Leviticus 12: The previous chapter showed us that the world around us is filled with unclean things and we can be contaminated by contact with them. The external character of sin is characterized by the physical elements of certain animals, fish, birds, and insects and all dead things. Sin is all around us. It is everywhere in this lost world.
This chapter is going to show that we are imperfect and in need of reconciliation with Elohim. We cannot reconcile with Him on our own because we are imperfect creatures trying to reconcile to an infinitely perfect Elohim. We will not be fully reconciled with Him until the resurrection. Paul speaks of this also (1 Cor. 15:50-58).
(Lev 12:1 NASB) Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
(Lev 12:2 NASB) “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘When a woman gives birth and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean for seven days, as in the days of her menstruation she shall be unclean.
Lev 12:2: The woman is unclean because of the blood involved in the childbirth. It says she is unclean in the same manner “as in the days of her menstruation.”
(Lev 12:3 NASB) ‘And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
Lev 12:3: Much research has been performed examining the biological processes that lead to blood clotting. The healing of a wound is dependent upon swift clotting of blood. If a wound continues to bleed, it is very susceptible to infection. The two most important factors in blood clotting are Vitamin K and Prothrombin. These two items are at their highest levels on the eighth day of an infants life. They are at the level of 110% of normal. This means that typically, one of the best times for a person to have minor surgery such as this is on their eighth day of life.
Elohim does not give just random instructions and commands. He gives them with a purpose and with His provisions.
(Lev 12:4 NASB) ‘Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary, until the days of her purification are completed.
Lev 12:4: Yeshua was also circumcised on the eighth day. Then Yeshua was brought to the temple when Mary’s days of purification were over (Luke 2:21-23).
A woman who has a male son is not to touch any consecrated thing or enter the Tabernacle until the days of her purification are over.
(Lev 12:5 NASB) ‘But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean for two weeks, as in her menstruation; and she shall remain in the blood of her purification for sixty-six days.
Lev 12:5: The cleansing time for a female child was twice as much as the cleansing for a male child. There is not a reason given for this. I have read several explanations for this. But one explanation made the most sense.
The mother probably goes through the purification rite for her self and for her daughter. It is not necessary to go through the purification for the son because he is cleansed through the process of circumcision.
(Lev 12:6 NASB) ‘And when the days of her purification are completed, for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the doorway of the tent of meeting, a one year old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering.
(Lev 12:7 NASB) ‘Then he shall offer it before the LORD and make atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, whether a male or a female.
(Lev 12:8 NASB) ‘But if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons, the one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.'”
Lev 12:8: When Mary gave birth to Yeshua, she and Joseph were very poor. She gave two turtle doves as an offering (Luke 2:24).
Patrick McGuire
Copyright 2014 Patrick McGuire and Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly All rights reserved, no portion of this Lesson may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations in articles and reviews. Beit Yeshua Torah Assembly Fort Smith, Arkansas