I don't like tattoos. Though I am a Graphic Artist, I personally think tattoos mar the beauty of the human body. However, both my nephews have tattoos (plus, my niece has her tongue pierced and her lower lip pierced), and a friend of mine, who is a strong Christian, has both arms covered in tattoos (though he got them before he was saved, and he regrets the tattoos now).
Leviticus 19:28 even says, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord." However, this was a command from God, specifically to the Israelites, after they had left Egypt as former slaves. They were going to the Promised Land, which was Canaan. Canaan was currently occupied by pagans who practiced child sacrifices and other horrendous acts. God did not want His followers---His people---to disfigure their bodies after the manner of the pagans. Lacerations and disfigurement were common among pagans as signs of mourning, and to secure the attention of their deity. God wanted His people to be separate from these pagans.
Not only that, but the verse before (verse 27) says, "Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." This is a prohibition still followed by orthodox Jews today. Yet, this verse demonstrates that these commands were for a specific people. I don't know of any Christians who believe that if you cut your hair, you are sinning. In fact, when I was attending Bob Jones University, they had a rule that your hair could not touch your collar or your ears, and your bangs had to be at least an inch above your eyebrows. I was told that someone actually used the verse mentioned above (or possibly a similar verse) to try to keep from getting a haircut! However, I think they still made him get his hair cut.
Many Christians today would consider a tattoo parlor an ungodly place. Yet here is a guy who apparently uses the art of tattooing for the glory of God:
Showing posts with label Leviticus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leviticus. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Friday, March 14, 2008
Leviticus: More than just a bunch of boring laws
According to dictionary.com, the idea of quarantine began in 1663, when a ship suspected of carrying disease was kept in isolation.
But God introduced the idea of quarantine to the Israelites sometime between 1406 and 1446 B.C. when He told Moses and Aaron:
"If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days." (Lev. 13:4)
According to dictionary.com, the idea of 'mold' began around 1100-1200 A.D. and the idea of mildew being a kind of fungus began in 1340 A.D. And only in the last 40 or so years have we begun to understand the dangers of mold and mildew on the respiratory system, causing allergies, asthma, respiratory infections, etc.
But again, in Leviticus 13, God not only gives the Israelites very detailed instructions on how to identify mold and mildew, but also gives explicit details on how to get rid of it.
In addition, Lev. 11:32-40 contains measures to prevent contamination of food and water supplies. The same principles govern present-day public health regulations.
But then, the Bible says this:
"The priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot. He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the infectious disease and pronounce him clean. Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields." (Lev. 14:4-7)
After giving such practical advice, which shows a knowledge of microbiology thousands of years before man even discovered microorganisms, suddenly it sounds like Leviticus is turning to superstitious ceremony.
Ah, but a closer look shows that this is not the case at all.
- The hyssop plant contains thymol, which is used as an antiseptic and a fungicide, as well as a preservative. It also contains carvacrol, which is a disinfectant and a fungicide. Hyssop has been used to relieve respiratory symptoms. Doctors use medications containing thymol and carvacrol to treat respiratory infections, remove parasites, and cleanse the body of many types of infection, fungus and bacteria.
- Cedar wood contains a substance used in medicine for skin diseases. For example, red cedar has been used to make a poultice or oil from its inner bark to treat skin diseases, including topical fungal infections and warts.
Leviticus 13 and 14 talks about leprosy, infectious skin disease, and mold. In a spiritual sense, all of these are representative and symbolic of sin. Mildew and infectious skin disease are contaminants which spread, as sin is a contaminant which spreads.
- Hyssop: they put a sponge on the stalk of the hyssop plant and put it to Jesus' lips when He was on the cross.
"A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips." (John 19:29)
- Cedar wood represents the cross.
- Scarlet yarn: Matt. 27:28 says that they put a scarlet robe on Jesus. Though the scarlet yarn could presumably represent the blood of Jesus as well, the color scarlet has also been used biblically to represent sin. Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
- Clay pot: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (II Cor. 4:7) As far as killing the bird over a clay pot, Jesus (God the Son) came down as a man [God formed man from clay: "the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground..." (Gen. 2:7)] to die for us.
- The bird's blood is a foreshadowing of the final/ultimate blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus.
- Releasing the bird signifies freedom from sin.
But God introduced the idea of quarantine to the Israelites sometime between 1406 and 1446 B.C. when He told Moses and Aaron:
"If the spot on his skin is white but does not appear to be more than skin deep and the hair in it has not turned white, the priest is to put the infected person in isolation for seven days." (Lev. 13:4)
According to dictionary.com, the idea of 'mold' began around 1100-1200 A.D. and the idea of mildew being a kind of fungus began in 1340 A.D. And only in the last 40 or so years have we begun to understand the dangers of mold and mildew on the respiratory system, causing allergies, asthma, respiratory infections, etc.
But again, in Leviticus 13, God not only gives the Israelites very detailed instructions on how to identify mold and mildew, but also gives explicit details on how to get rid of it.
In addition, Lev. 11:32-40 contains measures to prevent contamination of food and water supplies. The same principles govern present-day public health regulations.
But then, the Bible says this:
"The priest shall order that two live clean birds and some cedar wood, scarlet yarn and hyssop be brought for the one to be cleansed. Then the priest shall order that one of the birds be killed over fresh water in a clay pot. He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. Seven times he shall sprinkle the one to be cleansed of the infectious disease and pronounce him clean. Then he is to release the live bird in the open fields." (Lev. 14:4-7)
After giving such practical advice, which shows a knowledge of microbiology thousands of years before man even discovered microorganisms, suddenly it sounds like Leviticus is turning to superstitious ceremony.
Ah, but a closer look shows that this is not the case at all.
- The hyssop plant contains thymol, which is used as an antiseptic and a fungicide, as well as a preservative. It also contains carvacrol, which is a disinfectant and a fungicide. Hyssop has been used to relieve respiratory symptoms. Doctors use medications containing thymol and carvacrol to treat respiratory infections, remove parasites, and cleanse the body of many types of infection, fungus and bacteria.
- Cedar wood contains a substance used in medicine for skin diseases. For example, red cedar has been used to make a poultice or oil from its inner bark to treat skin diseases, including topical fungal infections and warts.
Leviticus 13 and 14 talks about leprosy, infectious skin disease, and mold. In a spiritual sense, all of these are representative and symbolic of sin. Mildew and infectious skin disease are contaminants which spread, as sin is a contaminant which spreads.
- Hyssop: they put a sponge on the stalk of the hyssop plant and put it to Jesus' lips when He was on the cross.
"A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips." (John 19:29)
- Cedar wood represents the cross.
- Scarlet yarn: Matt. 27:28 says that they put a scarlet robe on Jesus. Though the scarlet yarn could presumably represent the blood of Jesus as well, the color scarlet has also been used biblically to represent sin. Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
- Clay pot: "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (II Cor. 4:7) As far as killing the bird over a clay pot, Jesus (God the Son) came down as a man [God formed man from clay: "the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground..." (Gen. 2:7)] to die for us.
- The bird's blood is a foreshadowing of the final/ultimate blood sacrifice of Christ Jesus.
- Releasing the bird signifies freedom from sin.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Leviticus 11: Ancient Israel's Dietary Laws
Before microscopic organisms or germs were discovered, God gave the ancient Israelites dietary laws which not only had spiritual significance, but would also protect them and help them to survive as a nation. These laws preserved the sanctity of Israel as God's holy people. Though the idea of uncleanness typified sin and defilement, it also protected the Israelites from diseases they may have otherwise become the victims of. Remember, all of this was given by God to Moses and Aaron thousands of years before infectious diseases were discovered, or the microscope was invented.
Following are a few examples:
"The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you." (Lev. 11:6)
Tularemia (also known as rabbit fever or deerfly fever) is an infectious disease in ticks and rabbits that is caused by a bacterium (Francisella tularensis). The disease was first described in Japan in 1837. Approximately 150-300 tularemia cases are reported in the United States annually, with a majority of those from Alaska, Arkansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The bacteria F. tularensis is a hazard to laboratory staff that work closely with rabbits. Note: as few as 5-10 bacteria can result in disease.
http://www.beaglesunlimited.net/rabbithunting_tularemia.htm
"And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you." (Lev. 11:7-8)
In ages past, pork could cause trichinosis. Modern food preparation techniques help prevent this. Pigs are also host to various parasites. In addition, pork is unhealthy since its even higher in fat than beef. For an explanation of trichinosis, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichinosis
"But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to detest." (Lev. 11:10)
Unclean 'fish' such as eels generally contain more parasites than fish with scales. Even today, shellfish often causes food poisoning and enteritis. For example, see: http://www.ifremer.fr/docelec/doc/1992/acte-1595.pdf
"These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey..." (Lev. 11:13)
Carnivorous animals readily transmitted infection in a warm climate where flesh decayed rapidly. Vermin and predatory birds were likely disease carriers.
Those kosher laws from God were like an ancient version of our Food and Drug Administration, protecting public health by preventing the consumption of unhealthy foods. Yet, their purpose was also to maintain spiritual purity, and served as another way to separate Israel, God's chosen people, from the idolatrous and pagan nations around them.
Following are a few examples:
"The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you." (Lev. 11:6)
Tularemia (also known as rabbit fever or deerfly fever) is an infectious disease in ticks and rabbits that is caused by a bacterium (Francisella tularensis). The disease was first described in Japan in 1837. Approximately 150-300 tularemia cases are reported in the United States annually, with a majority of those from Alaska, Arkansas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The bacteria F. tularensis is a hazard to laboratory staff that work closely with rabbits. Note: as few as 5-10 bacteria can result in disease.
http://www.beaglesunlimited.net/rabbithunting_tularemia.htm
"And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you." (Lev. 11:7-8)
In ages past, pork could cause trichinosis. Modern food preparation techniques help prevent this. Pigs are also host to various parasites. In addition, pork is unhealthy since its even higher in fat than beef. For an explanation of trichinosis, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichinosis
"But all creatures in the seas or streams that do not have fins and scales—whether among all the swarming things or among all the other living creatures in the water—you are to detest." (Lev. 11:10)
Unclean 'fish' such as eels generally contain more parasites than fish with scales. Even today, shellfish often causes food poisoning and enteritis. For example, see: http://www.ifremer.fr/docelec/doc/1992/acte-1595.pdf
"These are the birds you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, the red kite, any kind of black kite, any kind of raven, the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey..." (Lev. 11:13)
Carnivorous animals readily transmitted infection in a warm climate where flesh decayed rapidly. Vermin and predatory birds were likely disease carriers.
Those kosher laws from God were like an ancient version of our Food and Drug Administration, protecting public health by preventing the consumption of unhealthy foods. Yet, their purpose was also to maintain spiritual purity, and served as another way to separate Israel, God's chosen people, from the idolatrous and pagan nations around them.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
