Leviticus 15

The Explanation

Long, long ago, God's people lived in tents. Little tents all around, and one big tent in the middle. That big tent was God's tent. Moses and Aaron took care of it.

Sometimes a body did not feel well. Something came out of it, and that made a person unclean. Not sick with a fever, just unclean. Like sticky, or dirty, and needing water.

If someone was unclean, they had to wash. Wash their clothes. Wash their whole body, with water. Cool, clean water, running over their skin. Then they had to wait. Wait until evening came, until the sky turned dark.

If they touched their bed, that bed was unclean too. If someone else touched it, they had to wash as well. Water, water, and more water.

After many days, when the person was clean again, they walked to God's big tent. They carried two little birds, soft and gray, in their hands. They gave the birds to the priest, at the door of the tent.

The priest took the birds. He made everything right again, before God. Then the person could come close. Close to God's tent, close to where God lived among His people.

What Does This Mean?

God cared about His people's bodies. He cared about their water, their beds, their clothes. Small things mattered to Him.

God wanted His people near Him, but clean. Not far away, forgotten. Near, and washed, and welcome.

The Common Thread

Long after this, Jesus came. Jesus touched people no one else would touch. Sick people. Unclean people. And they became clean, just by His hand.

Jesus is like clean water for us. He washes what is dirty inside. He does not push us away. He calls us close.

For You

Do you wash your hands before you eat? Water feels good, splashing and cool.

Every time you wash, you can think of God. He loves clean things. He loves you, and He calls you close, just like He called His people close to His tent.

Talk About It

Why did the people have to wash with water before they went to God's tent?

What did Jesus do for people who were sick or unclean?

Praying Together

Dear God, Thank You for water. Thank You that You want me close to You. Wash me clean, on the inside. Thank You for Jesus, who touches even the ones no one else will touch. Amen.