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!
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.
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