed, walls scraped, and new materials brought in to replace the old. If the infection persisted, the entire house was destroyed (v. 43–45). This drastic action underscores the seriousness of dealing with defilement. There could be no compromise, no tolerance for what would ultimately destroy. Similarly, we are called to address sin in our lives and homes without hesitation, rooting it out completely so it does not corrupt further.

Yet, even in this stern process, we see God’s mercy. If the plague was removed, the house could be declared clean. The ritual involved two birds, cedarwood, scarlet, and hyssop—elements pointing to cleansing, life, and restoration. One bird was killed, and its blood was sprinkled on the house, while the other was released (v. 49–53). This act not only symbolized purification but also pointed forward to the ultimate cleansing we have through Christ’s sacrifice.

God’s care for the homes of His people reminds us that our faith is not confined to specific rituals or places. His holiness touches every part of our lives. As we seek to follow Him, we are called to dedicate not only ourselves but also our homes to His service, ensuring they are places of purity, peace, and worship. May we trust in God’s provision for cleansing, knowing that through Jesus, we are made clean and restored to fellowship with Him.

Let us pray: Holy God, thank You for cleansing us and calling us to lives of purity. Help us make our homes places where You are honored, and Your holiness is reflected. Amen.

Leviticus 14:10-32 NKJV

¹⁰ “And on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish, three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and one log of oil. ¹¹ Then the priest who makes him clean shall present the man who is to be made clean, and those things, before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. ¹² And the priest shall take one male lamb and offer it as a trespass offering, and the log of oil, and wave them as a wave offering before the Lord. ¹³ Then he shall kill the lamb in the place where he kills the sin offering and the burnt offering, in a holy place; for as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass offering. It is most holy. ¹⁴ The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. ¹⁵ And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. ¹⁶ Then the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before the Lord. ¹⁷ And of the rest of the oil in his hand, the priest shall put some on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the blood of the trespass offering. ¹⁸ The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed. So the priest shall make atonement for him before the Lord.

¹⁹ “Then the priest shall offer the sin offering, and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed from his uncleanness. Afterward he shall kill the burnt offering. ²⁰ And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the grain offering on the altar. So the priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean.

²¹ “But if he is poor and cannot afford it, then he shall take one male lamb as a trespass offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, one-tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, a log of oil, ²² and two turtledoves or two young pigeons, such as he is able to afford: one shall be a sin offering and the other a burnt offering. ²³ He shall bring them to the priest on the eighth day for his cleansing, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, before the Lord. ²⁴ And the priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the Lord. ²⁵ Then he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. ²⁶ And the priest shall pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand. ²⁷ Then the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before the Lord. ²⁸ And the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of the right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the place of the blood of the trespass offering. ²⁹ The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before the Lord. ³⁰ And he shall offer one of the turtledoves or young pigeons, such as he can afford— ³¹ such as he is able to afford, the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, with the grain offering. So the priest shall make atonement for him who is to be cleansed before the Lord. ³² This is the law for one who had a leprous sore, who cannot afford the usual cleansing.”

The detailed instructions in this passage for the cleansing of a leper who has been healed reveal God’s provision for restoration and the depth of His mercy toward those who have been defiled. The process required for the restoration of the leper included offerings of animals, fine flour, and oil. These offerings varied depending on the person’s means, highlighting God’s compassion. He made a way for everyone, regardless of wealth, to approach Him and be restored. The requirement of both sin and burnt offerings underscores that the cleansing of the leper was not merely physical but also spiritual. Defilement touched the whole person, and only through God’s provision could restoration be complete.

The ritual included anointing with oil, symbolizing consecration. The priest applied oil to the cleansed person’s right ear, thumb, and big toe—the same places anointed during the ordination of priests (Exodus 29:20). This act signified that the cleansed individual was now set apart to hear God’s Word, act according to His will, and walk in His ways—a reminder that God’s cleansing renews our entire being for His service.

Another striking aspect of this passage is the way it reflects the grace and generosity of God. He not only healed the leper but also provided a path back into the community and worship. For the one who could not afford the regular offerings, the Lord made provisions so that even the poorest could fully participate in the cleansing and restoration. This foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose blood was shed for all, regardless of status or ability to give.

As we reflect on this passage, we are reminded of our own spiritual cleansing through Jesus. Just as the healed leper needed a priest to offer sacrifices on their behalf, we rely on Jesus, our great High Priest, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. Through Him, we are made clean and brought into fellowship with God and His people. Let us pray: Merciful Lord, thank You for cleansing us through the sacrifice of Jesus. Help us to live as people set apart for Your service, walking in Your ways and glorifying Your name. Amen.

Leviticus 13:47-59; 14:1-9 NKJV

⁴⁷ “Also, if a garment has a leprous plague in it, whether it is a woolen garment or a linen garment, ⁴⁸ whether it is in the warp or woof of linen or wool, whether in leather or in anything made of leather, ⁴⁹ and if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment or in the leather, whether in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a leprous plague and shall be shown to the priest. ⁵⁰ The priest shall examine the plague and isolate that which has the plague seven days. ⁵¹ And he shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, in the leather or in anything made of leather, the plague is an active leprosy. It is unclean. ⁵² He shall therefore burn that garment in which is the plague, whether warp or woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather, for it is an active leprosy; the garment shall be burned in the fire.

⁵³ “But if the priest examines it, and indeed the plague has not spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, ⁵⁴ then the priest shall command that they wash the thing in which is the plague; and he shall isolate it another seven days. ⁵⁵ Then the priest shall examine the plague after it has been washed; and indeed if the plague has not changed its color, though the plague has not spread, it is unclean, and you shall burn it in the fire; it continues eating away, whether the damage is outside or inside. ⁵⁶ If the priest examines it, and indeed the plague has faded after washing it, then he shall tear it out of the garment, whether out of the warp or out of the woof, or out of the leather. ⁵⁷ But if it appears again in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a spreading plague; you shall burn with fire that in which is the plague. ⁵⁸ And if you wash the garment, either warp or woof, or whatever is made of leather, if the plague has disappeared from it, then it shall be washed a second time, and shall be clean.

⁵⁹ “This is the law of the leprous plague in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp or woof, or in anything made of leather, to pronounce it clean or to pronounce it unclean.”

14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest. ³ And the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall examine him; and indeed, if the leprosy is healed in the leper, ⁴ then the priest shall command to take for him who is to be cleansed two living and clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. ⁵ And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water. ⁶ As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood and the scarlet and the hyssop, and dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. ⁷ And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose in the open field. ⁸ He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and wash himself in water, that he may be clean. After that he shall come into the camp, and shall stay outside his tent seven days. ⁹ But on the seventh day he shall shave all the hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows—all his hair he shall shave off. He shall wash his clothes and wash his body in water, and he shall be clean.

The laws in Leviticus concerning leprosy may seem distant and obscure to us today. Yet, as we reflect on these verses, we see how God’s holiness touches every aspect of life, even the garments we wear and the rituals for cleansing. These passages remind us of His desire for purity among His people and His provision for restoration.

In chapter 13, the focus is on garments affected by leprosy. The meticulous instructions for inspection, isolation, and potential destruction of infected clothing reflect God’s concern for the community’s well-being. What seems mundane serves as a vivid illustration of how sin, like leprosy, defiles and spreads. Just as the infected garment is either cleansed or destroyed, sin must be dealt with thoroughly to preserve spiritual health.

Moving into chapter 14, we find a beautiful picture of restoration. For the person healed of leprosy, the cleansing ritual involved two living birds—One bird was killed, and its blood was used to cleanse the person, while the living bird was released into the open field (4–7). This imagery speaks of both the cost of cleansing and the freedom granted through it. The scarlet and hyssop remind us of the blood of Christ, which cleanses us from all sin (Heb 9:22). After the cleansing ritual, the person bathed, washed their clothes, and shaved off all hair. This act symbolized a fresh start, renewal of life and restoration to the community. It’s a reminder that God not only forgives but also restores us to fellowship with Him and His people.

Though we no longer live under the Old Testament ceremonial laws, the principles remain relevant. Sin defiles, separates, and destroys, but God’s provision through Christ brings cleansing and restoration. Just as the leper’s cleansing required sacrifice and blood, our salvation comes at the cost of Christ’s blood, shed for us on the cross. May we live each day in gratitude for God’s gift of cleansing, walking in newness of life and seeking to reflect His holiness.

Let us pray: Holy God, thank You for cleansing us from sin through the blood of Your Son. Help us live as Your renewed and restored people, reflecting Your holiness in all we do. Amen.

Psalm 89:6-18 NKJV

⁶ For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord?
Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord?
⁷ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints,
And to be held in reverence by all those around Him.
⁸ O Lord God of hosts,
Who is mighty like You, O Lord?
Your faithfulness also surrounds You.
⁹ You rule the raging of the sea;
When its waves rise, You still them.
¹⁰ You have broken Rahab in pieces, as one who is slain;
You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.

¹¹ The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;
The world and all its fullness, You have founded them.
¹² The north and the south, You have created them;
Tabor and Hermon rejoice in Your name.
¹³ You have a mighty arm;
Strong is Your hand, and high is Your right hand.
¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Mercy and truth go before Your face.
¹⁵ Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!
They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance.
¹⁶ In Your name they rejoice all day long,
And in Your righteousness they are exalted.
¹⁷ For You are the glory of their strength,
And in Your favor our horn is exalted.
¹⁸ For our shield belongs to the Lord,
And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD? The psalmist exalts the uniqueness and majesty of God, declaring that no one compares to Him. Psalm 89:6-18 lifts our eyes to the heavens, reminding us that the LORD is not only powerful but also faithful to His promises. In a world filled with fleeting allegiances and broken commitments, this passage draws us to the steadfastness of our God.

The psalmist begins with a vision of the heavenly council, where even the mightiest angels revere God (v. 6-7). He is “greatly to be feared” and “awesome above all.” This awe is not terror but the proper recognition of God’s holiness, power, and majesty. As the Creator, He established the earth and the seas. The raging waves, so untamable to man, are calmed by His word (v. 9).

The psalm continues by recounting God’s acts of salvation. Rahab—a poetic name for Egypt—was crushed by His power (v. 10). This reminds us of the Exodus, where God redeemed His people with an outstretched arm. His right hand, a symbol of strength, continues to guide and protect His people.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne (v. 14). Unlike human rulers, whose decisions are often clouded by selfishness or error, God’s rule is perfect. Mercy and truth go before Him, surrounding His every action. When we feel the weight of injustice in this world, we can take comfort that our God reigns with absolute righteousness.

The psalm ends with a declaration of blessing for those who know “the joyful sound” (v. 15). To walk in the light of His countenance is to live in fellowship with Him, guided by His Word and rejoicing in His presence. His strength becomes our strength, His favor our shield (v. 17-18).

Let us live each day in the assurance of God’s faithfulness, confident that He who holds the heavens also holds our lives. Let us pray: Faithful God, we praise You for Your steadfast love and power. Help us walk in Your light, trusting in Your righteousness and rejoicing in Your mercy. Amen.

 Psalm 88:1-18 NKJV

88 O Lord, God of my salvation,
I have cried out day and night before You.
² Let my prayer come before You;
Incline Your ear to my cry.

³ For my soul is full of troubles,
And my life draws near to the grave.
⁴ I am counted with those who go down to the pit;
I am like a man who has no strength,
⁵ Adrift among the dead,
Like the slain who lie in the grave,
Whom You remember no more,
And who are cut off from Your hand.

⁶ You have laid me in the lowest pit,
In darkness, in the depths.
⁷ Your wrath lies heavy upon me,
And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah
⁸ You have put away my acquaintances far from me;
You have made me an abomination to them;
I am shut up, and I cannot get out;
⁹ My eye wastes away because of affliction.

Lord, I have called daily upon You;
I have stretched out my hands to You.
¹⁰ Will You work wonders for the dead?
Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah
¹¹ Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave?
Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction?
¹² Shall Your wonders be known in the dark?
And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

¹³ But to You I have cried out, O Lord,
And in the morning my prayer comes before You.
¹⁴ Lord, why do You cast off my soul?
Why do You hide Your face from me?
¹⁵ I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth;
I suffer Your terrors;
I am distraught.
¹⁶ Your fierce wrath has gone over me;
Your terrors have cut me off.
¹⁷ They came around me all day long like water;
They engulfed me altogether.
¹⁸ Loved one and friend You have put far from me,
And my acquaintances into darkness.

The Christian life is a life of joy and peace. We revel in the love God has for us, and in the knowledge of His fatherly wisdom and care. We’ve seen His love on display in giving His Son into death for our sins. We are confident that all things must work together for good to those who love God. But that doesn’t mean that we always experience joy or peace, or that the Christian never experiences moments of loneliness, sadness, and near despair. Psalm 88 is a comforting example of such experiences in the life of a believer—comforting, because it’s real. To portray the Christian life as always happy, never sad, never desperate, is to deceive people. The real Christian life includes the themes expressed in Psalm 88.

When you’re suffering, when it seems as if you have no friends, when the weight of your troubles seems unbearable, and the Lord appears deaf to your cries, turn to Psalm 88 and pray it. And let it remind you that the despondency you’re feeling is giving you just the smallest taste of what the Lord Jesus Himself was feeling most acutely from the evening of Maundy Thursday until the “It is finished!” of Good Friday. Because, though His words on Good Friday were few, Christ spoke of it ahead of time through the prophets, including the author of this Psalm.

Consider especially these verses: “Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?” These seem to be rhetorical questions, to which the answer is, “No, You will not work wonders for the dead. They will not arise and praise You, nor will Your faithfulness be declared in hell. Therefore, O Lord, You must help me before I die!” But in the death and resurrection of Christ, and even in His descent into hell to declare the Lord’s faithfulness there, we see the beginning of a different answer: “No trouble, not even death, cannot separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Therefore, even in your darkest days, turn to the Lord in hope, and He will show you the ray of light you need to see. Let us pray: O Lord, You alone can help me. Preserve me in the darkness and show me again the light of life! Amen.

Leviticus 13:21-46 NKJV

²¹ But if the priest examines it, and indeed there are no white hairs in it, and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days; ²² and if it should at all spread over the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore. ²³ But if the bright spot stays in one place, and has not spread, it is the scar of the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

²⁴ “Or if the body receives a burn on its skin by fire, and the raw flesh of the burn becomes a bright spot, reddish-white or white, ²⁵ then the priest shall examine it; and indeed if the hair of the bright spot has turned white, and it appears deeper than the skin, it is leprosy broken out in the burn. Therefore the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore. ²⁶ But if the priest examines it, and indeed there are no white hairs in the bright spot, and it is not deeper than the skin, but has faded, then the priest shall isolate him seven days. ²⁷ And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day. If it has at all spread over the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore. ²⁸ But if the bright spot stays in one place, and has not spread on the skin, but has faded, it is a swelling from the burn. The priest shall pronounce him clean, for it is the scar from the burn.

²⁹ “If a man or woman has a sore on the head or the beard, ³⁰ then the priest shall examine the sore; and indeed if it appears deeper than the skin, and there is in it thin yellow hair, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a scaly leprosy of the head or beard. ³¹ But if the priest examines the scaly sore, and indeed it does not appear deeper than the skin, and there is no black hair in it, then the priest shall isolate the one who has the scale seven days. ³² And on the seventh day the priest shall examine the sore; and indeed if the scale has not spread, and there is no yellow hair in it, and the scale does not appear deeper than the skin, ³³ he shall shave himself, but the scale he shall not shave. And the priest shall isolate the one who has the scale another seven days. ³⁴ On the seventh day the priest shall examine the scale; and indeed if the scale has not spread over the skin, and does not appear deeper than the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. He shall wash his clothes and be clean. ³⁵ But if the scale should at all spread over the skin after his cleansing, ³⁶ then the priest shall examine him; and indeed if the scale has spread over the skin, the priest need not seek for yellow hair. He is unclean. ³⁷ But if the scale appears to be at a standstill, and there is black hair grown up in it, the scale has healed. He is clean, and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

³⁸ “If a man or a woman has bright spots on the skin of the body, specifically white bright spots, ³⁹ then the priest shall look; and indeed if the bright spots on the skin of the body are dull white, it is a white spot that grows on the skin. He is clean.

⁴⁰ “As for the man whose hair has fallen from his head, he is bald, but he is clean. ⁴¹ He whose hair has fallen from his forehead, he is bald on the forehead, but he is clean. ⁴² And if there is on the bald head or bald forehead a reddish-white sore, it is leprosy breaking out on his bald head or his bald forehead. ⁴³ Then the priest shall examine it; and indeed if the swelling of the sore is reddish-white on his bald head or on his bald forehead, as the appearance of leprosy on the skin of the body, ⁴⁴ he is a leprous man. He is unclean. The priest shall surely pronounce him unclean; his sore is on his head.

⁴⁵ “Now the leper on whom the sore is, his clothes shall be torn and his head bare; and he shall cover his mustache, and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ ⁴⁶ He shall be unclean. All the days he has the sore he shall be unclean. He is unclean, and he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.

This chapter contains God’s instructions for the diagnosis and treatment of lepers. The skin disease of leprosy was the only disease to which such elaborate instructions were attached, so clearly God had something important to teach the people through these laws.

Leprosy was an infection of the flesh, one that spread, one that stubbornly refused to heal. The priests, as those who were to be most familiar with the instructions of the Law, were the ones in charge of diagnosing this disease, not for the purpose of curing it, nor for the purpose of preventing the spread of it, but for the purpose of guarding the tabernacle and the community from ceremonial uncleanness. So serious was God about preserving the ceremonial cleanness of the community that He ordered the lepers to live outside the camp and shout their uncleanness as a warning to all who passed by.

We miss the point if we view these laws purely, or even principally, as medicinal guidelines for preventing the spread of disease. The truth is, God permitted some people to be infected with leprosy to teach the community a vital lesson about “the flesh,” that is, the sinful, infected, diseased flesh that all men inherit from their parents, going back to sinful Adam and Eve.

Lepers exhibited on the outside the disease that infects all men on the inside, the inborn corruption of our very souls. It’s not only the sinful words we speak or the sinful deeds we do, but also the ugly, raw, diseased state of our natural soul that makes us unclean before our God. It’s the natural lack of true fear, love, and trust in God, and the natural presence of evil desires and hostility toward God that infect us and make us unable to approach God in His holiness.

But as the Lord Jesus displayed many times during His earthly ministry, He came to cleanse the lepers, too. He came to wash sinners clean by His blood, through Holy Baptism, cleansing us not only of the things we’ve done, but of the sinful people we are by nature. Now let us daily drown the Old Man through contrition and repentance and allow the New Man to arise and live forever before God in righteousness and purity. Let us pray: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew me with a willing spirit to serve You always. Amen.

Leviticus 12:1-8; 13:1-20 NKJV

12 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ² “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean. ³ And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. ⁴ She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled.

⁵ ‘But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her customary impurity, and she shall continue in the blood of her purification sixty-six days.

⁶ ‘When the days of her purification are fulfilled, whether for a son or a daughter, she shall bring to the priest a lamb of the first year as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove as a sin offering, to the door of the tabernacle of meeting. ⁷ Then he shall offer it before the Lord, and make atonement for her. And she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who has borne a male or a female.

⁸ ‘And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.’ ”

13 And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: ² “When a man has on the skin of his body a swelling, a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes on the skin of his body like a leprous sore, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons the priests. ³ The priest shall examine the sore on the skin of the body; and if the hair on the sore has turned white, and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin of his body, it is a leprous sore. Then the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean. ⁴ But if the bright spot is white on the skin of his body, and does not appear to be deeper than the skin, and its hair has not turned white, then the priest shall isolate the one who has the sore seven days. ⁵ And the priest shall examine him on the seventh day; and indeed if the sore appears to be as it was, and the sore has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall isolate him another seven days. ⁶ Then the priest shall examine him again on the seventh day; and indeed if the sore has faded, and the sore has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scab, and he shall wash his clothes and be clean. ⁷ But if the scab should at all spread over the skin, after he has been seen by the priest for his cleansing, he shall be seen by the priest again. ⁸ And if the priest sees that the scab has indeed spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.

⁹ “When the leprous sore is on a person, then he shall be brought to the priest. ¹⁰ And the priest shall examine him; and indeed if the swelling on the skin is white, and it has turned the hair white, and there is a spot of raw flesh in the swelling, ¹¹ it is an old leprosy on the skin of his body. The priest shall pronounce him unclean, and shall not isolate him, for he is unclean.

¹² “And if leprosy breaks out all over the skin, and the leprosy covers all the skin of the one who has the sore, from his head to his foot, wherever the priest looks, ¹³ then the priest shall consider; and indeed if the leprosy has covered all his body, he shall pronounce him clean who has the sore. It has all turned white. He is clean. ¹⁴ But when raw flesh appears on him, he shall be unclean. ¹⁵ And the priest shall examine the raw flesh and pronounce him to be unclean; for the raw flesh is unclean. It is leprosy. ¹⁶ Or if the raw flesh changes and turns white again, he shall come to the priest. ¹⁷ And the priest shall examine him; and indeed if the sore has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean who has the sore. He is clean.

¹⁸ “If the body develops a boil in the skin, and it is healed, ¹⁹ and in the place of the boil there comes a white swelling or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it shall be shown to the priest; ²⁰ and if, when the priest sees it, it indeed appears deeper than the skin, and its hair has turned white, the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a leprous sore which has broken out of the boil.

For today’s devotion, we’ll focus on the laws concerning a woman’s uncleanness and purification after giving birth. Leviticus 12 reminds us that ceremonial uncleanness was not always the result of sin or disobedience. In the case of a mother giving birth, the uncleanness was purely ceremonial, as was the atonement that had to be made for her “flow of blood” (12:7). By adding these regulations, God was in no way discouraging the children of Israel from having children. Instead, He was teaching them certain lessons through these external laws, lessons that were to keep them watching and waiting eagerly for the birth of a very special Child.

First, they were to pay attention to the fact that there was a difference depending on whether the woman gave birth to a boy or a girl. Her purification time was cut in half if she gave birth to a boy. Therefore, the Israelites should expect the long-promised Savior, through whom all nations would be blessed, to be a boy, and should eagerly await His birth, through whom alone can man’s spiritual uncleanness before God be removed.

Second, the uncleanness connected to a woman’s flow of blood was to remind them that there was something special about blood, a primary purpose for it, even more important than giving birth, even more important than flowing through one’s veins and keeping a person alive. They were to associate blood with atonement and the forgiveness of sins. As the writer to the Hebrews notes, “According to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22). In this case, the most precious blood in the world would be the blood that the Messiah would shed, for “with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Heb. 9:12-14). Let us pray: Lord God, we thank You for redeeming us, not with gold or silver, but with the holy, precious blood of Your beloved Son. Amen.