提要
本章是與以色列百姓個人衛生有關的重要實際法規。不過，這些條例更重要的目的是使他們與周圍的異教國家有別，並確保他們禮儀上的潔淨。上帝很詳細、明確的教導他們，一個人如何會因某些漏症而成為不潔淨。這些要求促使以色列人在生活的所有領域中，不斷認識上帝和祂的聖潔。如果一個人不潔淨，就表示他或她不能進入會幕，也不能參與會幕裡的任何活動。這些禮法今天已不再有效，因為我們進入了新約時代，但聖經都是上帝所默示的（提後3：16），我們仍可從這些舊約律法中學到某些原則。
如果一個男人或女人有不正常的漏症（被傳染、出血、或婦女經期過長）那麼他們和他們直接接觸到的每一樣東西，在痊癒後還要算為不潔淨七天，然後他們要用活水洗身，帶著指定的祭物（15：13，14）到祭司那裡獻祭。至於自然的漏症就毋需獻祭，只要用水清洗；男人不潔淨到晚上，女人則不潔淨七日。
在馬太福音裡我們讀到有位婦人患了十二年的血漏，因此她是不潔淨的，不能參與任何宗教性的活動，她碰到誰，誰也就不潔淨了。這位婦人極欲恢復與上帝的關係，她曉得透過耶穌可以達成她的心願，所以她冒著危險摸了耶穌的衣裳繸子。我們慈悲的主不只醫好了她，還潔淨了她（太9：20~22）。
在當時的婚姻生活裡，夫妻同房後要用水洗澡，且不潔淨到晚上。之所以要考慮到這點，是因為當時會幕敬拜的活動非常頻繁，全民都必須參與。但這一點並不表示婚姻裡的性生活是不潔的；相反的，聖經教導我們婚姻之床不可污穢（來13：4）。不過，在這方面確實偶爾需要抑制和自我控制（出19：15），將上帝的事視為第一優先。這樣，一個人的生活才能保持平衡及正確的態度。
卅一節（鑰節）是直接對祭司說的話。上帝託付他們教導百姓各種條例的重責大任，免得有任何人以不潔淨之身進入會幕，玷污了上帝的聖所，而招來死亡。不潔淨使以色列人與上帝隔絕，罪也使我們與上帝分開。罪是一種最糟糕的不潔，因為除非有贖罪之祭使罪得赦免，否則罪將導致永遠的滅亡。死在罪中是一件很可怕的事，但上帝已經藉著祂的話警告我們，哪些事會帶來污穢，祂也透過耶穌基督為我們開了一條潔淨之路。「誰能站在祂的聖所﹖就是手潔心清的人」（詩24：3~4）。耶穌自己也說：「清心的人有福了，因為他們必得見上帝」（太5：8）。
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Overview
This is an important and practical section of the Israelite code dealing with personal hygiene. More importantly, however, the main purpose of these ruling was that their separation from the surrounding heathen nations and ceremonial holiness would be upheld. It was given by God to teach them, giving specific details as to how a person could become ceremonially unclean because of certain discharges. These requirements promote a constant recognition of God and His holiness in all areas of life. If one was unclean, this meant he or she could not enter the Tabernacle, nor participate in the activities there. These ceremonial laws are no longer effect today, as we are in the New Covenant era, but we can learn certain principles as we remember that all Scripture is God-breathed. (2 Tim. 3:16).
If there was an unnatural discharge of some sort from a man or woman (from infections, hemorrhaging, or a woman’s prolonged menstruation) then they, and everything they came into direct contact with, would be unclean until seven days after it had stopped. Then they were to wash in running water and bring the prescribed offerings (15:13, 14). For the natural discharges, no offerings were necessary; they were only to wash. In the case of a man, he would remain unclean until the next sunset; in the case of a woman, her uncleanness would last for seven days.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we read of a woman who had suffered from an unnatural flow of blood for twelve years. She was therefore unclean and could not participate in religious activities, not could she touch anyone without making them ceremonially unclean as well. Greatly desiring to be restored to communion with God, she rightly perceived this was available through Jesus, so she took the risk of touching the hem of His garment. Our compassionate Lord not only made her well, but also cleansed her (Matt. 9:20-22).
Following the natural act of marriage, the couples were to bathe and then remain unclean until the next sunset. This was to be taken into consideration, since much of community life was involved with worship at the tabernacle. It by no means implies that the marriage act is impure; on the contrary, the Bile teaches that the marriage bed is undefiled (Heb. 13:4). It does necessitate occasional restraint and self-control in this area (Ex. 19:15), considering the things of God first and foremost. In this way, one’s life is kept in balance and in right perspective.
The key verse (verse 31) is addressed directly to the priest. It put great responsibility upon them to teach these regulations, lest anyone in an unclean state enter the tabernacle and thereby defile it, bringing death through God’s justice and wrath. Just as uncleanness separated the Israelites from God, so does sin separate us from Him. Sin is the worst type of uncleanness, for unless atonement is made and forgiveness received, it leads to eternal death. It is a terrible thing to die in sin, but we have been adequately warned by God through His Word concerning those things which bring defilement, and He has graciously provided, through Jesus Christ, a way of cleansing. For “who may stand in His holy place? He who has cleans hands and a pure heart” (Ps. 24:3, 4). Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).
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