Friday, July 26, 2013

Without the Camp



Numbers 5:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2  Command the children of Israel, that they put out of the camp every leper, and every one that hath an issue, and whosoever is defiled by the dead: 3  Both male and female shall ye put out, without the camp shall ye put them; that they defile not their camps, in the midst whereof I dwell.

God directed His servant Moses to keep the camps of Israel clean and pure. Since the Lord walked in the camp, He didn't want to be stepping in something or defiled by something or someone who was unclean. Lepers, animal remains, human waste, all were to be placed outside the camp.

Oh how miserable to be one of these folks cut off from the people. Outside of the camp were loneliness, longing and lovelessness. There, away from the joy and the parties and the music, one would sit in outer darkness where he would gnash his teeth in pity.

But, thanks to grace, Jesus went without the camp - Heb 13:13, outside of the gates of the city, to be crucified for the lost, the lonely and unloved. There He compelled them to come in, cleansed the filthy and drew them to Himself.

I was outside the camp, banished because of my uncleanness when I heard a sweet voice calling to me, "come unto me all who are weary, and I will give you rest."

I am now one of the in crowd, because Christ came outside the camp seeking for me. Praise God!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I praise God for Jesus Christ, and His outpouring of love and mercy. We can easily become distracted in our homes and ministries from what is defiled to God. May we never lose focus on the work of the ministry and the great calling He has on our lives. To lead in a way that makes Him proud and gives Him a honor and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 That you would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.