DCLM Daily Manna: September 19, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi - Not For The Unclean

Topic: Not For The Unclean — Tuesday September 19, 2017.

Text: Leviticus 22:1-16

Key Verse: "Say unto them, Whosoever he be of all your seed among your generations, that goeth unto the holy things, which the children of Israel hallow unto the LORD, having his uncleanness upon him, that soul shall be cut off from my presence: I am the LORD"( Leviticus 22:3)

Robert Murray McCheyne wrote to Dan Edwards after the latter’s ordination as a missionary that: "In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God".

From our text, the Lord warned the house of Aaron against making unholy use of dedicated things. Specifically, the Lord commanded Aaron to ensure any of the priest’s children who had any uncleanness was disallowed from eating hallowed food dedicated by the Lord’s people until such a person is cleansed and cleared accordingly. The consequence of violating those commandments could lead to premature or sudden death.

Strangers, visitors or hired servants (except those bought with money) are prohibited from eating holy things dedicated to the Lord. The lesson we’re learning here is that God is holy and therefore cannot bear with any one of His children who is spiritually defiled. Sin is evil and should be seen to be evil. The application today is that God will not give hallowed things to unclean, immoral and defiled servants of His.

The scripture says: "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine..." (Matthew 7:6). In the same vein, God will not receive money or donations from unclean and unholy sources. The fact that ceremonial laws have been done away with together with the Old Testament rituals is not an excuse for vicars, pastors and shepherds to encourage their children who are publicly accused of immoral and riotous behaviour to do any manner of service in the sanctuary of God. His moral requirement and His demand for purity, especially in the house of God, has not changed.

Thought for the day: A holy minister is an awesome weapon in the hand of God.

Bible Reading in one Year: Numbers 29-30